About Me

Designer and Illustrator that does a bit of everything. Passionate about design, animation and Education.

A Brief History

My name is Matt Smith and I am a multi faceted designer and college educator. I have a passion for all forms of art, and a passion for using many different mediums in which to create. I am naturally a people person, I enjoy interacting and learning about other people and what they do.

I believe each person plays an intricate part in making the world what it is, and through relationships we can be a part of that role. In creating relationships one of the most effective ways to transcend any form of barriers is through visual communication. My goal is to help people communicate, build relationships and bring their vision(s) to life so they can be seen and their dreams made a reality.

With over 8 years of experience as a freelance designer I have worked with a multitude of diverse clients all over the United States and some internationally. I am always striving to improve my craft and learn new things, its that passion that has made me the person I am today.


Strengths

  1. Professional.

  2. Self starter.

  3. Fast learner.

  4. Multi-tasker.

  5. Strong communicatior.

  6. Works well in a fast paced collaborative environment.


Skills Bar Chart

Below graphs what software and skill sets I am proficient in.

Photoshop
Illustrator
After Effects
Indesign
Education
  • Full Sail, Winter Park FL(2003 - 2004)
    Associates Degree in Computer Science (studied in Computer Animation)
  • Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester NY (2000 - 2002)
    Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts (studied in Illustration)
  • Munson Williams Proctor Institute, Utica NY (1998 - 2000)
    Associates Degree in Fine Arts
Employment History
  • Self Employed : Freelance Graphic Designer
    September 2004 / Present

    I have been an active freelance designer since 2004. I have worked with a wide range of clients and firms, gaining experience of working both on location and remotely with production teams. Below are some key projects that I have worked on.

  • Full Sail University : Course Director
    October 2004 / Present

    Research and development of course material and curriculum. Providing students with a class that gives them the ability to plan, coordinate, and study the assets that will be created for their demo reels through traditional and digital methods.

    Duties include creating instructional material/projects for design elements, art direction, digital art production, Photoshop techniques, planning with animatics, style frame design, workflow development, creating an engaging curriculum, developing grading rubrics, and developing class material.

    I currently manage a small team of four employees for my class.

    Present keynote lectures for the Finals Department forum on the art of freelance and running a small business.

     

Design firms / Clients
  • Bizzuka Inc. Lafayette, LA.
    December 2011-Current

    Working as a freelance graphic designer. Responsible for designing the concept, art direction and layout for websites. I design the home page layout in Photoshop then hand it over to the firm to finish the rest.

    Clients I have designed for: American Broadband, Amperical Solutions, Beier Radio, Burner Fire Control, C&E Boat Rentals, City of Gonzales, Cypress Point Surgical, Dept. of Corrections Credit Union, Dunn's Furniture & Interiors, Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Gastroenterology Associates, Generations Hospice, Instrument Piping Technologies, Javeler Construction, Jefferson Financial, Joule Energy, Juneau Marine, Keystone Energy Tools, Magnum Company, Melanie Massie, New Orleans Roast Coffee, Oil Country Tubular, Our Holy Cross Church, Safe Zone, St. James Parish, Texans Care for Children, Thomas J. Montegomery MD, Topcor, St. Roman Oil.
  • Nth Degree Visual Effects. Winter Garden, FL
    November 2011- February 2012

    Working as a freelance motion graphics artists on various projects. Responsible for rotoscoping footage, compositing, clean plating, creating assets for projects and style frame design.

    Projects included creating animated graphics for various Disney Store Displays and designing style frames and assets for a Planet Fitness commercial.
  • Goodspot. Hollywood, CA.

    August 2010-January 2011

    Designed title sequences, logos, bumpers, lower thirds, transitions, billing blocks and animated all graphics for trailers / TV spots. Projects included 16 Wishes (Disney Channel), The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation (Starz Channel), 2012 Documentary, and Real Life: The Musical (intro for pilot reality show).

  • Various Clients.

    2011-Current

    Lifestylized, Tracking Point, South East K-9 SAR Unit, K-9 Training Centers Inc, Wyverns Peak Publishing & Entertainment, Dioko Apparel, The Initiative Group, Inhale Jesus, Danitas Children and New Beginnings Church.


All images displayed are commercial and personal works and may not be used or duplicated without expressed written consent. © 2012 Matthew D. Smith All rights reserved.