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Freelance Graphic Designer at Self-Employed
Raúl Peña
Grand Rapids, MI
Available Now
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About
As a designer, I’m motivated by a good cause, the pursuit of beauty, and the development of interesting ideas. I have many years of experience working at digital and marketing agencies, as an in-house designer, independently in my freelance practice, and as a design professor.
My work has been said to have a lot of heart. It has also been described as logical or cerebral. I believe that when it comes to graphic design, this is the right blend: can we evoke, move or inspire without emotion?… convey complex ideas clearly without judicious reasoning? And aren’t these the very goals of graphic design?
I want you to get your message across and to have an impact. Let’s use our brains and hearts, together. -
Education
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Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Graphic DesignUniversity of Illinois at Chicago2010 - 2012
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Certificate Summer Poster WorkshopThe Basel School of Design (FHNW HGK)2011 - 2011
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BFA Graphic DesignEastern Michigan University2005 - 2010
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Web DesignWashtenaw Community College2008 - 2009Took courses on Web Technology
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A.A.S. Graphic DesignWashtenaw Community College2001 - 2003
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ArchitectureUniversidad de Los Andes1996 - 1999
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Experience
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Freelance Graphic DesignerSelf-EmployedJun 2009 - Present (15 years 6 months)Designer specializing in logo design, branding, print and web design, accessible web design, book design, and and Squarespace template customization. Clients have included Northwestern University, Girls Who Code, Ithaca College, Tift Merritt, S. Fischer Verlag (Germany), The Ann Arbor Film Festival, Christen Lien, Bella Voce, Magnanimous Media, among others.
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Senior Art DirectorJun 2020 - Apr 2024 (3 years 10 months)Worked as part of a team in the ideation and execution of campaign brands, corporate identities, higher ed institutional websites and more. Clients included the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Columbia University, and Saint Peter’s University, among others.
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Assistant Professor of Graphic DesignMIAug 2016 - Apr 2020 (3 years 8 months)Taught introductory to advanced courses in Graphic Design and Typography. Other responsibilities include course development, academic advising, scholarly activity/research, and service contributions to the department.
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Senior DesignerRazorfishApr 2014 - Nov 2014 (7 months)Worked, as part of a team, on a large digital campaign for Motorola and other large companies. Concept Development / Visual Design / Branding / Digital Banner Design (motion and static) for desktop and mobile screens.
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Senior DesignerChicago, ILJul 2012 - Sep 2012 (2 months)Worked as a visual designer, and as part of a team, in a large Web Design project for Hyatt Hotels. Visual Design / User Interface Design / Branding
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Contract InstructorStreet Level Youth MediaJul 2012 - Jul 2012Taught a week-long youth workshop (ages 8–14). The course focused on music visualization as an introduction to basic elements of graphic design.
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Graduate InstructorUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoAug 2011 - Apr 2012 (8 months)While completing my MFA at UIC, I taught an introductory Graphic Design course to first year undergraduate students.
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Contract DesignerSapientNitro2012 - 2012Worked as a visual designer, and as part of a team, in large and small interactive projects.
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Graphic DesignerOtherwise Incorporated2010 - 2011 (1 year)Worked as design contractor during the spring of 2010 and the summer of 2011.
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Graphic Design InstructorWashtenaw Community CollegeJan 2010 - Jul 2010 (6 months)Taught an introductory Graphic Design course, as well as a course on Adobe Illustrator.
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Graphic DesignerZingerman'sDec 2003 - Jun 2009 (5 years 6 months)Print and web designer. Designed and hand-coded websites using XHTM/CSS. Was Responsible for conceptualization, design direction and production of a wide variety of projects, ranging from newsletters and catalogs to packaging and illustration. Prepared graphics for print. Worked directly with printers.
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Graphic Design ContractorAnn Arbor Film FestivalJan 2007 - Aug 2008 (1 year 7 months)Designed the organization’s logo and the promotional material for the 45th and the 46th festivals.
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@rauldesign, member since 2007
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Following 53
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Followers 40
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