Owner/Creative Director
SERussell Digital Design & Illustration - Remote, Maine
September 26, 2020 - Current
D-U-N-S Number is 117836011
GS 12 - 1020 Illustrator (Civil Service)
Natick Labs US Army - Natick, MA
June 2009 to September 2020/ Hours per week: 40
Duties: Meets and consults with Writers, Engineers, and Technical Personnel to discuss and plan highly complex Warfighter and Soldier Support Systems: Personnel Parachutes, Cargo Parachutes, Field Equipment, etc
• Researches, studies, reviews and analyzes a variety of source materials, including photographs, engineering drawings and rough sketches to determine the appropriate graphic presentation
• Uses the most effective means to accomplish objectives and ensure that illustrations will be compatible with reproduction processes
• Accomplishes work either in-house or assign and direct Contractor
• Completes work assignments within short deadlines
• Resolved visual communication problems, improved operations and provided exceptional client support
• Collaborates with technical manual writers who are responsible for fitting series of illustrations to test to ensure greatest clarity and most immediate communication of complex technological ideas and principles to non-technical personnel
• Make on-the-spot sketches, photograph and graphic notes of configurations, locations and dimensions of equipment for development of technical manual illustrations
• Makes complete camera-ready copies of illustrations, bar charts, logic diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, and exploded and cutaway views of equipment using computer graphic printers, plotters, and pens
• Visualizes and represents, in pictorial terms, the function, operation, design characteristics, and maintenance concepts of assigned items
• Operates software to produce technically accurate two dimensional (2D) pictorial drawings and three dimensional models of a highly technical nature
• Work is accomplished through programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Corel Draw, etc.
• Acts as lead Illustrator, as required, on total illustration projects advising others in the production of illustrations, format and art media, to include the use of computer graphics software and methods of preparation
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Create original and new designs of complex and abstract nature for heraldic items such as: medals, decorations, agency seals, coats of arms, lapel emblems, shoulder insignia and band regalia for all branches of Armed Services, DOD, and other federal agencies
• Analyze the requestor's proposal for artistic potential, appropriate requirements, consistency with heraldic item regulations, manufacturing capabilities and limitations and production costs
• Create new patterns or makes adaptations of traditional and proposed patterns when new types of organizations are created from existing organizations
• Periodically reviews base drawings or the manufacture to ensure that the drawings are updated, the authorizations (new or changed), and the re-designation of units are current
• Prepare accurate drawings to develop and/or manufacture heraldic items
• Expert in the field of heraldry and orients visitors to the organization as well as heraldic art
• Create visual materials in conjunction with photographer, model maker, or other type of crafts person, to include illustrations, displays, exhibit photographs, typography, art, and photos in design solutions that convey the information, reproduction, and have visual impact
• Utilize specialized computer graphics or other advanced technology (Adobe Creative Suites, Corel Draw) combined with other materials to create interesting and appealing products
• Monitor Visual Information (VI) activities and advise managers and customers on products, services, productions, resources, and funding
• Developed new LOGSA Warning Icons for acceptance and will be added to the US Army-approved icon list within the Army MIL-STD-40051-2C, for use Army wide
• Clearance held: Secret
• Community Volunteer: https://www.army.mil/article/74772/natick_workers_continue_activity_book_for_heroes
Technical Illustrator/Contract/BAE Systems - Hudson, NH
February 2009 to June 2009/Hours per week: 40
Reporting to the Manager Support Engineering, working closely with the Technical Writers, Technical Support and Suppliers in order to define the standards and requirements to produce illustrations to be used by US Army Air Corps, for the CH47-D Chinook
• Responsible for production of illustrations required for Maintenance, Operational manuals and represent Technical Publications in all phases of the Engineering product development activities; Produce program and Technical Publications deliverables as per departmental schedule
• Developed creative illustrative designs using customer specifications, company standards and mathematical formulas to produce results that met customer parameters.
• Transformed ideas into high-quality training and visual creations to fulfill client requests.
• Determined appropriate designs for screen print and embroidery applications to create high-quality finished products
• Developed illustrative designs using customer specifications, company standards and mathematical formulas to produce results that met customer parameters
• Transported secret material as courier to customer locations
• Monitored social media and online sources for industry trends
• Resolved visual communication problems, improved operations and provided exceptional client support
• Maintained excellent attendance record, consistently arriving to work on time
Graphic Illustrator SER Art Consultation - Eliot, US, Maine
November 1998 to June 2009/Hours per week: 30-40
• Graphic Illustrator SER Art Consultation - Eliot, ME April 2006 to February 2009 Produces traditional and digital art including logos, technical illustration, gift ware, character designs, and monochromatic artwork; Develops, designs, plans, creates layouts, and produces technical and promotional illustrations for print & publications such as brochures, posters, manuals, handbooks, and advertising matter
• Selects techniques best suited to produce desired visual effects in conformance with established quality standards and specified reproduction medium; Makes orthographic, isometric, and perspective drawings; Uses engineering drawings, photographs, models, and rough sketches; Coordinates with users to determine illustration objectives and translates into graphic terms
• Illustrates tools, products, machines, buildings, and figures using two-and three- dimensional materials; Applies color, shading, and other art techniques to portray intended meaning; Coordinates visual information projects such as Computer Based Training and Interactive Courseware; Selects and implements the optimum of communication to ensure the timely, accurate, and understandable implementation of educational and command initiatives; Provides instruction and assistance in the selection of visual communication media
• Freelance clients include: Veterans Administration (Manchester, NH); SiGARMS/SiG Sauer (Seacoast, NH); Stock Visuals, Inc
• (Sudbury, MA); Vector Art Technologies/Roland (NY/CA); Wing Mau Products Development Ltd (China/NY); Body Graphics (Ontario, Canada Illustrator SER Art Consultation )
Graphic Illustrator/Portsmouth Naval Shipyard/Lockheed Martin/Contract
May 2005 to April 2006/Hours per week: 24
• 2006 Lockheed Martin Peer-to-Peer Award
• Develops, designs, plans, lays out, and produces a variety of technical and promotional illustrations for publications such as brochures, posters, manuals, handbooks, and advertising matter
• Selects techniques best suited to produce desired visual effects in conformance with established quality standards and specified reproduction medium
• Makes orthographic, isometric, and perspective drawings; uses engineering drawings, photographs, models, and rough sketches; coordinates with users to determine illustration objectives and translates into graphic terms; illustrates tools, products, machines, buildings, and figures using two-and three dimensional materials, and applying color, shading, and other art techniques to portray intended meaning
• Resolved Client problems, improved operations and provided exceptional client support
• Devoted special emphasis to punctuality and worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately
• Drove operational improvements which resulted in savings and improved profit margins
• Clearance: Interim Secret
Computer Graphic Specialist/NAS Oceana/VF-101/Contractor - Virginia Beach, VA
October 1991 to November 1998/Hours per week: 40
• Coordinator for visual information projects (Computer Based Training and Interactive Courseware)
• Selects and implements the optimum of communication to ensure the timely, accurate, and understandable implementation of educational and command initiatives • Provides instruction and assistance to military and civilian personnel in the selection of visual communication media
• Clearance held: Secret
Graphic Art Specialist/NAS Oceana/VF-101/Contractor
1988 April 1991 to October/Hours per week: 40
• Served as Visual Information Specialist of Computer Art and Graphics Division
• Clearance held: Secret