Boring name...
for a super designer.
My name may be boring, but I assure you I am not. Take a look at my work, and let's get to know one another.
Learn More About MeMore than just creative
A good designer must be creative, but a super designer is so much more. It's the 'more' that sets me apart – I'm a natural problem solver, leader and innovator when I approach design work.
Problem Solver
I once saved my company over $100K each year by changing an outdated process. Using that type of thinking is how I've developed a proven track record of finding innovative solutions for both everyday problems and complex projects.
Leader
I am a coach, a teacher, and a leader. Helping people recognize and grow their strengths while encouraging them to learn from and transform their weaknesses is big part of what makes me tick.
Good Natured
My fun natured and easy going personality allows me to make even the most stressful situations feel… well, less stressful. One meeting with me and you know I have your back.
Communicator
Not only do I explain technical things in a way that's easy for everyone to understand, I can summarize even the most difficult mumbo-jumbo, develop an action plan, and deliver outstanding results.
Experienced
With 20+ years of design work, I like to think I glean wisdom from my experiences working for a wide variety of clients, within many different industries and both large and small companies.
Well Rounded
My understanding of technology has served me well for years. Not only am I a master at the basic design software, my expertise in web design and development sets me apart.
Have no fear... Matt Brown is here
Ok, that was cheesy, but seriously, if you're looking for a creative thinker with innovative ideas and the technical skills to back it up, keep reading.
I'm an Art Director, Web Designer, Gentleman and Scholar... okay, maybe not a scholar. Much like everybody else, I want to succeed in life and I believe the best way to do that is to surround yourself with people who excel at what they do - people who are not content with an answer like "because that's the way we've always done it", people who not only think outside the box but take that box and transform it into something great, and free thinkers who inspire others to be the same. I seek to be surrounded by people like that - working for a company with a culture that breeds creativity, innovation and teamwork.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with some amazing people... and some, not so amazing ones. I've learned a lot from them about work but also about life. I have had the great fortune of designing for several industries: sign and graphics, retail, furniture, direct mail, travel & tourism and promotional products. This diversity has made me a superior designer and the experiences have molded me into the leader I am today. Along the way I learned a lot, but the one thing that stands out the most - Results. Results are the most important measure in this industry. I can make pretty pictures all day, but in the end, if those pretty pictures don't produce results, then I have wasted my time.
So, who am I exactly? I am passionate, hard-working and confident. I am confident my experience and expertise will be a valuable resource for not just any company, but the right company. Are you the right company? Contact me and let's find out! I look forward to speaking with you.
My Professional Work
Over the course of my career, I've done a lot of interesting and rewarding work. I've worked for really large companies like IBM, ESPN, and Goodyear Tires. I've also worked with some really small ones. Here are a few samples.
Professional Resume
Over the years I've picked up quite a few skills to brag about. Technical skills are a given in this line of work, but it's the soft skills I've honed over time that set me apart.
Technical Skills
HTML/CSS
Adobe Creative Suite
jQuery
UX Design
CSS Frameworks (Bootstrap & Foundation)
Soft Skills
Art/Creative Direction
Team Leadership
Brand Management
Training/Staff Development
Strategic Planning
Relevant Work Experience
- Drunken Easels is a Paint & Sip company, specializing in private parties and corporate events. I host both large and small event ranging from 80 participants for the local elementary PTA, to small kid's birthday parties. I've event painted a pig with the University of Maryland Women's Basketball Team.
- Successful in conceiving and designing website service program that would allow customers to customize templated websites by editing dynamically generated stylesheets. Dramatically expanding the product offering available to customers.
- Architected and worked closely with Development to implement an online portal that allows customers to manage every element of their SaaS software package.
- Redesigned signsearch.com, an online search directory dedicated to the Sign and Graphics industry. Greatly improved the user interface and added additional functionality to further enhance the customer experience.
- Managed all aspects of the companies re-branding efforts, including corporate website, intranet, customer-facing knowledge base, logo, and all printed collateral.
- Achieved the 2007 and 2008 GDUSA Award, Internal Campaign.
- Manage a team of award-winning Art Directors, providing design direction, coaching and HTML and CSS training while providing Web support for the Design Teams in two other locations.
- Successful in generating $40 million in additional business through collaborative efforts with e-Commerce IT group to expand proprietary e-store platform with the development of new functionality.
- Saved $4,500 in costs to a client by eliminating printed price list/order forms and created a downloadable from their promotional products e-store which reflected two different prices.
- Devised and applied a traffic system to facilitate project tracking.
- Constructed a company website while managing, training and mentoring younger designers.
- Orchestrated the purchase of a shared server to house all work in one central location.
- Implemented and maintained a backup system to prevent loss of files.
- Produced materials for RFPs that won roughly $5 Million in new business over two years.
- Art Director, Drexel Heritage Furnishings, Inc., Drexel, NC, 1997 - 2000
- Owner, Walnut Ridge Bed & Breakfast, Grantsville, MD, 2001 - 2004
- Corporal, United States Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune, NC, 1990 - 1994
- Served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
- Served in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia
- Awards: Letter of Commendation; Combat Action Ribbon; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon; Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3); Kuwait Liberation Medal