PO Box 874
Gypsum, CO 81637
(970) 987-6203
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlchiocca/
Summary
- Able to design high-quality, on-brand digital, e-mail, print, social media and web graphics from concept through completion.
- Well experienced with Adobe Creative Cloud including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat Pro.
- Able to manage all phases of print production from design through pre-press, bindery, distribution and mailing.
- Experienced with HTML, CSS, Joomla, e-commerce development, e-mail advertisement campaigns and online contests.
- Able to provide creative direction in-house and with clients, as an individual or as part of a team.
Work Experience
Manager & Section Lead
Gypsum Eagle Ace Hardware - Gypsum, Colorado
2019 to Present
In 2019, I started working as a Sales and Stock Associate part-time on the weekends helping customers and stocking inventory. In the Spring of 2024, I was hired full-time as a Manager and Section Lead. As a Manager, I am resposible for the opening and closing of the store, balancing the registers, preparing daily deposits, and assigning tasks to junior associates. As the Section Lead for the plumbing and HVAC department, I am responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, inventory, and ordering of all products within one of the largest departments in the store.
Graphic Designer
Swift Communications LLC, - Wheeling, West Virginia
2022 to 2023
Ogden Newspapers in Wheeling, West Virginia purchased Swift Communications Inc. in January 2022.
Graphic Designer
Swift Communications Inc. - Gypsum, Colorado
2018 to 2021
I worked closely with clients, ad directors, editors, publishers, marketing managers, and writers to design high-quality print and online advertisement campaigns, e-mail and web banners, annual reports, brochures, catalogs, logos, magazines, media kits, programs, sales collateral, trail and visitor guides, tradeshow graphics, book covers including interior page design, in a fast-paced environment using the latest Adobe Creative Cloud software. I followed through with online advertisement campaigns by designing and programming e-mail campaigns and online contests.
Clients included: Acres U.S.A., Art in Aspen, Beaver Creek Merchants Association, Explore Grand, Middle Park Fair & Rodeo, National Repertory Orchestra, Summer in Snowmass, Winter in Snowmass, Summit County Luxury Homes, Tahoe Bike, Tahoe Eat, Craig Press, Glenwood Springs Post Independent, Sky-Hi News, Steamboat Pilot & Today, Summit Daily News, The Aspen Times, Vail Daily
Creative Director
NPC News Magazine - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2003 to 2018
I was hired to update the overall design and print production of the National Physique Committee’s bimonthly magazine titled “NPC News” from being produced with traditional mechanical paste-ups, negative output and stripping, composite plate burns, and printed on a sheet-fed press, to being designed with the latest Adobe Creative Cloud software, output with the most recent PDF color profiles for CTP, and printed/distributed by one of the largest magazine publishers in the United States.
I was responsible for the creative design of all editorial pages and image spreads. I prepared all color-correction, retouching, and image composites. Managed all phases of print production from acquiring estimates and contracts, pre-press approvals, bindery, and nationwide mailing distribution.
I also managed receipt, preflight and page placement of all Advertiser files. I communicated directly with advertisers and design agencies on corrections required to ensure quality print reproduction.
President
Carl Chiocca, Creative Designs - Gypsum, Colorado
2000 to 2018
Operated and managed my own design studio providing creative solutions for small and large businesses. I worked directly with a wide range of clients to develop design, branding, and marketing strategies. Designed a variety of creative projects from logo and identity design, print and online advertisement campaigns, annual reports, brochures, catalogs, direct mail, menus, newsletters, packaging, publications, point-of-sale displays, signage, social media graphics, tradeshow graphics, including custom website design, e-commerce development, e-mail and social media marketing. Employed and trained a staff of in-house designers, programmers, and freelance illustrators. Coordinated and produced retail product photography for print, e-commerce and e-mail advertising.
Clients included: A Basket of Pittsburgh, Barclay Interiors, Ceramic he Tile & Stone, Cuppy Real Estate, Desbrow & Associates, Fitting Group, Morrison Kitchen & Bath, National Physique Committee, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, Thermo Shandon, YMCA.
Graphic Designer / Production Manager
John Brady Design Consultants - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1999 to 2000
Worked directly with the president, art directors, and account representatives to develop branding, marketing strategies, and design concepts for a range of clients. Created a wide variety of design projects from logo and identity design, advertising, annual reports, brochures, catalogs, direct mail, newsletters, packaging, publications, point-of-sale displays, and signage. Managed and trained a 4-person team of production artists to prepare all design layouts, illustrations, and photographic images for film output, PDF, print reproduction, and mailing.
Clients included: Bayer, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Magazine, Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh, GNC, Mead Paper, Mylan Laboratories, Pittsburgh Children's Museum, Sunquest Information Systems.
Graphic Designer
USWeb Corporation, formerly Electronic Images - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1998 to 1999
Worked directly with art directors and designers from different production teams within the agency to develop concepts and designs for a variety of projects from logo and identity design, advertising, brochures, catalogs, direct mail, newsletters, publications, point-of-sale displays, and signage. Prepared design layouts, illustrations, and photographic images for film output, PDF, print production, and mailing.
Clients included: Office Depot, RiteAid, ServiceStar Hardware.
Senior Graphic Designer
Informing Design - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1994 to 1998
Worked directly with the president and clients to develop design concepts. Created all digital files, illustrations, and photographic images for a wide range of design projects, including the signage and mapping of the City of Pittsburgh's Wayfinder Sign Project, support publications including a book titled "Finding Yourself in Pittsburgh", and a quarterly publication titled "Map to Go". Other creative projects included logo and identity designs, brochures, restaurant chain menus, and business print material. I coordinated all projects for electronic output, negotiated all printing estimates, and ensured print quality by reviewing color and registration on press.
Manager, Printing and Distribution Department
St. Francis Central Hospital - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1992 to 1994
Printing Department functions required the preparation of all art needed for advertisements, brochures, and other public relations material. Created medical and legal forms used by other departments within the hospital, and managed negotiations and production of forms with outside vendors. Developed a Forms Management Committee that enabled me to work closely with department heads to assess the use of forms, and ensure the most efficient design and production.
Distribution Department responsibilities encompassed all mailing materials distributed to and from the hospital, ensured adherence to postal regulations, and maintained cost efficiency.
Quality control of all work was maintained through my direct supervision and training of printing and distribution personnel. Developed and controlled the fiscal budgets, and conducted the monthly department billings.
Graphic Designer
Indiana Printing and Publishing - Indiana, Pennsylvania
1987 to 1992
Worked directly with clients on the conception and design for a variety of projects that ranged from logo designs, corporate and school identity designs, magazine advertisements, annual reports, brochures, books, newsletters, publications, packaging, posters, and sporting event programs. I also integrated a variety of techniques that improved the overall quality of the stripping department. Prepared process color negatives, and ensured print quality by reviewing color and registration on press.
Clients included: ARIN Intermediate Unit 28, Groundhog Graphics, Indiana Chamber of Commerce,Indiana University of Pennsylvania. S&T Bank
Cutter Operator
American Wholesale Thermographers - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1986 to 1987
Responsible for the operation and maintenance of a rotary cutter used to trim business cards, postcards, and prepare stock for inventory and press. Inspected all final products to ensure quality. Managed shipping of all orders, and receiving of paper, inks, and printing supplies.
Bindery Operator
Quik-Print - Pittsburgh, PA
1985 to 1986
Responsibilities included the coordination and scheduling of all jobs in the bindery department to ensure tight delivery schedules were met. Operated and maintained a wide range of bindery equipment, and adhered to strict quality guidelines.
Graphic Artist
Suburban Printing - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1983 to 1985
Served as the only artist on staff with the responsibilities of creating all designs and mechanical layouts, and preparing small typesetting projects. I also performed various camera operations, negative development, stripping, and plate procedures.
Assistant Graphic Artist
Print-Craft Studio - Pittsburgh, PA
Summers During High School - 1979 to 1983
I assisted with the creation of mechanical layouts for small printing projects, and performed a variety of camera and plate procedures.
Education
Associates: Graphic Design
Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, PA
Graduated with Honors, G. P. A. 4.0
Studies included: Computer Art, Composition, Color Theory, Typography, Publication Design and Production using Adobe Photoshop, Aldus Freehand, Aldus PageMaker, and QuarkXPress on both Macintosh and PC platforms.