The Designer's Eye

2007-07-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

With the designer’s eye for composition, a talent which cannot be learned, I bring to the kitchen table the ability to apply this sense
of composition to all the forms of communication with which
I am involved.

I pull together content, form an approach and style, and orchestrate the creative elements into a design which is readily communicated and easily remembered.

The designer's eye is an important commodity in today's world because we now live in an age in which survival in business depends on the ability to communicate and market effectively.

The principles of good design are basic to each and every form
of communication that exists in today's world. To communicate effectively, you need someone with a designer's eye to orchestrate the design elements of your communications into an iconic whole so that your target audience can easily recognize the design associated with your business. An effective design will focus attention towards your product and this will in turn foster a positive attitude towards your brand, company and product.

I am that someone.

One day, our marketing director called the folks in the office together and said that a colleague of his had called to compliment him on an ad that had caught his eye. He said it was the best use
of white space he had ever seen.

This is that ad, my ad.

I have a tremendous work ethic and desire to learn new things. As a former teacher, I am familiar with budgets and requisitions. As a graphic artist, I am used to meeting deadlines, dealing with clients and representatives, getting approval from department managers and executives, and am familiar with general marketing strategies. I am also able to proof read written materials as needed, and I was once a PBX telephone operator for the University of Houston, St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston and Mercy Hospital in New Orleans which definitely involved dealing with the public.

Résumé

Shari Brooks
kalisis7@aol.com

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Fine Arts • Graphic Arts • University of Houston
Master of Arts • Art Education • University of New Mexico
Post Graduate Studies in Art Therapy • University of New Mexico

COMPUTER SKILLS:
PC and Mac Literate • Adobe Photoshop CS • Agfa Arcus ll Scanner • QuarkXpress • Microsoft Office

EXPERIENCE:
Reader/Writer
CNM (Central New Mexico Community College) • May 2010 to present
DUTIES: In class notetaker for differently abled students

Professional Scorer
NCS Pearson • March - May 2010
DUTIES: Scoring essays for standardized tests

Tutor
100+ Tutoring Services • November 2008 to March 2010
DUTIES: Tutoring public school students grades K-12

Graphic Artist
In-House Advertising Agency
American Home Furnishings • January 1993 to July 2007
DUTIES: Supervision and Invoice Reconciliation of Free-Lance Photographer • Director of and Product Stylist for Product Photography Sessions • Graphic Designer of Advertisements for Newspaper, Magazines, Events, Direct Mail, Banners and Inserts • Establishing Procedures for the Scanning and Adjustment of Photographs in Adobe Photoshop for Quality Reproduction in Any Advertising Medium • Instruction of Coworkers in these Procedures • Creation of a Filing System that Linked Product Photographs with its Copy so as to Facilitate Easy Product Insertion into Advertisements • Copywriter • Proofreader

Product Illustrator • Advertising Department
American Home Furnishings • 1983 to 1992

Art Teacher • Laguna-Acoma Jr.-Sr. High School • 1981-1982

Art Teacher • Ganado Sr. High School • 1979-1981

Art Teacher • Kayenta Jr. High School • 1977-1979

Advisory Committee • Integrated Arts Project
Cooperative Educational Services • 1979-1980

Art History Instructor • Northland Pioneer College • 1977-1979

Art Teacher • Art for Kids • University of New Mexico • 1977

Elementary Art Instructor • Navajo Teacher Development Program
University of New Mexico • 1977

Student Art Teacher • Santo Domingo Public Schools • 1977

Art Teacher and Consultant • Cochiti Elementary School • 1975-1976

The following are more examples of my work in a variety of sizes
and design elements :)

http://lightdances.blogspot.com/

At these blogs, you will find examples of my personal artwork, the full range of which can be viewed at the blogs listed. You will also find a lot of information pertaining to the images created.

http://zmyztickleonion.blogspot.com/

http://www.greenphoenixproductions.com/brooks.html

http://carznguitarz.blogspot.com/

http://womandalas.blogspot.com/

http://traveldalas.blogspot.com/

http://shari7.wordpress.com/

LOGOS:

Logo for Eagle Spirit Publishing

Design of a more iconic logo for American Home. It forms a single, more readily and quickly recognized symbol than the current logo which is just the spelling out of the name American Home. Spelling it out this way does not lend itself to a quick impression in the customer's mind. An easily and quickly recognizable logo is very important for television advertising, as the symbol needs to be recognized in a flash, as-it were. Using the @ symbol also indicates that the company is in tune with the internet.
The following series of logos were designed to clarify visually the variety of products available at American Home. In some of their newer markets, they were having an 'identity crisis', in that customers were not familiar with the company as they were in their original markets. As it turned out, they were generally being confused with a local mortgage company. By incorporating product within the visual range of the company's name, you establish an association in the customer's mind with the type of products available at the store. Note that the designs also incorporate the @AH icon. This gives the company the flexibility of using them both, dependent upon the allocated media space or time.

This logo was designed to make customers aware that Interior Design Services were available at American Home.

This logo was designed as a campaign header or lead-in for an event or special promotion at the store.

This logo was designed to let customers know that American Home was internet accessible, as in iPhone, iTunes, iPhoto, etc.

BANNERS:
These banners were designed to convey the same ideas as the @AH logos mentioned above. These, however, reflect the company's history in that the font used for the 'your home furnishings Store' is the same as the store's original logo. The 'American Home' font is the same as their current logo. The recliner was kept consistent within the O of HOME to convey the idea that the customer will find comfort for their home at American Home.

This banner/logo was designed for a proposed branch business in environmentally friendly homes and remodeling.

These banners/logos were designed to visually reinforce the byline; Your Total Home Store.

This banner was designed for a proposed new byline; Your Home Comfort Store.

Etsy Store Banners:

BUSINESS CARDS:

Custom Logo Design at 99designs

PROMOTIONAL POSTCARDS:

SHOWS:

Soul Portraiture - Part 1 - Spirit Blooms - The Art Gallery 66 is proud to host the first in a series of juried fine art photography exhibitions sponsored by Dry Heat Photography. Soul Portraiture will be a journey into the essence of life. In a series of four shows we will explore the energy that defines the soul through a variety of subject matter. In the first of these shows, Spirit Blooms, we have collaborated with 14 fine art photographers to create an exhibition of photographs to explore the energy that bursts forth from the bloom and to convey the essence of life that creates a living flower.
Spirit Blooms is more than just an art show, it is also an opportunity to support the Barrett Foundation. The Barrett Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization in Albuquerque, New Mexico, helping homeless women and children build better lives. In addition to food, clothing and shelter, Barrett Foundation provides case management, critical skills training, and the support needed to plan and establish a more stable future, for themselves and their children. The Art Gallery 66 is donating 20% of the proceeds from the show to the Barrett Foundation.
April 18 - May 30, 2008
Art Gallery 66
373 North Caminio del Pueblo
Bernalillo, NM 87004

Soul Portraiture - Part 2 - Ancient Voices Distant Storms - Soul Portraiture is a journey into the essence of life; past, present and future. In a series of four shows we will explore the energy that defines life through a variety of subject matter. In Ancient Voices Distant Storms, 14 of New Mexico's finest photographers will exhibit work illustrating their personal interpretation of the phrase Ancient Voices Distant Storms.
July 18 - Aug. 30, 2008
Art Gallery 66
373 North Caminio del Pueblo
Bernalillo, NM 87004

These 2 pieces were also in ‘Altered Visions’ Do you see things differently? This juried show focuses on abstract forms of expression.
August 19 - 29, 2009.
The Wooden Cow
7400 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 20
Albuquerque, NM 87109

Soul Portraiture - Part 3 - Radiant Leaves - The Soul Portraiture shows are intended to provide a venue for New Mexico's finest photographers to showcase their work and as a means of making of this work available to the public. "Work like you don't need the money, dance like no one is looking, and love like you have never been hurt!"
Oct. 10 - Nov. 30 - 2008
Art Gallery 66
373 North Caminio del Pueblo
Bernalillo, NM 87004

Soul Portraiture - Part 4 - Freeze Frame - In Freeze Frame both professional and amateur photographers will exhibit images illustrating the simultaneous grace and brutality of winter as it descends on the desert landscape.
Nov. 21 - Dec. 21, 2008
Art Gallery 66
373 North Caminio del Pueblo
Bernalillo, NM 87004

Rainbow Artists - La Vida del Rio (The Life of the River), a themed art exhibit intended to focus on life along the Rio Grande ~ landscapes, people, floRA, Fauna, culture, and history.
Sept. 3 - 27, 2008
Harwood Art Center
1114 7th Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102

"Trust the Hand that Makes It Round" - a show at OFFCenter Arts Studio. From mandalas to wheels of fortune, to suns, moons, our own mother earth, and everything round and spinning, this exhibit will celebrate our humanness, our vital energy and our ability to create the round world together.
Feb.6 - Mar.6, 2009
OFFCenter Arts
808 Park Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102

Arts Alliance Gallery Exhibition with a Valentine’s Day theme 'We Love Red'
Feb. 6 - Mar. 2, 2009
Arts Alliance, Inc.
1100 San Mateo NE
Albuquerque, NM 87125

Soul Portraiture continues in 2009 with All God's Creatures. This juried fine art photography exhibition will feature works from New Mexico's finest wildlife photographers illustrating the beauty and splendor of creatures that may not commonly be considered beautiful, cute or lovable.
Mar. 6 - Apr. 13, 2009
Dry Heat Gallery
4685 Corrales Rd, Suite 4
Corrales, NM 87048

"FLOWERS: A TRIBUTE TO WOMEN"
a show at the
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th St. S.W.
Albuquerque, NM
March 1-31, 2009

"In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you." Deepak Chopra
Shelter: Space, Place & Belonging ~ The show is an inquiry about where we live -- how it defines us and our relationship to our environment and each other.
May 1 - June 8, 2009.
OFFCenter Community Arts Studio
808 Park Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM

The Dry Heat Gallery is proud to host this series of juried fine art photography exhibitions. Soul Portraiture is a journey into the essence of life. In a series of four shows we will explore the energy and spirit that defines life through a variety of subject matter. In "Electro-Light" both professional and amateur photographers have been invited to submit images illustrating the ambiance found in the night life. Everyone who attends the show will be able to participate in our Peoples Choice Awards which means you will be able to vote for your favorite piece.
Prizes will be awarded as follows:
1st Place - $100 Cash
2nd Place - $50 credit towards framing services at Dry Heat Gallery
(I won this one!)
3rd Place - $25 credit to be applied towards the jury fee of the next Soul Portraiture show
June 9 - July 6, 2009
Dry Heat Gallery
4685 Corrales Road Suite #4
Corrales, NM 87048

‘Wordplay’ Is a picture worth a thousand words? What happens when words and art mix? This month’s juried show is all about words.
August 5 - 29, 2009
The Wooden Cow
7400 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 20
Albuquerque, NM 87109

The Dry Heat Gallery is proud to host this series of juried fine art photography exhibitions. Soul Portraiture is a journey into the essence of life. In a series of four shows we will explore the energy and spirit that defines life through a variety of subject matter. "A Lifted Spirit" is open to the artist's interpretation. Both professional and amateur photographers have submitted images illustrating a soaring spirit and expanding consciousness.
Sept.1 - Oct.12, 2009
Dry Heat Gallery
4685 Corrales Road Suite #4
Corrales, NM 87048

What does ‘Black and White’ mean? Is it the absence of color? Is it the printed word? Does it infer formality or maybe simplicity? Is it about race or good vs. evil? This juried show explores these ‘opposites’.
September 2 - 26, 2009
The Wooden Cow
7400 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 20
Albuquerque, NM 87109

This juried showcase will examine areas usually left out of the glare of the spotlight and discussed in more hushed tones.
September 30 - October 31, 2009
The Wooden Cow
7400 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 20
Albuquerque, NM 87109

RAVENS: a benefit art show for Hawk's Aloft featuring spectacular images of birds belonging to the genus Corvus. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Hawk's Aloft
DATE: October 13 - November 6, 2009
LOCATION: Dry Heat Gallery
4685 Corrales Rd Suite 4
Corrales, NM 98048
www.dryheatgallery.com