Résumé

James R. Cobb

Objective
To utilize my design and problem solving skills in a creative environment that allows for professional development.
Education
BFA in Graphic Communications with a minor in Art History
University of Houston, May 1995
Academic honors: Graduated cum laude
Experience
Web Design Manager
Red Hat, Inc. – Austin <2013-current>
Managed and art directed the creative visual design team to provide branding support for JBoss Middleware upstream community projects as well as the overall JBoss.org Community umbrella brand and the Red Hat Developers Program.Worked with key stakeholders to help drive the vision of the various project and umbrella websites.
Worked on various company-wide initiatives to create better consistency across the various top-tier company sites.
Worked with various stakeholders to create conference branding for several conferences as well as individual booth designs to support developer facing programs. Worked with the corporate brand team on helping define the branding for Red Hat Summit, an annual company conference.
Defined staffing and budget requirements for the team.
Responsible for the selection, evaluation, mentoring and development of the Visual Designers on the team.
Performed duties and a contributing Visual Designer while concurrently managing the team.
Visual Design Lead
JBoss (a division of Red Hat, Inc.) – Austin <2006-2013>
Work with internal clients to gather the design requirements and specifications for open-source software application development.
Design graphic user interfaces, workflows, prototypes and specifications for both web-based applications and java-based thick client applications.
Implement corporate branding initiative across application designs.
Design and maintain application component style guide to ensure brand compliance across applications.
Lead Designer
Cobalt Group – Austin <2005-2006>
Work with internal clients and Business Analysts to gather the design requirements and specifications for proprietary software application development.
Design graphic user interfaces, workflows, prototypes and specifications for both web-based applications and java-based thick client CRM applications using Microsoft user interface standards.
Implement corporate branding initiative across application designs.
Design and maintain application component style guide to ensure brand compliance across applications.
Art Director/Senior Designer
Freelance/Contract – Austin <2003-2005>
Worked with clients to gather the design requirements and specifications from the client for creative deliverables.
Managed creative process through look and feel development and design presentation to client.
Designed look and feel compositions for various web design projects including Flash components and interactives.
Art Director
MindAcre – Houston <2002-2003>
Worked with clients to gather the design requirements and specifications from the client for creative deliverables.
Managed creative design team through look and feel development and design presentation to client.
Supervised build team and performed quality assurance role during technical implementation to ensure design integrity throughout the project lifecycle.
Designed look and feel compositions for various web design projects including Flash components and interactives.
Visual Design Director (Art Director)
Luminant Worldwide – Houston <1999-2001>
Worked with clients to gather the design requirements and specifications from the client for creative deliverables.
Managed creative design team through look and feel development and design presentation to client.
Supervised build team and performed quality assurance role during technical implementation to ensure design integrity throughout the project lifecycle.
Designed look and feel compositions for various design projects including: brochureware, portals, Flash based tours and tutorials as well as corporate identities systems.
Creative Director
NMASS Communications – Houston <1997-1999>
Responsible for setting the aesthetic direction for all work created by NMASS Communications.
Supervised creative staff and outside vendors.
Consulted closely with clients to set and meet their business communications goals.
Extensive award-winning design experience creating corporate identity systems, web sites, CD interactives and print.
Responsible for estimating projects, scheduling multiple projects, creative direction, and bringing the projects in on time and on budget.
Graphic Designer/Production Manager
Full Moon Communications/Goswick Advertising – Houston <1996-1997>
Conceptualized and produced advertisements in a daily deadline oriented environment.
Responsible for all advertisements produced by the department.
Managed a staff of eight designers, including creating and implementing procedures and quality control policies to increase workflow efficiency.
Hired and trained both permanent and temporary personnel.
Graphic Design Technician
Printing Department/University of Houston – Houston <1994-1996>
Designed and produced a variety of projects for various Colleges including newsletters, brochures, schedules, forms and posters.
Graphic Specialist
Cullen College of Engineering/University of Houston – Houston <1992-1994>
Designed program identities, brochures and promotional merchandise for annual college fund-raising events, general college recruitment and produced info-graphics for publication in professional journals.
Proficiencies
Proficient using Adobe Creative Suite, Office Products as well as the other standard design industry programs.