Career Progression

Aug 2022 — Current

Montanez Creative (Freelance and Contract Work)

(www.montanezcreative.com)

Title: Sr. Designer / Production Artist

• Creative Design and Print Production via Temp-Contracts and Freelance Clients.
• Creating flyers, business cards and other promotional materials for print. Preparing final art for digital printing. Layout and imposition for booklets. Customer service, and sales.
• Preparing and Ripping files to printers (Large Format and Digital) Running copy machines, folding machine, cutters and binding.
• Preparing final production ready artwork and color separations for Screen Printing, Embroidery, Patches and Woven Labels. Working with customers and vendors to facilitate final designs and material approvals for apparel garments/headwear.

Jan 2022 — Aug 2022

MGA Entertainment (Children’s Entertainment and Toy Company) Los Angeles, CA

(www.mgae.com)

Title: Sr. Designer / Packaging

• Branding and package design. Logo design and package-structure design concepts. 
• Photo shoots and photo retouching. Managing all photo and design assets. 
• Prototypes and Mock-ups. Zoom presentations. Preparing final mechanical art for press.

Feb 2019 — May 2021

Spin Master (Children’s Entertainment and Toy Company) Los Angeles, CA

(www.spinmaster.com)

Title: Designer

• Branding and package design for the PAW Patrol team and other properties.
• Maintained branding standards. Developed seasonal sub-branding, created mood-boards, design assets, color pallets and logos.
• Worked closely with Package Engineers, Product Designers and Marketing managers to develop and finalize packaging. Prepared final mechanical files for print vendors.

Jan 2017 — Feb 2019

Chase Design Group (Design Agency) South Pasadena, CA

(www.chasedesigngroup.com)

Title: Production Artist

• Collaborated with the creative directors and designers. Prepared print ready mechanical artwork for consumer goods packaging and marketing materials.
• Photo retouching, color correcting and product renders. 
• Developed die-lines, prepared PMS accurate target-prints (proofs). Ripped files to Large format Epson printers and helped maintain and calibrate equipment.

May 2015 — Jan 2017

Onward Search (Contract Work – Talent Recruitment Agency) Los Angeles, CA

(www.onwardsearch.com)

Title: Production Artist

• (Chase Design Group) Temp-to-Perm contract print production specialist for a design agency servicing multiple CPG brands.

• (coloredge) Short-term contract for a rapid prototype/print production house. 

• (Capital Group) Long-term contract for a large financial institution. Created financial reports and promotional booklets. Performed data entry task. Customer service.

Oct 2014 — May 2015

Montanez Creative (Freelance Work)

(www.montanezcreative.com)

Title: Designer / Illustrator

• (Neat Microphones) Technical Illustration using 3D and vector art. Package layout and final mechanical art preparation for print.
• (Chambers Group) illustration. Produced one-day turn around, logo design. 
• (SunBrite TV) Produced a funny cartoon strip used for marketing and promotion.

Dec 2012 — Oct 2014

TYLT / Technocel (Consumer Electronics Distribution and Manufacturing)

(www.tylt.com)

Title: Designer / Illustrator

• Designed packaging and marketing materials for multiple consumer electronics properties. Developed and maintained branding strategies.
• Die Line creation, photo retouching and file preparation. 
• Technical illustration for product development and product design. Created original artwork for use on product. Conceptualized designs for cell phone and tablet cases one of which became a company best seller for the season.

Education

Moorpark Community College (Moorpark, CA)

• Major (fine art and illustration) Studies included life drawing, illustration,
  color and composition and art history. 
• Minor (RTVF: Radio Television and Film) Television Studio Production, camera operator, video editing, audio production, lighting, directing and graphics generation.

Royal High School (Simi Valley, CA)

• Diploma of graduation Emphasis on fine arts.