steven lait
I’m a graphic designer and illustrator with extensive print and digital experience.
I spent 17 years as a graphic designer, graphics editor and editorial cartoonist for the Alameda Newspaper Group and
later the Bay Area News Group (Oakland Tribune). Currently, I’m pursuing graphic and web design work after expanding my skills
beyond traditional print media.
resume
profile
- Managed art department staff coordinating daily graphics projects from concept through completion
- Accustomed to multitasking and creating visual solutions in deadline-driven environments
- Adapting print design for web-based presentation
skills
- Web design in HTML and CSS, Flash, JavaScript
- Print layout, logo design and informational graphics
- Humorous illustration and cartoons
- Software: Adobe Creative Suite including Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash and Dreamweaver
experience
Contract Graphic Designer, 2011-current
Costco
- Produce graphic designs, layouts and illustrations for The Costco Connection magazine's
U.S. and international editions
Freelance Illustrator, 2009-current
NVIDIA
- Create illustrations for corporate website blog covering issues in the semiconductor industry
with a focus on competition and emerging technologies
Freelance Graphic Designer, 2009-2010
Evolved Media
- Conceptualize and create graphic design solutions illustrating business processes and technology-based communications
Assistant Graphics Editor, 2004-2008
Bay Area News Group
- Planned and created feature layout designs, informational graphics and illustrations for 11 Bay Area newspapers in newly formed Bay Area News Group consolidation
- Took over management of art department staff at Alameda Newspaper Group, including scheduling, hiring and special Sunday presentations emphasizing bold visual approach
- Designed and implemented style changes for evolving industry needs
- Syndicated editorial cartoons appearing in national publications: Time, USA Today, New York Times, Washington Post, BusinessWeek, Fox News
Assistant Graphics Editor, 1998-2004
Alameda Newspaper Group
- Managed and prioritized daily art department workflow supporting 7 Bay Area newspapers
- Planned, designed and developed graphics and special section presentations with reporters and editors in order to maximize visual impact of pages
- Produced four editorial cartoons per week
Graphic Artist, 1991-1998
Alameda Newspaper Group
- Produced charts, maps, logos and illustrations for 5 East Bay newspapers
- Produced one-two editorial cartoons per week
freelance
- Job Search Bloopers, Created illustrations for book cover and inside pages
- Competency-Based Interviews, Created chapter illustrations for book
awards and honors
- Nominated for Pulitzer Prize in editorial cartooning – 2007
- Work selected for shows at American University Museum, Washington D.C. and Charles Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, CA – 2007
- California Newspaper Publishers Association “Better Newspapers Contest Award” – 1996, 2002, 2004
education
- Rice University, B.A. Art and Art History/Sociology – 1986-1990