About Simply Slaughter Designs
I am a code writing, design crafting, pixel pushing student and a freelance designer located in Michigan. An ambitious, enthusiastic and a forward-thinking creative professional with a unique and innovative entrepreneurial spirited sense for design.
I started from nothing but a basic understanding of Photoshop and an open mind to learn new things. My friends joke and say I am over critical. I don't think I am, I just want to be proud of everything I put my name to! (I have to, I’m a Slaughter!)
I have about 8 years of experience working within the design field. Starting out as a self taught artist drawing the cartoons I watched and other things around my house and room, I drew my way from art school to internship honing my skills. By the time I made it to college, after going through many learning curves and then finally declaring my major in Media Arts & Technology with a concentration in Games, Web & Interactive Media at Michigan State University, I began to structure my collegiate and career experiences to gain a skill set that would take me far in the design industry as a whole and put me in great stead for the future.
The resulting coursework takes on many forms: story, sound and motion, digital imagery, human-computer interaction and experience design, web authoring, media animation, media design, media photography, graphics and illustration, social media and society, mobile applications, information design and so much more.
I have spent most of my career taking on positions that have helped me to acquire new skills such as Urban Artist Collective Intern, Media Team Assistant, Entrepreneurship Television Internship Director, Media Studio Student Web Design and Communications Assistant, Graphic Artist III, Marketing & Blogging Intern, PR & Communications Coordinator, Social Media Marketing & Communications Intern and Freelance Contract Designer.
The projects I work on span the range from helping campus departments, local businesses and clients design and build functional websites and blogs, design well-crafted documents for print, create appealing graphics and visual elements, raise their klout scores with engaging social media practices and produce compelling digital, video and audio content. I can take on a project completely alone, from concept to final delivery; but I also have experience working as part of a team in varying sizes from 1 to many.
I can take a concept and make it come alive in print or pixels in the style best suited to the client’s needs. I love creating simple, easily understandable designs that clearly communicate concepts or brands.
I'm a passionate, multi-talented creative who never stops learning. Design and social communications are my passions, and I am eager to refine and expand my knowledge and skill-set whenever I can, personally or professionally. I've always been a very curious and ambitious learner and I think that is what drives me in my day-to-day life. I can proudly say that over 85% of my education comes from my passion to learn more, not by the mind-melding lectures in a classroom alone. I believe that it is important to love doing what you do, and I spend some time every day doing what I love.
I’m handy with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and After Effects and can speak HTML, CSS & Javascript fluently. I know a bit PHP and Java, and am learning Objective-C right now. Yes, right now.
I currently reside in Lansing, Michigan, completing my final degree requirements at Full Sail University, but work with clients in and out of the state.
Away from the computer, I can usually be found somewhere in the kitchen cooking a good meal or wandering the mean streets of the capital city with my small circle of friends, always looking for a great meal and a good time. I occasionally pull out my camera and take a few photos or try to plan a new adventure.
Now that you know a bit about me, go ahead and check out my portfolio, read my blog or drop me an email. I am currently accepting freelance work if you have an interesting design project we could work together on.
