Biography

Billy Sweeney is a graphic designer living in New York City. He received a BS in Visual Communication Design at Arizona State University, and after studying design moved to Seattle with his wife Alexandra. Billy has worked for a variety of clients and founded a design company called Spectra. In July 2011, Billy moved to New York to join the design team at Squarespace.

Billy is passionate about design, striving to produce engaging and effective visual communication. He’s ambitious, creative, meticulous, honest, and efficient. He stays up to date with the latest software and current trends, sharpening his skills and staying competitive. He’s always pushing the limits of his ability – constantly growing and learning. Billy’s unlikely mix of creativity and organization allow him to create unique work, on time.

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Résumé

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Education

Arizona State University / Tempe, AZ / August 2005 – May 2009

Bachelor of Science in Design, Visual Communication Design.

  • Cum Laude Honors 3.58 GPA.
  • ASU College of Design Dean’s List 2005 – 2009.

Work Experience

Spectra Design Co. / Seattle, WA / January 2011 – Present

Graphic Designer, Owner

  • Company: Spectra is a design company I started in January 2011.
  • Roles: Research, Direction, Design, Production, Marketing, Accounting, Client Relations, Administration.

Freelance Design / Tempe, AZ · Seattle, WA / May 2009 – December 2010

Graphic Designer

  • Roles: Research, Direction, Design, Production, Marketing, Accounting, Client Relations, Administration.

Parker Madison / Tempe, AZ / May 2008 – August 2008

Graphic Design Intern

  • Company: Parker Madison is a creative firm specializing in brand strategy, marketing and design.
  • Roles: Identity design, web design, document layout design, presentation design, information design, illustration.

Technical Skills

  • Advanced user of: Mac OS X, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Bridge, Microsoft Office, Apple iWork.
  • Intermediate user of: Adobe After Effects, Flash Catalyst.
  • Ability to prototype using HTML and CSS.
  • Experience working with/understanding of capabilities and limitations of: PHP, WordPress, JavaScript, Adobe Flash.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with developers.
  • Experience with 4 color printing process, press-ready files, press checks.
  • Comfortable in both Mac and Windows operating systems, prefers Mac.
  • Understanding of biomimicry, and it’s implications on the business, environment, society, and user.

Values & Practices

  • Honesty, integrity, respect, creativity, ambition, discipline, passion.
  • Clear expectations, solid research, quality brainstorming, cross-discipline collaboration, constructive critique, and intentional refinement.
  • Hand sketches always come before computer involvement.

Awards

PSAID Broadcast National Competition / April 2009

  • One of five semifinalists for a 30 second motion graphics TV spot on International Disaster Relief.

PIAZ Awards Gala / January 2009

  • Printing Industries of Arizona 2008 Print Excellence Bronze Award for demonstrating superior craftsmanship in the Student category for my book entitled ‘Every Project.’

Collegiate Athletics

Arizona State University / Tempe, AZ / August 2005 – March 2008

Springboard Diver

  • NCAA Division 1 Swimming & Diving Team: Springboard diving.
  • SMU Classic Champion and High Point Diver Award recipient 2008.
  • Arizona State University Most Improved Male Diver Award 2007.
  • Three time PAC-10 Conference Finalist 2006, 2007, 2008.
  • Three time Zone E Championship Qualifier / Finalist 2006, 2007, 2008.

Service

English Teacher / Czech Republic / June – July 2007, 2008

Race for the Cure Volunteer / Phoenix, AZ / September 2005

Service Project Volunteer / Navajo Reservation, NM / July 2002, 2003

Additional Work Experience (Jobs to pay the bills)

Qdoba Mexican Grill / Seattle, WA / November 2010 – July 2011

Key Lead, Line Server

  • Roles: Key holder, open the store, get restaurant up and running for the day, food preparation, customer service, cash register, cleaning, stocking.

Costco Wholesale / Chandler, AZ / April 2006 – September 2007

Food Court

  • Roles: Food preparation, customer service, cash register, cleaning, stocking.

City of Chandler / Chandler, AZ / April 2002 – October 2005

Lifeguard

  • Roles: Saving lives, first aid, customer service, cash register, cleaning.