Tsekwi Simoyi

Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate from
West Virginia University's College of Creative Arts in Fine Arts with a focus
in Graphic Design.

I also studied in San Giovanni Valdarno, Italy at Il Sillabo for Italian Art and Culture. Lastly, I studied in Milan, Italy at Nuova Academia di Belle Arti translated...

New School of the Beautiful Arts for Graphic Design.

At all schools, I learned how to be proficient in design software i.e. the entire Adobe Creative Suite and Final Cut Pro.

As a Graphic Designer, I'm knowledgeable in Typography, Page Layout, Hierarchy, Printmaking, and Adobe CS5.5.

I'm very skilled in XHTML, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery, and AS2.

I'm also skilled in Content Management Systems, Search Engine Optimization,
and Social Media.

In addition, I have experience video, audio, and animation editing mainly making use of Flash, After Effects, and Final Cut Pro.

I believe that my ability to utilize multiple disciplines of Animation, Interaction Design, Audio / Video, and Photography makes for a truly unique project.

The success of any design project relies on a clear project arrangement. While structuring a new project, there has to be strict deadlines along the way to keep the designer true to the overall timeline. This is a brief description of how I operate and what to expect from me, step by step.

Above All, I have to keep in mind that I'm visually telling my client's story and to tell it well, I have to care about it.

This means I have to be interested in the subject, see the need for the design, or at least care that my client cares (I always care a little more). The point is, I have to discover the interesting factor. This will in turn keep the creative juices flowing without effort.

The first step is to iron out the project details. The way I work is I ask questions pretending not to have a clue about the project subject matter. This method helps me get the most out of my client.

Next, I establish goals and work out a project schedule. I can then research the subject and see if it invokes appropriate shapes, colors, textures, fonts, etc.

Using my research as a base, I can begin the initial design phase and present my client with a first draft mock-up.

If I'm on the right track, I will use my mock-up as a template and continue to improve the design while meeting deadlines until the project is completed.

Before Graphic Design, I was on a similar path of exploring other avenues that art had to offer. In those days I drew self portraits, painted the occasional still-life, and built robots out of wood and metal.

These activities that I rarely engage in today are still apart of my artistic foundation and have made me the Designer you see before you.

Each work of art is more than a brief artistic endeavor. It marks a moment in time when I truly succeeded at my craft. It's a dear memory that can be measured all the way from conception to completion of every project.

As a kid, I was notorious for exploring the margins of my homework with small sophisticated doodles. You can imagine how my actual art classes went and I guess you can say that being an artist has always been my calling.

Beyond my work, I still find myself engaged with design in one way or another. I'm usually networking and learning new aspects of my craft.

I believe that I learn the most from the people that continue to inspire me. It keeps me that much more driven knowing that my peers are still creating.

To the right are a few places that have helped me stay focused all these years.

In the end, I believe that the mark of a great Designer besides doing good work is staying involved within the Design Community whether you're giving advice or developing open source web/print tools.

Giving back not only stimulates your own efforts, but allows you to effect change within the community on a much
grander scale.