Grant Holt’s Portfolio

August 9, 2006

Cover LetterI am a Creative Project Manager with more than17 years experience developing, designing and producing error-free and cost-effective marketing collateral.

I most recently worked with Foley's Department Stores, Inc., where I worked as Senior Designer - Direct Mail/Special Projects for 5 plus years.

I have worked in creative conceptualization, research/decision-making, writing, design, production, pre-press; have created plates/film for press runs and have spent time working in apress shop.

Cover LetterExperienced in working with research groups to help in

determining the proper methods of communicating with

target audiences. Demonstrating a cohesive background in

communications, I can confidently state that I know the

business.

My favorite tools are InDesign CS2, Photoshop CS2, Image

Ready CS2, Image Styler, Illustrator CS2, Dreamweaver MX,

Fireworks MX, Freehand MX and QuarkXPress 6.5. I am more

than adept at many more, including MS Office Word, Power

Point, industry standard Pre-Press software, and most all Mac

utilities and archival/database software.

Cover LetterI possess proven management skills, a solid history in the development of concept, design, layout and production of print material. I have recently added to my toolbox the ability to design and produce web projects.

I have just completed classes in coding HTML, XHTML, DHTML and CSS script. I can utilize Dreamweaver MX in web site development when applicable.

ProfileDedicated, self-motivated Creative Project Manager with16

years experience developing, designing and producing error-

free marketing collateral while coordinating the participation of

various team members, co-workers and external consultants.

Strong skills in analyzing challenges at hand, identifying roo

causes and in developing the appropriate process to effectively

drive projects. Proficient in utilizing leading-design software,

utilities and Macintosh systems. Have set up and worked in

cross-platform organizations.

Exceptional performance in identifying market/business

opportunities and creating the programs, promotions, personnel

and client relationships to outpace the competition and dominate the

marketplace.

Areas of Expertise• Team Management• Project Coordination• Training• Ad/Image Management

• Design• Production• Pre-Press• Color Separation

• Promotion• Print Collateral• Budget Management• Commitment to Excellence• Loyalty

Select AchievementsExamined technical support and printing issues to facilitate production and

reduce costs. External consultant was creating a printing

problem.Implemented new in-house technical support and assumed

responsibilities of technical support and purchasing manager.

Result: Severed contract with external consultants, thus transferring

responsibilities to myself. These actions saved the company significant

resources per year.

Required buyers to turn in all merchandise two weeks in advance in order

to focus more clearly on late changes/additions/corrections. Honoring

incorrect print collateral cost company hundreds of thousand of dollars in

lost revenue.

Result: Facilitated an earlier buyer turn-in and proofing schedule.

Program improved both accuracy and consistency in promotional print

material while allowing ample time for late changes.

Select AchievementsProposed an upgrade of both hardware and software as advertising volume was growing at such a rapid pace that work was being contracted to an external advertising agency.

Result: Invested capital in equipment, software and a new scanning station to better control quality and consistency across the board. Productivity and job turn-around time was increased by more than 25%.

Reduced company capital spending by investing in a new employee in order to bring advertising expenditures under control. Advertising volume had grown at such a rapid pace that an external advertising agency had been hired to assist.

Result: Saved the company significant resources over the first year, while introducing a new bilingual employee.

Select AchievementsTrained two co-workers while successfully producing 53% of Retail Company’s holiday advertising in a design department of seven designers.

Result: Company recorded increased sales over last year and was the #1 performer of 14 separate entities of subsidiaries.

Conceived, implemented and successfully maintained a dependable archival/storage system and slashed job turn-around time. Slow turn-around and searching for images cost the company potential increased revenue.

Result: Increased job turn-around by as much as 70% while increasing company revenue.

Work HistoryFOLEY’S DEPARTMENT STORE, Inc.,Houston, Texas 02/2001–05/2006

Senior Designer – Direct Mail and Special Projects

• Worked with Ad Director, Art Director, Copy Chief, Account Executives and others to develop timely, cohesive and error-free marketing print collateral on schedule

• In charge of Backing up Direct Mail / Special Projects Design Manager while maintaining our departments’ segment of entire company direct mail / special projects design and production

• Responsible for creating and implementing print collateral campaigns

Work HistoryFORMS & PRINTING SERVICES INC.,Houston, Texas 07/2000–02/2001

Electronic Pre-Press / Film & Plate Maker / Designer / Production Artist / Archivist• In charge of the art department, electronic pre-press, plate output and archival of images and projects

• Responsible for designing and/or reproducing marketing and internal print collateral from production to press

• Developed various forms and office / service related documents for printing

Work HistoryPRINT/WEB DESIGN INC.,Houston, Texas 07/1997 – 07/2000

Owner / Operator• Responsible for managing all aspects of running a small company while effectively developing print and web marketing material for clients

• Attracted and groomed clients while producing brand / identity and image consulting including corporate logos, letterheads, business cards, etc.

• Designed and produced numerous brochures direct mail pieces for companies such as Southwestern Bell

Work HistoryFIESTA MART INC.,Houston, Texas 06/1991–07/1997

Advertising Manager / Art Designer / Image Archivist• Managed advertising department and its budget, built andbooked print and electronic media for large company

• Responsible for developing short and long term marketing strategies and collateral for target audience

• In charge of creating vibrant, error free ads while managing traffic and three employees

Work HistoryGROCERS AD SERVICE,Houston, Texas 10/1989–06/1991

Production Artist• In charge of producing ads and color separation

• Assisted in educating shop on current industry standard design hardware and software

• Cut and pasted type and images for newspaper and litho-print grocery store advertisements

Formal EducationB.A. in Communications - Feature Writing

– Texas State University

Minor in Art/Photography - basic design, drawing, production,

typography, electives and more than 15 hours exploring black

and white photography with shadows playing a lead role

- Texas State University

Digital Communications/Web Publishing Specialization

- Houston Community College

• I have earned more than 45 hours towards an Associate of

Applied Science degree and am enrolled in upcoming semester

Print Collateral - Foley’s

Fashion Books

Storewide Books

Specialty Books

Brochures & Post Cards

Identity/Branding

Identity Development - Texas Off-Road

Identity/Branding

Identity Development - GH Print/Web Design

Identity/Branding

Identity Development - Evangelist Harold D. Clayton

Identity/Branding

Identity Development - Catalyst Direct Marketing

Identity

Client, GM Industries, Inc.an established FlexographicPrinting Company (labels &stickers) requested variousBusiness Card looks fortheir business.

Client choose the cardpresented lower right.

Digital Samples

Poster promoting HermannPark and Museum District

Produced for HCC courseARTS1302

All photos Grant originals

Digital Samples

Entire underwater scene produced for HCC course ARTS1302

Photo Restoration

Photo Restoration

Web Design

Web Design

Web Design

Contact Information

Grant D. Holt838 W.43rd StreetHouston, TX 70018

Grant@GrantHoltCreative.comgholt1@houston.rr.com

www.GrantHoltCreative.com

Hm: 713.699.8543Cell: 713.898.0868

Thank You for your time.Have a Great Day!