Mike Curato

General info

mikecurato@gmail.com
206-817-5565 mobile

Experience

• Creative Team Lead

  Seattle, WA
  Aug 2010 - Oct 2011

  Groundspeak Inc

  • Provided international community of over 5 million users with high quality, inspirational visual communications for print and web.
  • Lead the Creative Team to new heights in design quality while maintaining a fun, healthy, and open work environment.
  • Guided and shape the brand strategy; upheld brand standards internally and within the community.
  • Innovated and created visual communication solutions for an ever-evolving activity.
  • Collaborated with merchandise team to create exciting products based on community interests and values.
  • Ensured brand is being used correctly and effectively in all communications and merchandise.
  • Reviewed and approved design materials (print, web and mobile) for the Geocaching and Groundspeak brands for quality assurance.
  • Empowered fellow employees to become brand ambassadors.
  • Supported the Creative Team with feedback on all projects.
  • Developed team’s design and communication skills.
  • Oversaw project prioritization and scheduling.
  • Contributed to Creative Team’s production in the form of art direction and graphic design.
  

• Illustrator & Graphic Designer

  Redmond, WA
  Nov 2008 - Mar 2009

  Microsoft (contract)

  • Supported Experience Design Team with a wide range of graphic design and illustration needs for Windows Live and Windows 7
  • Illustrated stage backgrounds from concept to finish
  • Refined icons for final production
  • Illustrated and laid out guideline documents for third-party branding
  • Retouched photos for online consumer sites
  • Illustrated and laid out visuals for inter-departmental communications.

• Illustrator & Graphic Designer

  Redmond, WA
  Jun 2008 - Oct 2008

  Microsoft (contract)

  • Produced 100 richly illustrated banners for Windows Live. Delivered three different dynamic themes from concept to finish.
  • Consulted with Microsoft team to ensure brand and content integrity.
  • Required superior knowledge of Photoshop and ability to communicate within extremely restricted size and time constraints.

• Product Development Illustrator & Prototypist

  Seattle, WA
  Apr 2006 - Mar 2008

  Cranium

  • Worked with Games & Puzzles Team to conceptualize visuals and functionality of over 40 new products.
  • Designed and built in-house prototypes for game testing.
  • Provided illustration for final packaging on three new additions to product line for 2007.
  • Assisted Creative Team with layout and illustration needs for final packaging including rules, game pieces, and other unique game components.
  • Designed specs for several 3D game pieces.

• Vista Icon Designer

  Redmond, WA
  Jan 2006 - Mar 2006

  Microsoft (contract)

  • Updated existing icons to meet new brand standards.
  • Concepted and developed new icons for new features and applications.
  • Required excellent knowledge of Photoshop, extreme multitasking abilities, and strong personal communication skills.

• Prototypist

  Seattle, WA
  Jun 2005 - Jan 2006

  Cranium (contract)

  • Worked with Product Development Team to design and build test games for new product concepts.
  • Required strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, conceptual capabilities, hand skills, consistency within the brand, and ability to multi-task and work with several inter-departmental teams.
  • Assisted Creative Team with layout and production needs for final packaging.

• Graphic Design Intern

  Seattle, WA
  Jan 2004 - Nov 2004

  THREAD

  • Supported Chief Designer with concept, design and production.
  • Lead several projects
  • Participated in weekly staff meetings
  • Reviewed proofs,
  • Assisted with file organization

• Sponsorship Director

  Seattle, WA
  Jan 2005 - Jul 2006

  AIGA Seattle

  Oversaw sponsor relations/promotions, assisted with event coordination.

• Owner

  Seattle, WA
  Jan 2003 - Present

  Mike Curato Illustration & Design

  Freelance illustration and graphic design services:
  
  conceptual drawing
  storyboarding
  acrylic/oil painting
  digital illustration
  
  print
  ad
  packaging
  icons
  identity
  

• Graphic Designer

  Seattle, WA
  Apr 2009 - Aug 2010

  Groundspeak Inc.

  • Responsible for creation of all marketing materials for print.
  • Provided graphics for website and mobile apps used by over 5 million worldwide users.

Education

• BFA Illustration

  Syracuse, NY
  Aug 1999 - May 2003

  Syracuse University

  • Graduated summa cum laude
  • Dean’s List, eight semesters, 1999-2003
  • Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient, 1999-2003
  • Semester abroad in Florence, Italy