I take a user-centered approach to design and illustration. I enjoy brainstorming with clients and other designers to transform ideas into effective visual communication in print and online. I look forward to the moment when the client says, “Yes! That’s what I imagined.” I’ve been an illustrator, designer and art director at dozens of publications and agencies, and in higher education. My strengths include imaginative illustration, concept development (yes! brainstorming!), branding and application, art direction, production management, typography, publication layout, and information design. I'm easy to work with, very fast, and diligent about deadlines. Expert in industry-standard Adobe design software, I also work daily with WordPress and content management systems. I'm prepress -savvy, and also comfortable rebuilding print projects for online deployment.BIOI completed a Master of Arts in Illustration at FIT in 2010. The illustration disciplines I studied there have encouraged me to tell visual stories in fresh and imaginative ways. I formed a productive partnership with technology years ago, and became an expert user of digital media as a creative tool. Nevertheless, I believe that all successful design begins in the mind of the designer, and that our most precise and expressive tools are the designer’s eyes and hands, regardless of technological production methods.In 1997, I built Artist Resource, a non-profit organization and online publication which served one million members of the art and design community every year, until 2003. Since 1993, I have taught visual design, publication design, image acquisition and editing, digital illustration, information design, and portfolio development at colleges and design schools. I have also lectured and provided corporate training in design applications, publication design, and pre-press techniques. I give my students the resources to create original work, through hands-on projects that meet real-world objectives.I love watching the light go on. — Li