Ron Brouwer Email & Phone Number

Calgary, Alberta

My current position is senior graphic designer and prepress system administrator for a team of 6, serving a production department of 6 offset presses plus various large format and digital output peripherals. Graphic design is my key discipline, with projects ranging in scope from corporate identity packages to retail marketing campaigns. Concept to completion is the order of the day, and I excel in providing our clients with turn-key design solutions for multi-faceted campaigns. My technical responsibilities include administration, management and training of the Heidelberg Printready PDF workflow, as well as output calibration of plates from the Heidelberg Suprasetter 74, and colour management and calibration of all output devices.Strengths and Achievements-Multiple award winner for graphic design and production quality-Diverse and impactful design portfolio ranging from magazine layout to package design-Capable multi-tasker, able to deliver consistent quality under tight deadlines-Expert level command of Adobe Creative Cloud, QuarkXPress, CorelDraw and Printready PDF Workflow-Solid understanding of front-end web development (HTML / CSS / Javascript / JQuery)

Burlington, Ontario

My role as General Manager of this busy prepress service bureau focused primarily on timely delivery of final film, plates and contract proofs to the printing and advertising industries in the Hamilton / Burlington / Oakville area of Southern Ontario. Heading a production team of 6, my responsibilities included customer service and project consultation, quoting, multiple project coordination, delegation of projects and project components to staff and suppliers, workflow systems administration and maintenance, as well as research and implementation of improved digital graphics systems, purchasing and day-to-day administrative tasks.Hands-on prepress duties included graphic design and layout of magazines, brochures and various marketing collateral, imposition and output of customer supplied files to a 20"x24"​ Scangraphic Othello filmsetter, film assembly (including duping and manual trapping) up to 30"x40", blueline, colour-key and MatchPrint proofing, scanning and retouching, and platemaking. Strengths and Achievements-Implemented move to digital film output from traditional methods-Adapted traditional graphic design skills to the digital medium-Developed solid command of digital graphics applications and best practices on both Mac and PC platforms-Developed excellent interpersonal and communication skills through day-to-day client consultations

In this first post-apprenticeship position I managed a small prepress department serving 3 presses (Heidelberg GTO 2-Colour, Toko 2-Colour and Ryobi 3200 1-Colour). Duties included graphic design and layout of brochures and stationery, illustration, paste-up and mark-up, typesetting, darkroom management (shooting film and PMTs), film assembly, proofing and plating. I regularly consulted with clients, and managed multiple projects from concept to completion under tight deadlines. Strengths and Achievements-Pushed the limits of this small printshop by introducing 3 and 4-colour production through advanced film assembly techniques-Mastered paste-up and mark-up techniques to effectively communicate assembly by third-party services

I worked in the bindery of our family printshop - an operation of about 15 employees, featuring an array of 2-colour presses, full darkroom facilities, film assembly and art departments - for about 2 years. During this time I apprenticed with journeyman film strippers and darkroom technicians learning the fundamentals of the trade, and was soon managing the darkroom on the evening shift.