Hey There.
My name is Matthew Gearhart and I'm a Graphic Designer, Maker, and Lifelong Learner based in Des Moines, IA.
I've got an insatiable thirst to keep growing my skill set and a diverse range of interests; whether that be art related, a DIY project, woodworking, Lego, or any other hobbies – I'm a builder at heart.
Simply put, I love creating!
About Me
Eductation
Iowa State
University
Continuing
Education
College of Design (Ames, IA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Graphic Design
2007 - 2011
ISU Study Abroad Program (Rome, Italy)
Studies in Art History and Graphic Design
Fall 2011
The Odin Project / FreeCodeCamp
Foundations (Essential Tools in HTML & CSS)
< Ongoing > | GitHub
LinkedIn Learning
Graphic Design Path (Foundations, Concepts, & Adobe CC Programs)
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Foundations: Layout & Composition – Dec 2022
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Foundations: Typography – Dec 2022
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Color for Art & Design – Dec 2022
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Adobe InDesign CC – Jan 2023
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Adobe Photoshop CC – < Ongoing >
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Adobe Illustrator CC – < Upcoming >
Coursera
Google Data Analytics (Certificate of Completion)
Fall 2021 - Spring 2022
Foundations of User Experience Design (Course Certificate)
Feb 2022
Lynda Online Courses
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Adobe Premier Pro
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Adobe After Effects
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Photography
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Photo Editing (Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop)
Youtube Tutorials
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Adobe After Effects & Motion Graphics
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Photo Manipulation
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Adobe InDesign Tips & Tricks
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& More!
Experience
Railroad Sock
(Remote)
Multimedia Designer & Photographer
July 2023 - Present
Responsible for helping to rebuild the brand for one of America's oldest sock companies (circa 1901). Duties include:
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Retaking and Editing All Product Photography (in my small basement studio)
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Organizing Images & Product Data for eCommerce and Sales Team
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Complete Redesign of a New, 60-page Product Catalog
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Redesigning and Migrating the Company Website to Shopify (in-progress)
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Creating Flyers, Spreadsheets, & Other Sales Tools
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Took Over & Expanded Brand Social Media Presence (Photos, Fun Videos, & More)
Freelance Design
Freelance Graphic Designer
Dec. 2011 - Present
Selected Clients: Ignition Advertising, CaskX, CityYield, Heartland Energy Group, Railroad Sock, Dell (Nashville), Speed Stagers, Iowa Home Staging Alliance, Concrete Technologies, Inc., & more!
Dee Zee, Inc. (Des Moines, IA)
Art Director ← Graphic Designer ← Intern
Jun. 2012 - Jun. 2020
Over 8 years, developed from Intern to Art Director, responsible for the overall style of Dee Zee’s advertising & branding:
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Produced all printed materials, including the 200 page Annual Product Catalog Set
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Lead the planning, design, and execution of a 2700 sq.ft. Annual Tradeshow Exhibit (SEMA)
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Became an expert in organizing and shooting all Lifestyle/Product Photography & Video (Ads, How-to's, & More!)
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Kept skills up-to-date and expanded internal capabilities
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Helped guide & mentor fellow designer(s)
Iowa State University (Ames, IA)
Photographer & Graphic Designer
Jun. 2011 - Aug. 2011
Department: OPPTAG (Office of Pre-Collegiate Programs for the Talented & Gifted)
I shot & edited photos of activities at the summer camps for the talented and gifted youth visiting ISU. I was also responsible for the design & production of collateral including editorials & t-shirts.
Skills
Adobe Creative Suite +
Highly Proficient
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Adobe Photoshop CC
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Adobe InDesign CC
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Adobe Illustrator CC
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Adobe Lightroom Classic CC
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Adobe Premier Pro CC
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Office: Word, Powerpoint, Excel
Growing Proficiency
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Adobe After Effects CC
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Visual Studio Code (+GitHub)
Creative Skills
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Art Direction
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Typography
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Layouts / Editorial
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Photography (Shooting & Editing)
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Video (Filming & Editing)
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Branding / Identity
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Exhibition (Trade Shows, Store Sets, Wayfinding)
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Retail Packaging
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Illustrations
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Photo Manipulation
Professional Skills
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Creative Problem Solving
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Planning / Organization / Production
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Teamwork / Communication
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Lifelong Learner
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Vendor & Client Relations
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Hands-On, Builder Mindset
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Flexible / Adaptable
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Initiative / Drive
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Ethics (Emotional Intelligence)
Always Learning. Always Growing.
Growing Skills
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Web Development
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Coding (HTML, CSS, JS, SQL)
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Git Version Control
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Data Visualization
Honors
Awards
SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show
Best New Merchandising Display 2020
November 2019
Role: Art Direction
Graphic Design: Kaitlyn Stotts
Concept: Scott Moyer
SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show
Best New Merchandising Display 2019
November 2018
Role: Graphic Design
Exhibition
Smithsonian Outreach Exhibition
2012
Work selected from Abruzzo Workshop during my study abroad program in Fall 2011 to be part of the traveling Smithsonian Exhibition. The goal was to show how good design can have a positive social impact and can help revitalize communities.
Fall 2011 Rome Show
December 2011
Design and art work created during my study abroad program was publicly displayed in an Art Gallery
