Michael Scholze

Michael
Scholze
Art Direction Interactive + Print
2008 mini works
MICHAEL SCHOLZE
michael@wideopen.ws
314.608.5820
Having a background in illustration, an eye for detail and a passion for creativity, I have planned and
executed projects ranging from elaborate multimedia experiences to traditional media solutions. As a
strategic art director with a robust style, I strive to push the envelope with every project.
I am currently working as a Senior Art Director for NSI (The National System Inc.), a marketing services
company in downtown St. Louis.
I am a thirty four year old father of two and husband of one with a passion for creative and an addiction to
technology. In my spare time I turn wrenches on a modified 1991 mustang and apply the ideas of hot rod
modification to my other disciplines.
HISTORY
The National System, Inc (1919). ~ Senior Art Director
05.15.1998 to 06.16.2000 and 06.19.2001 to Present
• Define the scope of the work and execute from blank paper to keylines.
• Lead in interactive, web marketing, viral and front-end design/creative projects, as well as mentor and
providing design direction for.
• Build working relationships of mutual respect with clients and coworkers.
• Maintain knowledge of current trends relevant to all design disciplines.
• Contribute to team and individual development.
Influence:: LLC. ~ Web Designer
06.19.2000 to 06.19.2001
These passions are the inspiration for my self identity,
WIDEOPEN full throttle creative and the “WO” piston logo.
KNOWLEDGE
Illustrator ~ Photoshop ~ QuarkXPress ~ Freehand ~ Streamline ~ Corel Draw ~ ImageReady ~ Fireworks ~ Dreamweaver ~ GoLive ~
BBEdit ~ Flash ~ LiveMotion ~ HTML ~ XML ~ JavaScript ~ Acrobat ~ Flash ~ SoundEdit 16 ~ LightWave 3D ~ Swift 3D ~ Adobe
Dimensions ~ Mac OS 7 - X ~ Norton Utilities ~ FTP Protocol ~ Word ~ Excel ~ PowerPoint ~ Windows 95 - 2000 ~ HomeSite
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Define the scope of the work and execute from blank paper to keylines.
Work with team of multimedia designers, lead in Flash application design
Build working relationships of mutual respect with clients and coworkers.
Maintain knowledge of current trends relevant to all design disciplines.
Responsible for digital media design, usability design and interface design solutions.
Priority One ~ Art Director
04.05.1996 to 05.10.1998
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
Flash ActionScripting ~ Illustration ~ Animation
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Design T-shirt for various applications.
Manual illustration.
Separate files for simulated process printing on dark garments.
Provide direction and supervision for staff.
ACCOLADES
2002 Golden Web Award (International Association of Web Masters & Designers.) - wideopen.ws v.1
2004 Silver TAM Award - Anheuser-Busch Game Room Catalog
2004 Bronze TAM Award - Mercedes Benz Launch Kit
2005 Gold TAM Award - LandRover Way Event Intranet Website.
2006 Gold TAM Award - NSI Identity and Website
2006 Gold TAM Award - NSI Digital Marketing Booth
2006 Gold TAM Award - Mazda Pair-A-Dice Trade Promotion
2006 Best in Class TAM Award - Here’s to Beer Marketing Website
Quickpoint ~ Production / Retouching
02.08.1995 to 03.21.1996
• Retouch art and render CRA films.
• Prepare films for litho printing.
• Build working relationships of mutual respect with clients and coworkers.
Freelance Web Design
04.05.1994 to Present
Budshop.com
CHALLENGE
Anheuser-Busch wanted to re-design their e-commerce site and improve on search
engine ranking's while employing and 21 gate log-in screen.
SOLUTION
We delivered a look that was not brand specific while implementing features that made
the experience easier to shop. Current 21 gate log-in screens were causing problems with
search engine spiders crawling recent content.
By using a Modal window we were able to put the 21 gate log-in inline, making the page
content readable by search engines. Flash buckets were embedded with Javascript
while alternate content mirrored these buckets. This also provided a solution to
indexing the flash content.
getasam.com
CHALLENGE
SAM wanted a site that stood out from the competition while making the brand seem
more friendly.
SOLUTION
We focused the brands name and pushed the human factor with the name “sam”. A
layered color scheme makes the site easy to scan while cheeky language focused on the
human element.
An interactive container gives the user an opportunity to perform a “mini” tour showing of
some of the benefits and communicates in the first person.
eMZee
CHALLENGE
Mazda wanted to appeal to younger drivers
SOLUTION
We came up with an underground Battle of the Bands viral campaign where users voted
on local bands .
Here’s to Beer Marketing
HTBMarketing.com is a marketing resource for Beer Wholesalers. This site is a resource
for wholesalers of any brand giving them the tools to promote beer consumption offer
distilled spirits.
HTBMarketing won a 2006 best in class TAM award.
apogee
Identity for NSI’s proprietary asset management application suite.
CUSTOMIZER
ePLANNER
FEATURE ITEM
LIST MANAGER/RELATIONSHIP
SURVEY
CREATIVE LIBRARY
Budweiser Bar Set
Packaging concepts for Anheuser-Busch’s “Brewmasters Club” bar set.
Icelandic Glacial H2O
P.O.S concepts for Anheuser-Busch’s Icelandic Glacial H2O.
Delicious
Promotional concepts for Anheuser-Busch’s Heres to Beer campaign