About
Andrew Jason Santos is a Graphic Designer, UI/UX Designer, Digital Illustrator, Indie Game Developer, and sometimes Musician, originally from Southern California. I've worked as a creative professional for 15+ years, in California and NYC, and have been creating art, music, and games my whole life.
I worked in NYC for 3 years (and now San Diego for 6), creating apps and games from the ground up, as well as custom branding and marketing for numerous startups. I enjoy working on projects and with people looking to make a real difference in the world, to positively affect people's everyday lives. I believe this is attainable across numerous mediums, and strive to stay versatile and wear many hats in order to do so.
I'm interested in the non-profit sector, as well as in game development / entertainment, seeing both as a means of calling users to action and awareness, and to challenge and grow emotions and opinions. I'm currently based in San Diego, California.
Education
B.A. in Art - Graphic Design
Sept. 2004 – June 2008
California State University, San Bernardino
Minor in Music - Recording Arts
Sept. 2004 – June 2008
California State University, San Bernardino
Skills
Management & Leadership
Lead Creative Roles, System Building & Production Management, Mentoring
Design & Illustration
Sketch, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Digital Painting, Tablet Drawing, Photo Manipulation, Pixel Art, Print & Web
Interaction & Games
InVision, Proto.io, GameMaker Studio, Stencyl, Unity, UX Design, Fourwinds Interactive
Web Design & Coding
HTML/CSS, Wordpress, Squarespace, Some PHP & JavaScript, Dreamweaver
Motion Graphics & Animation
After Effects, Premier, Flash, Photoshop, Flash (RIP)
Music & Sound
Garageband, Audacity, Beepbox, BFXR, Piano, Guitar, Voice, Choir, Composition, Song Writing
Experience
Creative Freelance & Art/Design Generalist
May 2014 - Ongoing
Self Employed
San Diego, CA & New York, NY
I provide creative services to a number of different clients and organizations, anything from UI/UX system design for web & app startups, to art & design work for local non-profit orgs, as well as animations, pixel art, & graphic and UI/UX design for both commercial & indie games.
Created several official Pixel Art sprites & animations for "Stranger Things 3: The Game"
Organize the “Indie Creatives San Diego” Meetup for Indie Game Development, Music, & Comics from 2018-Present
Served as a Board Member for the San Diego International Game Developers Association (IGDA) from 2019-2020
Tabled & Demonstrated “Anxiety Adventure” at the Triton Game EXPO in San Diego in 2018
Alumnus of “IndieCade” games festival after submitting indie game demo “R.E.M.” in 2014
Showcased “R.E.M.” game demo to audience of over 200 play-testers at Microsoft’s NYC HQ in 2014
Senior Digital Designer
January 2020 – August 2020
Lofta
San Diego, CA
I served as the sole creative & design lead in a unique and growing sleep apnea e-sales & service providing space, working in both digital & print environments to further build & promote the Lofta brand.
Produced frequent marketing materials & email campaigns, including interactive Google, Facebook, and Instagram ads
Crafted in-depth informational & instructional materials for Lofta clients & sleep therapists in the form of booklets, cards, & brochures
Refined & incrementally improved overall CX on the comprehensive Lofta website, numerous drip campaigns, extensive “sleep reports”, DocuSign-based medical paperwork & contracts, & other experiences
Freelance Graphic Designer
October 2019 – January 2020
ZD Design Agency
San Diego, CA
Performed on a part time basis as the sole digital & print design lead in a small, agile agency setting, helping small to mid-size businesses with website UI/UX, branding, business cards, & other marketing materials.
Worked swiftly & independently in a remote capacity, with diverse & varying client needs, on multiple projects
Created extensive & fully realized design strategies & mockups with minimal direction or client interaction
Senior Web Designer
May 2019 – August 2019
XYO Network
San Diego, CA
Designed concepts, wireframes, full renderings, and functioning prototypes for website, app, and game UI/UX, pertaining to cryptocurrency based experiences and marketplaces.
Functioned as the sole design/creative role in the company during a heavy transitional period
Created custom branding & assets for rapid marketing / PR rollouts & new product pushes
Worked within sales tools such as Click Funnels to optimize conversions & serve customers
Reported directly to company owners & other team leads daily, both in office & remotely
Sr. Content Graphic Designer
September 2015 – March 2018
Recovery Brands
San Diego, CA
I design UI/UX systems and produce visual content for various digital properties in the substance abuse recovery and rehabilitation industry.
Was promoted from Content Graphic Designer position after one year
Direct various projects creatively from conception through production
Build unique UI/UX systems for a plethora of web sites and pages
Guide and help develop junior designers
Conceptualize and Execute complex infographics
Create long form visual content
UI & Graphic Designer (Freelance)
January 2015 – April 2016
Private WiFi
Manhattan, New York, NY
I developed user interface design for the Private WiFi mobile app, as well as branding and support graphics.
Designed comprehensive “2.0” app experience for Android and IOS mobile and tablet platforms
Updated Private WiFi branding to be more modern, progressive, and competitive
Sr. Graphic Designer
Mar. 2013 – May 2014
App Partner Development
DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY
I was the senior graphic and user interface designer, working directly with both clients and internal staff to create visually striking and intuitive user experiences for mobile applications and games.
Promoted to senior design position & creative team lead within first two months
Served as creative & artistic lead of the company
Designed interfaces for several apps & games from conception to completion
Created complete custom branding & marketing support materials for various projects
Supervised, Trained and Interviewed junior designers and artists
Revised company design procedures and policies
UI/UX & Graphic Designer (Freelance)
Jan. 2013 – Oct. 2013
CAMINTEL Group, LLC
New York, NY
On a periodic basis, I developed & designed the company logo, brand, & mascot, as well as designed the initial user interface templates for the near field communication mobile app & website.
Worked on presentation materials for the Miller Lite “Tap the Future” Business Competition
Served as a creative consultant for brand decisions & strategy
Staff Graphic Designer
Dec. 2008 – Sept. 2012
Santos Manuel Student Union
@ Cal State San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
I was promoted to the first non-student full-time designer in the organization after graduating & working as a student for one year.
Supervised & developed student designers & interns, 4-8 per quarter
Assisted in the expansion of the department from 3 student designers to over 20 students
Planned all original branding & advertisements for the 1st annual CSUSB Ecofest fair
Conceptualized & created the official SMSU mascot “Odie Yotie”
Updated & maintained SMSU web sites & digital monitor systems
Represented the SMSU at several regional & national conferences
Directed several video & motion graphics promotions
Student Graphic Designer
Sept. 2007 – Dec. 2008
Santos Manuel Student Union
@ Cal State San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
I was brought onto a small 3 student designer team to work on special projects that went out of the typical scope of event posters & print design.
Redesigned the SMSU web site & digital display monitor interfaces
Produced the first SMSU Scheduling & Services informational brochure; 5000 were printed & distributed to various Southern California businesses & organizations
Planned individual marketing efforts for events, promotions, & other materials
Awards
"Steal This Idea" 2012
ACUI Region 15 // Design Competition
2nd Place: Apparel
3rd Place: Promotional Campaign
"Steal This Idea" 2011
ACUI Region 15 // Design Competition
1st Place: Digital Ad, Motion GFX, Invitation
2nd Place: Apparel, Banner, Calendar, Digital Ad, Signage
3rd Place: Brand Identity, Digital Ad, Motion GFX, Open, Print Ad, Signage, Video Promotion, Web Site
"Steal This Idea" 2010
ACUI Region 15 // Design Competition
1st Place: Logo
3rd Place: 4 Color Poster
"Steal This Idea" 2009
ACUI Region 15 // Design Competition
1st Place: Advertisement
2nd Place: Web Site
3rd Place: Advertisement