Parastoo Zeraat

George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia

Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Studio, 1998

Concentration in Web/Multimedia Development and Design

Proficient on Windows and Macintosh platforms.

Web authoring with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and ColdFusion.

Web animation with Macromedia Flash.

Graphics and design with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

APCO Worldwide, Inc., Washington, D.C.
Web Developer
August 2005 - Present

Develops and designs websites and e-mailers for various high-profile clients such as Microsoft, Nike, United Airlines and Dow Corning. Throughout the design and implementation process, collaborates with a team of information architects, designers, developers, content writers and marketing specialists.

Pal-Tech, Inc., Arlington, Virginia
Multimedia Developer
January 2004 - September 2004

Supported client on-site at the U.S. Department of State's Foreign Service Institute. Developed CD- and Web-based multimedia training applications for the client. Application domains included foreign language training, leadership and management training, and information technology training. Created and reviewed designs with a team of instructional designers, graphic designers, developers, and testers. Ensured applications were accessible to all audiences (Section 508). Developed applications using HTML, CSS, Javascript, and XML.

Pearson Education, San Francisco, California
Web Developer
April 2003 - August 2003

Designed and developed companion websites, courseware, and CD-ROMs for best-selling college science textbooks. Development tools included XML, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a proprietary content management and publishing system.

Management Technology, Inc., Washington, DC
Senior Designer
August 2001-September 2002

Served client on-site at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Led design efforts on the Departmental Enforcement Center's Management System (DECMS) project. Designed and produced user interface for computer applications and layout for accompanying user manuals using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Macromedia Flash. Converted portions of the DECMS client-server application to a Web-based application. Produced deliverables using ASP/VBScript, JavaScript, and HTML.

Nasdaq, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Senior and Lead Designer
March 2001-October 2001

Led design team for nasdaq.com. Assisted with the daily look and feel of the site. Created and updated all graphical content. Created revenue-producing advertisements, targeting both national and international traffic. Involved in complete redesign effort of the nasdaq.com site, including new interface and navigation structure. Designed under the constraints of large-scale effects of seven million page views per day.

eLink Communications, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
Senior Designer
April 2000-December 2000

Led the creation of interactive presentations and Web animations for both client and corporate use. Projects included online advertisements, trade show presentations, multimedia sales presentations, interactive Web training applications, and animation elements for the corporate site. Created demonstrations of the corporate Web portal in Flash and HTML.

COURE Technologies, Inc., Manassas, Virginia
Webmaster
December 1999-March 2000

Designed, updated and maintained client websites, including e-commerce sites, database-driven sites, and secure sites. Use of HTML, JavaScript, and ASP/VBScript. Designed graphic identities for new companies, including logos, business cards, and letterheads. Managed in-house sites and projects. Assisted in the development and pricing of new services.

George Mason University, Media Authoring Center, Fairfax, Virginia
Multimedia Mentor and Designer
February 1997-July 1999

Designed and created all identity presentations, publications, signage and training materials. Provided training and assistance to both groups and individuals. Supported students, staff, and faculty in Web, multimedia and video techniques. Taught structured classes in Web, multimedia, and technology. Trained new staff members on policies and procedures.

Resume in Microsoft Word format

Lovitt Records, Flash intro for website & internationally distributed DVD.

This piece was created for Lovitt Records, an independent record company based in Arlington, VA. The client wanted an intro to unveil the new website, and particularly, the more streamlined logo.

[click image to play]

eLink Communications, Flash tradeshow presentation

"Something loud and funky" was all the direction i received from the company's founder, in a rush flash job to show off the company's products and services at a tradeshow in New York City.

[click image to play]

eLink Communications, "Learning Solutions"

This piece, created for the Learning Solutions division of eLink Communications, is used to illustrate to new hires the company's process for signing and wiring a building with fiber. Flash allowed for a more interesting and engaging way of presenting this often cumbersome and complicated information.

[click image to play]

eLink Communications, Flash timeline.

eLink Communications wanted a modern-looking timeline on their website to illustrate the "Birth of a DotCom". History in the making.

[click image to play]

Embers of Euphoria, Bay Area Metal Band

Website Design & Development

Objective: Embers of Euphoria are an up-and-coming thrash band who desperately needed a logo design and web presence to keep their listeners informed.

Approach: I gave Embers a gothic-styled logo to match their dark, brooding music and a website to match [note: website has been graphically altered since my involvement].

embersofeuphoria.com

[click image to enlarge]

Kereshmeh, Professional Make-Up Artist

Website Design & Development [in progress]

Objective: Kereshmeh, Make-Up Artist from Stockholm, wanted a hip website to showcase her portfolio of work and her work experience.

Approach: I used soft colors, a simple design and a rotating image display to show off her portfolio.

kereshmeh.se

[click image to enlarge]

Drugs of Faith, DC Area Grindcore Band

Website Design & Development

Objective: Drugs of Faith wanted a political and dark website to post show dates, merchandise and band updates.

Approach: I implemented an album-inspired design and dark colors, as well as clean navigation to give users maximum access to information.

drugsoffaith.com

[click image to enlarge]

Brewtallica, Bay Area Metallica Cover Band

Website Design & Development

Objective: The Bay Area Metallica cover band wanted a thrash-inspired website to post show dates and news.

Approach: The site featured rotating stylesheets featuring the 1st four Metallica albums.

[website has been removed due to disbandment]

[click image to enlarge]

Friedlander Misler Law Firm

Website Design

Objective: Friedlander Misler, Attorneys at Law, wanted a website that was anything but cliche. Being an established law firm with a strong client base, they felt they could be a bit more risky and innovative with their web presence.

Approach: The Friedlander Misler site became anything but typical. Using a trendy letterbox design and abstract imagery, strong navigation and eventually a more varied palette, the site became a very exciting part of Friedlander Misler's identity.

dclawfirm.com

[click image to enlarge]

nasdaq.com

Website Design, circa 2001

Objective: Users of the Nasdaq.com website are concerned with retrieving information – and not having to wait for it. Producers of Nasdaq.com wanted to incorporate their existing templates to ensure a painless transition.

Approach: I suggested using a DHTML/Javascript drop menu for the navigation, allowing for additional space for organization of graphical and advertising elements, a new left navigation, and keeping with their compartmentalized look.

[click image to enlarge]

eLink Communications, Inc.

Proposed Website Design, circa 2000, Version 1

Objective: eLink wanted a fresh approach to their website--wanting to instill confidence in their clients regarding their professionalism and reliability, but also be looked upon as hip and up-to-date.

Approach: Here, i presented eLink with three different comps (see below) with dynamic color schemes and a very compartmentalized organization that wouldn't be too encroaching or stuffy.

[click image to enlarge]

eLink Communications, Inc.

Proposed Website Design, circa 2000, Version 2

[click image to enlarge]

eLink Communications, Inc.

Proposed Website Design, circa 2000, Version 3

[click image to enlarge]

Earlyman Technologies, Business card design.

[click image to enlarge]

This logo prototype was developed for a business specializing in the development of up-and-coming companies.

This is a logo design that i created from sketches that the client handed over to me. Months of rehashing a corporate theme, logos and clothing prototypes produced this series of designs. The color schemes and variations will be used on t-shirts, hats and other clothing items.

[click image to enlarge]