Kathleen Kelly

Professional Summary
Creative Project Manager with deep knowledge of end-to-end immersive game, and virtual reality development, coupled with an expertise in art production and project pipelines. Highly detailed, strategic and risk averse project tracking with a sharp focus on client relations and product objectives with over 5 years 100% on time and on budget launch rate.
Technical Qualifications
     3D Prototyping Software, Figma
     XR: Metaverse, Amazon Web Services (AWS), ArborXR
     Project Management Software: MS Project, Asana, Slack, Bug Box
     Professional Photography for Game Capture; Maya Software Operations
     Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Acrobat Pro
     Google Suite, Apple Suite, Microsoft Office
     Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
     Quest 2 Headsets Operation & Training
Relevant Work Experience
Technical and Creative Project Management
   Sun Sea Originals, LLC and Kelly Art Studios, LLC (Florida and Connecticut)
        Program Designer, Creative Project Manager | Lead Artist (2D, AR, VR)
        - Professional digital illustrator and 2D Visual Designer with expertise in concept devlopment
        - Provide 2D art, written content, illustration, scope, storyboard, UI and UX design
        - Managed and oversaw development, pipelines, verification and launch of digital products
        - Lead Artist, illustrator, scene painter, muralist and photographer
        - Clients: Virtical Virtual Reality Studio, Atheneum, Penguin, Teaching K-8 Magazine, CIGNA
   The McGraw-Hill Companies, New Media Division; Connecticut
        Project Manager and 2D Artist
        - Managed development of multi-million dollar interactive simulation-based reading, science, and math
           products for state adoption
         - Served as a product manager and key holder with deep knowledge of product requirements, cross
           functional processes, and pipelines
         - Introduced new process for company-wide change request procedures for risk management resulting in
            over $300,000 surplus towards each project budget
         - Highly detailed, strategic and risk averse project tracking of budgets, client, and product objectives
         - Led teams through candid feedback, lessons learned, and responsive innovation sessions
         - Collaborated with 80+ experts in multiple time zones with expertise in ID, art, animation, translation,
           AV, engineering, documentation, UX, permissions, legal, and QA. Managed offshore developers and
           verified deliverables
        Digital Illustrator, Lead Outsource Artist
        - Responsible for digital concept, design, illustration, and product development in collaboration with
          Instructional Designers and Engineers
        - Assisted with the launch of engaging, interactive educational software for grades K-12.
        - Outsourced Art Lead to art vendors and communicated project demands and requirements to vendors
        - Verified and reviewed all art in process and final art assets to ensure highest standards of quality and
           consistency across MH brand
        - Processed invoices for completed projects and provided signatures for accounts receivable
  Left Brain Games, Inc., Torrington, CT
        Creative Technologist https://www.lbgdev.biz/industry.php
        - Responsible for innovating and pivoting between multiple B2B products as primary technical artist within
           a fast moving, rapidly evolving agile startup
        - Assisted in the launch of direct to consumer interactive mobile games
        - Branded products, designed marketing materials and developed corporate website utilizing
           WordPress platform
        - Created art assets, user interface, and wireframes and wrote product stories
       - Performed cross-platform testing, reported bugs and collaborated with engineers
       - Served as Art Lead and advised on UX and levels and game tutorials
       - Clients: Art Ovation Hotel (Sarasota, FL), Arcos (Sarasota, FL), Mattel, DARPA, Virigames, PBS, Kid Awesome, EyeTech Digital Systems and Ripley Entertainment
Art Educator
  IXL Learning, WyZant Tutoring, Sarasota, FL
      Art Tutor
      - Provide one-on-one art tutoring virtually and in person for over 100 students
      - Specialize in character design, concept art, anatomy, painting, drawing, and digital art
      - Teach students with Autism or different learning abilities or preferences on various art techniques
     - Certified in AP Art assisting students with portfolio development
     - Responsible for communicating with parents and provide comprehensive feedback and documentation
       regarding student progress
     - Document and share onboarding evaluations, session notes, and final evaluations with students and parents
  Developing Artist Institute, LLC, Manchester, CT
     Director, Hiring Manager, Marketing & Communications and Lead Teacher 
    - Founded a successful private art education school and hired and trained staff of five art educators
    - Engaged directly with clients, parents, and built community partnerships
    - Developed customized education plans for individual students prior to enrolling in coursework which
      included a comprehensive plan for portfolio development for over 200 students
    - Designed and implemented an inclusive, differentiated 2D and 3D art curricula and instructed classes and
      camps throughout the year
    - Assisted graduates with securing continuing education opportunities and enrollment into art colleges
    - Planned, facilitated, installed and marketed monthly art exhibitions open to the public
Education
   Hartford Art School
       Master of Fine Arts Degree (MFA), University of Hartford, CT – GPA 3.91
       Graduated Summa Cum Laude, Bernard Vinick International Scholar Award
   Paier College of Art
       Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA), Hamden, CT – GPA 3.49
       Graduated Magna Cum Laude, Awards of Distinction
   Certifications:
             McGraw-Hill: MS Project, Managing Multiple Projects       
             LinkedIn Learning: AutoCAD 360
   Additional Coursework:
       XR Bootcamp
              XR Design Fellowship (Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality Programs)
       Fairfield University
              Graphic Design
       University of Salamanca
             Spanish Language
        University South Florida  
             Courses in Microsoft Power Platform
Portfolio and Additional Experience
   Links to Portfolio
Additional Experience:
 Volunteer HD Camera Operator for a Church Production Departments
Outback Presents Nashville, Beyond Van Gogh Crew Member, Sarasota, FL - greeted and engaged customers entering art experience, took photos of visitors, secured 30,000 feet of gallery space, and utilized 2-way radio and Slack to ensure smooth event operations, communication with staff, and safety of visitors.
 

P O R T F O L I O

XR Design Case Studies
Creative Clients and Student Artists
Interactive Games & Tutorials
2D Artist | McGraw-Hill New Media Division
AR / VR Program Design & Creative Launch
Theme Park | Agritourism
Skills
Still and Video Capture and Post Production
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