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What I have my hands in

  • Early sketch of a design
    Presenting at Adobe with Sally Cox

    "Hard work means prosperity;
    Only a fool idles away his time." (Proverbs)

    I'm diving into a wide variety of design projects left and right. Here is a list of the things I'm involved in today:

    • Graphic Design Club, Art Institute of California - President
    • Creative Suite Adobe User Group: San Jose - Co-Manager, blogger
    • Art Institute of California - Sunnyvale - Ambassador, Leadership Committee
    • Trigger Magazine - Layout Design team
    • Yan Can Cook - Website Re-design
    • Kiosk Interface Design with Kat Contreras - Design
 

A bit about me

  • Steve at 4 years old

    My name is Steve Dolan as you've probably gathered by now. I was born on August 7, 1983 in Mountain View, California and currently study Web Design & Interactive Media.

    I am by profession, a web designer, and now moving and expanding my expertise to other realms of media, Digital Video / Photography, Interface Design and Graphic Design. I've worked in construction, as a bartender, a Kirby vaccuum salesman, lifeguard, 5th/6th grade science and summer camp instructor, and a freelance web and graphic designer.

    I’m a designer of both digital and non-digital art, and my passion lies at the bridging of these two mediums. I enjoy applying this passion not only in the literal sense of print and web design, but at the core idea of good design being able to traverse many creative platforms. I appreciate idea-based design, but at the same time I also appreciate design that triggers an emotional response.

    My professional strengths include wireframing/prototyping, interface design, and front-end development. I take pride in keeping up with and adhering to current web standards and best practices. Every project incites me, because I believe there’s always an opportunity to do something awesome. I strive to be a clear communicator, and work to ensure all the decisions I’m making in a project are conveying something.

    I believe that clear communication steers the course for decisive action, which is why I’m passionate about planning for designs. In order for someone to trust my instincts and elicit my services, they need to know who I am and what I my capabilities are before they’ll consider getting on board. After all, without thoughtful preparation, how effectively are we communicating?

    With every new client, I find it gratifying to spend time chatting comfortably about who they are, what they do, and what they want, using research and planning as a roadmap. Listening to what they have to say is an important component of building my plan for the project. In some of my best moments, I have made clients feel like I'm an old and loyal friend they can always depend on.

    Design is problem solving. Solving design problems is my passion. I like to design strong, standards-compliant websites and help develop brands.

    I'm passionate about typography, grid-based design and—above all—keeping things clear and simple.

     
  • Opinions, preferences and favorites

    Occupation: Web/Graphic/New Media Designer, Friend


    Marriage: I plan to live life first.


    Kids: Someday, yes. I want 2.


    Honeymoon: I'm thinking Hawaii, Australia, Carribean or New Zealand.


    Food: I like Burritos, most Pasta and Steak.


    Drink: I rarely drink soda...so most "juices". I really enjoy Snapple's "elements" drinks. whenever I go to a restaurant I usually make an arnold palmer (half lemonade, half unsweetened iced tea).


    TV show: I can't just pick one, so: 24, Simpsons, House, Fringe, Heroes, Modern Marvels


    Guilty Pleasure: Going to a bookstore and reading books and magazines, and not paying.


    Color: Orange


    Male singer: Rob Thomas


    Female singer: Gwen Stefani, though I don't like her solo stuff. And the more I listen to Lady Gaga, the more I like her.


    Band(s): Matchbox Twenty, Everclear, AFI, Eve 6, Third Eye Blind, Default, Hoobastank, Lost Prophets, Smashing Pumpkins, Rise Against, TONS more...


    Weekend Activities: Work- websites, movies, just plain old fashioned hanging out with friends. The Beach. And sometimes golf.


    Day of the week: Thursday


    Month: Summer - does that count?


    Holiday: Used to be Halloween. Then Christmas. Now it's Independance Day.


    Number: 2714 (as of August 8, 2002) formally 4. Long, funny story why, too. You should ask me sometime.


    Cookie: Home-made. Or Chips Ahoy crunched up in a milkshake or glass of milk. mmmmm... :: I'll be right back ::


    Candy bar: Baby Ruth and Mr. Goodbar. Goobers are awesome too.


    Restaurant: Pasta Pomodoro.


    Type of music: Mostly Alternative, but most kinds. I can't stand hip-hop/rap, opera, most jazz, and most Blues and Country.


    Radio Stations: Channel 92.3, Live 105, 107.7 The bone


    Store: Pac Sun/Zumiez


    Vacation spot: Steven's Creek Resevoir. Seabright Beach. Catalina Island, Lake Tahoe


    Clothing: Shorts, t-shirt, flip flops - very relaxing. But for colder weather Im usually good with regular pants and a hoodie. Usually skater shoes.


    Song: Someday by Rob Thomas


    Quotes from a movie: "It will test your head, And your mind, and your Brain, too" - Jack Black/School of Rock


    Quote: "We all need heroes; courageous, self-sacraficing people, setting examples for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them how to hold on a second longer. I believe there's a hero in all of us that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride; even though sometimes we have to be steady and give up the thing we want the most, even our dreams." - Aunt May- Spiderman 2




    Personal

    Who is my role model: Jymn "scooby" Meier. Even though he doesn't talk to me anymore, and I don't know why.


    Am I happy with my life: Yes. There are rough spots all over the place but I've come pretty far in a short amount of time.


    Roller coasters-deadly or exciting: exciting!!


    What is in my room?: Lots of "beachy" stuff like shells and starfish. I have a bed, stereo, lots of toys (i.e. slinky, silly puddy, camera, rubrics cube) but most important - MUSIC!! Theres always something playing in my room. Dumbells, coffee mug, and Men's Health magazine.


    Do I want a tattoo? if so what of and where: This has been on my mind. I havn't decided yet, and of what if I do decide. But I've thought about it a lot. It depends on what it is, as to where I put it. A tattoo should be a private thing I think. Only special people should be allowed to see it.


    How is the weather right now?: Chilly, which means cozy inside.


    What are some movies I saw in the theater recently: 2010, This is It.


    What does the shirt u have on now say: Nothing. It's a charcoal grey v-neck sweater. But the other day I wore a South Park one with Stan on it that says "I learned something today"




    Have I ever...

    Fallen asleep in a movie theater: Yes - during a movie called "The Fourth Kind". Before that complete waste of my time, I had a pretty nice track record -26 years of not falling asleep during a movie.


    Shopped at Abercrombie and Fitch: Never!


    Said, "I love you," and meant it: Every time, special words shouldn't be abused or misused.


    Lied to my best friends: A long time ago, before I learned how pointless lying is. I may bend the truth or not tell the WHOLE truth - but thats only on special circumstances. I believe in white lies but only to prevent discovery of a surprise.


    Made prank calls?: Not so much anymore, but I now do the pranks on people who call me - soliciters mostly. It's fun to act really interested or like something crazy is going on in the house and confuse the person on the other end of the line.


    Skipped school/Played hooky: Yeah, I'm guilty.



    Other facts

    Taking pictures relaxes me.


    I did 1 full year in public high school at Mountain View High in 1999. The rest of my High School life I spent at home doing independant study (not home school) so that I can work during the day. And ended up getting my GED.


    I listen to Alternative Rock, some Pop, Some Classic Rock, Oldies (but goodies). I have a variety of Music that I listen to. I can't stand listening to Opera, Rap (hip-hop, r & b whatever you want to call it), and most Country - I did enjoy the pre-pubesent Billy Gilman.


    I'm a Coca Cola person. Say NO to Pepsi products.


    I placed 4th in a Karate Tournament when I was 10. Karate influence was inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and I'm proud of it.


    I enjoy skiing and I LOOOVE snowball fights.


    I think kids are the greatest.


    I enjoy working on websites. I enjoy pretty much anything that has to do with: Digital imaging, website design, production/direction, screenwriting, editing, and music videos. I want to be able to look up on the big screen or watch TV and say "I did that".


    I have Scoliosis.


    My right eye is lazy (not cross eyed). I was born without a muscle in my eye, thats why it's crooked. It also explains my partial blindness. It's not anything I can help but I wish I could. It sometimes is extremely difficult to look someone in the eye in a one on one conversation...a serious insecurity of mine.


    I think in random thoughts and I don't work linearly.


    I'm pretty strong in thought that kids should have a right to choose their own school hours.


    I have a great sense of humor.


    Other people's mess tends to bother me, but my mess doesn't.


    I used to wear a hat every day.


    I used to collect sunglasses and hats. Now only own 1 hat, 1 beanie, and 1 pair of sunglasses.

  • New website/portfolio!

    I'm averaging once site a year. Previously, I had my personal website and portfolio seperate. This time around, I decided to combine them. You can view the old version below: