WELCOME to KrausGrafik!

"Great oaks from little          acorns grow."

–German proverb

After 27 years in journalism I’m looking to take my creative and management skills and take the next step – plant a new tree and make it grow. For me, that means jumping into the market as an independent entrepreneur in search of opportunities for creativity and growth.

I’m enthusiastic and feeling energized about doing something new. In addition to that enthusiasm, I can bring to bear a number of other qualities that can help you and your company get the job done.

I’m a mature, seasoned professional with a proven record of bringing excellence to the publications I’ve worked for, as well as a knowledge of how to build collaborative relationships with colleagues and the community. The creative products I’ve produced have benefited the Capital Region community every day as part of a comprehensive daily news and graphics package.

I can apply the same successful creative and communications skills for your company in crafting interesting, well-designed content, managing your creative staff or accounts, or representing your clients with the media and the community.

Take a look at what I have to offer, then let’s work together to put to work for you the very best in photography, design, writing, and a variety of other creative and management skills.

 . . . Dave Kraus, January 2012

View Portfolio >>

RESUME

SUMMARY

Skilled media practitioner with expertise as a project and communications manager, creative director, print editor, publication designer, writer, photographer and illustrator. Advanced interpersonal skills with longtime experience as team leader. Accomplished professional with a proven record of delivering complete, creative product on deadline and within budget.

Specific experience in the following areas . . .

• Publication and page design
• Photography
• Photo & digital illustration
• Writing
• Magazine/newsletter editing and production
• Project management
• Supervision, evaluation, coaching
• Community relations
• Strategic planning/budgeting
• Assignment and event planning

EXPERIENCE

OWNER, KRAUSGRAFIK SERVICES – SCHENECTADY, NY . . . 2008-PRESENT

• Owner/operator offering design, photographic, writing, editing, and consulting services in the Capital Region and nationally.

VISUALS EDITOR, THE DAILY GAZETTE – SCHENECTADY, NY . . . 1992-2008

• Completed management of visuals projects on deadline for publication in 50,000 circulation daily newspaper.
• Supervised six person staff covering a six-county area with responsibility for $300,000 annual budget.
• Originated creative ideas and finished design, photographic, and illustrative content for all sections of the newspaper.  Effectively allocated staff resources to translate creative concepts into finished published content.
• Collaborated with internal/external clients to plan coverage and obtain access. Monitored project quality and collaborated in advance planning for all news and feature coverage. Recommended visuals usage for news and feature publication.
• Contributed to strategic initiatives, including graphic redesign, conversion to digital photography, introduction of zoning over multiple editions and implementation of full featured Web site.
• Achievements . . .

• Led staff that won over 50 regional, state and national awards.
• Consistently succeeded in delivering high quality product in a high stress environment requiring frequent reorganization and quick decision making.
• Initiated “Capital Visions” photo story series to give readers expanded photo coverage and increase creative opportunities for staff.

EDITOR, FLASHPAN MAGAZINE – NPPA REGION TWO (NORTHEASTERN US/CANADA & EUROPE) . . . 1994-1996

• Supervised all aspects of content creation and production for regional ROP magazine for National Press photographers Association. Winner of NPPA Outstanding Regional Publication award in 1996.

PHOTO EDITOR, THE REPORTER, VACAVILLE, CA . . . 1989-1992

• Supervised staff of four photojournalists at 17,500 circulation daily newspaper in California’s Central Valley.

EDUCATION

University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, B.S. in Journalism.

INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

• Albany Ad Club member: 2009 NORI awards committee and 2010 board member
• Public Relations Society of America, Capital Region Chapter member
• National Press Photographers Association member
• Certified fitness trainer, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Macintosh and Windows operating systems
• Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, QuarkXPress, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook