Jim Dober is a Christian artist and story writer with a bachelor's degree in Illustration from the Ringling College of Art and Design. He works as a product designer and art teacher. Jim and his wife homeschool their five children in South Florida.…

James Dober

Jim Dober is a Christian artist and story writer with a bachelor's degree in Illustration from the Ringling College of Art and Design. He works as a product designer and art teacher. Jim and his wife homeschool their five children in South Florida.…

Available to hire

Jim Dober is a Christian artist and story writer with a bachelor’s degree in Illustration from the Ringling College of Art and Design. He works as a product designer and art teacher. Jim and his wife homeschool their five children in South Florida.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Product Designer at Country Silk, Inc.
November 1, 2022 - May 1, 2023
Updated designs for seasonal home decor products; remote work; used Airtable to select projects; designed new and updated seasonal home decor items (wall decor, tabletop decor, party decor) using Illustrator.
Product Designer at Fancy That Gift and Decor
August 1, 2017 - June 1, 2018
Designed and developed beach/nautical-themed home decor products; remote work from home; used Photoshop and Illustrator; products included resin and ceramic stepping stones, garden decor, signs and frames, resin angels, farmhouse items, clocks, MDF boxes, and Christmas items; collaborated with owner and product developer via email and Skype; final designs on spec sheets and uploaded to FTP.
Freelance Illustrator/Artist at Sixtrees USA, Ltd.; Special T Imports Inc.; Fancy That Gift and Decor
January 1, 1998 - Present
Original artwork sold on art.com; produced published Christmas card designs for His Power Card Company; published illustrations in Cat Fancy Magazine, the Mobile Press, and Sarasota Style Magazine; acrylic paintings, T-shirt designs, and murals.
Product Designer/ Illustrator at Gerson International
September 1, 2012 - November 1, 2016
Designed and developed new indoor and outdoor seasonal decor products; worked full-time remotely; used Photoshop and Illustrator; researched new ideas for upcoming seasons and holidays; developed theme boards; visited the office; attended the Atlanta Gift Shows; finalized designs on spec sheets and uploaded to FTP.
Senior Product Designer/Developer (Kids Division) at Heys USA
November 1, 2011 - August 1, 2012
Designed and developed new luggage products and accessories for children; collaborated with overseas manufacturers and brands including Disney, Thomas the Train, and Hello Kitty; designed original artwork for luggage and repeat patterns; wrote spec sheets in Excel covering UPC, hang tags, packaging, and sizes; traveled to Disney Consumer Product Department and toured animation archives; presented new lines at travel shows; skilled with traditional mediums.
Designer at Atico International Trading Co.
April 1, 2005 - January 1, 2011
Designer for retail products including melamine and ceramic dinnerware, clothing, poly resin and resin statuary, nylon decorative items, seasonal décor, and flip flops; used Photoshop, Painter, and Illustrator on Mac OS X; designs for major retailers; coordinated with overseas manufacturers and updated designs per feedback.
Designer at Four Star Group
October 1, 1999 - December 1, 2004
Designer for seasonal items, decor, dinnerware, outdoor furniture and accessories; developed and designed new products from idea to final design for Dollar Tree, CVS, Walgreens, Jo-Ann Fabrics, QVC, and Family Dollar; created descriptions for product measurements, materials, and Pantone colors; rendered drawings; collaborated with art director and team; coordinated with overseas manufacturers.
Published Author and Illustrator at Self-Published (Xulon Press)
March 1, 2010 - Present
Wrote and illustrated Hickory Woods Adventures, Waiting for a Bubble; 136-page chapter book published through Xulon Press; available on major retailers.
Art Teacher at Independent / Part-time
June 1, 2009 - June 1, 2012
Teaching basic drawing skills, color theory, and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to groups ranging in ages 7 to adult.
Art Teacher at Independent / Part-time
May 1, 2017 - July 1, 2017
Teaching basic drawing skills, color theory, and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to groups ranging in ages 7 to adult.
Freelance Illustrator/Artist at Sixtrees USA, Ltd.; Special T Imports Inc.; Fancy That Gift and Decor
April 1, 2017 - July 1, 2017
Original artwork; contributed to published cards and magazines; freelance assignments during contract period.

Education

BFA in Illustration at Ringling College of Art & Design
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 1998
at Art Institute of Boston
January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1994

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Manufacturing, Retail, Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services

Skills

Experience Level