As the media manager for the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the United States Military Academy, I am responsible for providing support to cadets and faculty with visual information products, event coordination, and IT support. My role involves managing and coordinating the creation of various media materials that are used to support learning and development initiatives within the department. Whether it’s creating videos, designing graphics, or managing technical aspects of events, my goal is to ensure that all stakeholders have the tools and resources they need to succeed. By leveraging my expertise in media and technology, I help to enhance the educational experience of cadets and faculty alike and contribute to the overall success of the department.
Digital and Print
To effectively support department visitors, events, and cadet instruction, it is crucial to consider both digital and print product creation. While digital materials can be easily distributed and accessed, print materials can provide a tangible and lasting impression. When creating digital products, it is vital to ensure they are easily navigable and visually appealing using multimedia elements such as images, videos, and interactive features. Print materials should also be visually appealing, with clear and concise text and graphics. Additionally, it is important to consider the materials’ audience and purpose when creating digital and print products. By considering these factors, department visitors, event attendees, and cadets can access high-quality materials that effectively support their needs.
Both printed and digital layouts are built using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Conference Booklet
Tasked with designing, creating and printing the informational booklet for the “McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character” was a very rewarding project. The booklet was designed, with careful attention given to every detail, resulting in a professional and modern look. The graphics and visuals were thoughtfully selected to complement the content, resulting in a visually appealing product. Attendees, conference benefactors, and senior leadership were impressed with the high-quality feel and elegant appearance of the booklet, which contained 48 pages filled with full color graphics and imagery. The glossy 80lb cover added an extra touch of sophistication to the overall design. The MCLC Conference Booklet was built in Adobe InDesign using assets created/edited in Illustrator and Photoshop.
Vector Logos
Re-imagining and designing outdated logos was a goal of BS&L upon my arrival. As the lead designer for the department, I have redrawn historical logos in a vector format, which makes the artwork suitable for both print and screen use in the 21st century. By converting these logos into a vector format, I have ensured that they can be easily scaled without losing resolution and quality, making them perfect for use across a range of different mediums.
Challenge Coins
The department wanted to develop a token that can be awarded, by any member of the BS&L team to any person as a symbol of appreciation, teamwork and the value of working together towards a common goal. I designed the artwork for the poker chips displayed to include the logos and insignia that uphold the values of BS&L.
The challenge coins, on the other hand, are presented for excellence and represent the recipients never-ending commitment to BS&L. The graphics I created enmesh USMA and BS&L symbols and emblems in a cohesive manner. As the location of USMA is very historic and nostalgic, I incorporated the beautiful Hudson River into the design as a reminder to the awardee that they were a part of the USMA experience.
Digital Signage CMS
BS&L under my leadership implemented digital signage management to promote our events and achievements. This technology has been a game-changer, allowing us to showcase important information and updates in real-time. With the ability to quickly and easily update the signage, we have seen an increase in the overall synergy within the department. Colleagues are now more aware of what is happening within our team and can better collaborate on upcoming projects. Overall, digital signage management has been a valuable addition to our department’s communication strategy, helping us to stay connected and informed.
Conference Room Teams Install
We recently upgraded our conference room technology to include an integrated Logitech Teams & ScreenBeam streaming solution. The decision to upgrade is based on improving communication and collaboration during meetings. The technological requirements were to utilize existing platforms Staff/Faculty are familiar with, dual mirrored displays for viewing at any location in the room, front and rear-facing cameras, and an array of microphones allowing any audience member in the room the ability to contribute to the conversation without sounding as if they are not in close proximity to the microphone. The front and rear facing cameras allow for a standard VTC experience and an onsite presenter to address the audience in-room and virtually naturally. As the project manager, I developed detailed requirements based on the team’s needs and usage patterns and drew up schematic diagrams to obtain approvals from senior leadership. After requesting bids from several vendors for labor and equipment, we finally completed the installation. The result exceeded everyone’s expectations, and we now have a state-of-the-art conference room that is a pleasure to use.
Static Displays
The static display section of my portfolio site showcases my ability to create visually appealing layouts of the highest quality when printed. I utilize Adobe Illustrator to create vector graphics that ensure crisp and clear images, even when enlarged. This allows for a seamless, professional, and cohesive look that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate for viewers.
When a repeating element is required (as seen in the BS&L Alumni Display), I seamlessly data-merge multiple repeating layouts using Adobe InDesign. Utilizing data-merge creates a cohesive look that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate for viewers, as well as efficient for me
Final touches are crucial and can be the most challenging. I pay special attention to lighting, mounting, and ensuring that all disparate elements are aligned and in plane. Such attention to detail ensures that the final product is perfect and ready to showcase my work in the best possible way.
Overall, the static display section of my portfolio site is a testament to my attention to detail and dedication to creating high-quality work that stands out.
COL Everett Spain, Stephan Lewy Tribute
COL Everett Spain delivers a Tribute to Stephan Lewy remotely for the Keene State College Kristallnacht Remembrance Service. Col Spain’s Tribute video was recoded in the Thayer Award Room at The United States Military Academy at West Point, 2022.
The entire Kristallnacht Remembrance service can be viewed at the following URL. https://youtu.be/P2pssATYbfo?si=UY3E5dD9085Zf7W-
Jim straka 