Resume of Benjamin Farrell

education ::

Graduated with BS in Electronic Media Arts and Communications with a Minor in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2000

contact ::

706 Cross Timbers Drive
Durham, NC 27713
ben@yellow5labs.com
919.321.0359

awards ::

• 2008 Codie Award - Best Instructional Solution for Students at Home - Pokemon Learning League
• 2007 Outstanding Products Award of 2007 from iParenting - Pokemon Learning League
• 2007 Finalist for Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) - Pokemon Learning League
• 2007 Winner of the 13th Annual Best Educational Software (BESSIE) Awards - Pokemon Learning League
• 2005 Nominated for Best Secondary Education Instructional Solution - Discovery Channel
• 2005 "On Demandies" Runner-up in the category of Best Interactive TV Special or Service - Sesame Workshop
• 2004 Emmy Nomination - Sesame Workshop
• 2004 Nomination for Best Educational Product - Discovery Channel
• 2004 Winner of the Educational Award of Excellence - Discovery Channel
• 2004 MIMC Nomination - Discovery Channel
• 2004 Children's Software Review - Discovery Channel

sample clients ::

Pokemon, Nickelodeon Jr, Sesame Workshop, PBS Kids, Discovery Channel, The Princeton Review, McGraw Hill, Houghton Mifflin, Riverdeep Interactive, Philips Medical, DSW Shoes, Prentice Hall

skills ::

- Flash Platform

• Macromedia Flash 5 through Adobe Flash CS3
• Actionscript 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0
• Flex 2.0 and 3.0
• Adobe AIR (was in Adobe AIR pre-release program)
• Connecting to web services from Flash via AMFPHP, REST, or SOAP
• SWF asset creation through Illustrator CS3
• Flash development for low power devices like handhelds and set top TV boxes

- Web Client/Server-Side/Production

• Web page production with table-based HTML markup
• Web page production with box-model CSS/XHTML
• Dreamweaver MX2004 through Dreamweaver CS3
• Web page asset production with Fireworks CS3
• Dreamweaver CS3 Spry AJAX Framework
• Javascript
• ASP/ASP.NET with C#, VBScript with SQL Server
• PHP 4/5 with mySQL server
• Coldfusion

- Graphic Design and Production

• Photoshop 6-CS3
• Illustrator CS3
• Softimage XSI, 3DStudio MAX

- Other

• CD-ROM and Shockwave production in Director 5-MX2004 inlcuding realtime 3D and multiuser content
• DVD Studio Pro for interactive DVD's
• Video production with Final Cut Pro, Media 100, and Adobe Premiere
• Brief exposure to After Effects
• College courses in C++ and Database Design
• Photography, Videography, A/B roll video-editing

Work Experience ::

• RDAUG | Manager, 2006 - present
  Ran the Raleigh/Durham Adobe User Group. Led initiative to create our current website, as well as organizing events and presentations. I also gave presentations frequently as well.
  
  
• 360KID | Software Developer, 2003-present
  360Kid is a software development company dedicated to doing education and edutainment software. I have completed work for a number of high profile clients like the Sesame Workshop, Pokemon, Nickelodeon Jr, Discovery Channel, and the Princeton Review.
  
  In addition to the big name clients, we've recieved some big recognition for our work as well. Our Sesame Workshop Cable Television projects earned us three Emmy nominations, one of which was earned by a project led by myself. Pokemon Learning League, also a project led by me, we've earned three educational awards and are still counting. I'd led and been a part of many more projects, always achieving success and earning client praise.
  
  I've used a variety of tools and skills in our projects including Flash, Flex, Javascript, HTML, PHP, ASP, ASP.NET/C#, AJAX, Director, Zinc, and more. Typically our projects use Flash, and clean, understandable, organized code is essential. Also essential is the ability to work with our art team and make sure their vision comes through to the final product.
  
  My graphic design and user interface design skills have come through as well. Though not part of my job description as a programmer, I often offer an educated opinion for how to design our projects. Every once in a while, I'll even design them myself.
  
  I've also received praise for being able to communicate complicated concepts to non-technical people. This can be very useful when talking with clients, or especially helping out with RFP's.
  
  
• Harvard University | Teachers Assistant, 2003-2005
  Assisted teaching a Flash Actionscripting course presented by Scott Traylor. Created classroom examples, as well as offered actionscript help to students in computer lab. Also evaluated their performance to give out grades
  
  
• ReadyAbout Interactive | Lead Multimedia Developer, 2001-2002
  Worked with clients to develop multimedia ranging from educational children’s games to corporate websites. Heavily used Director and Flash to develop games and applications. Often worked with HTML, DHTML, ASP, SQL, and Javascript for corporate sites. Also, worked with other applications as needed (photoshop, illustrator, etc.).
  
  
• JuniorNet | Junior Multimedia Developer, 2001
  Worked with producers and other team members to deliver multimedia content for kids on-line and on CD-ROM. Involved fixing bugs, creating standard behaviors, and creating activities for the web and CD-ROM. Software used includes Director 8 with advanced Lingo programming and Macromedia Flash.
  
  
• the Academy of Electronic Media | Multimedia Developer, 1999
  Involved producing mulitimedia projects for outside clients with Macromedia’s Director. Work involved Lingo programming, graphic design, and 3D work using OpenSpace 3D for Director.
  Also used Flash and Illustrator for vector based work.
  
  
• Project Links | Lead Director Developer, 1999
  Worked on web pages for use in classroom learning. Full-time position included part-time HTML work using Dreamweaver and a little javascript programming. The other half of the position involved coming up with concepts for Shockwave applications and then implementing them. Also used OpenSpace 3D for 3D multimedia programming.
  
  
• Idea Consultants | Multimedia Consultant, 1996-1998
  Designing Multimedia for classroom use. Assisted professors in making programs to aid in the learning process.
  Designed pieces using Director, Photoshop, Premier, Illustrator, 3D Studio MAX, and Softimage.
  
  
• Brookfield Public Access | Committee Member, 1993-1996
  Volunteer work involved taping town events, editing, making financial decisions, and programming decisions. Produced 2D animations using Deluxe Paint on the Amiga. With full access to studio and what was being broadcasted I was involved in creating, editing, and airing original programming.