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MICHAEL KOCEL
2200 Colorado Ave #349
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Mobile: 323.252.7914
Email: [email protected]
Online Portfolio @ www.MichaelKocel.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Max Limit Studios/Leet Sauce Studios, Santa Monica, CA – 6/2014 to Present
Creative Lead – Max Limit Blackjack – Mobile iOS
o Conceptualized and invented several key features essential to first time user interaction, and return play
o Created updated, highly polished art and set new style for the game
Playtika (formerly Buffalo Studios), Santa Monica, CA – 10/2011 to 6/2014
Director Product Development – Bingo Rush, Bingo Rush 2, Bingo Blitz – Web and Mobile
 Bingo Rush 2 Adobe Air – Lead Game Design UI/UX
o Implemented new, unique game-play mechanics, animations, and embedded mini-games
o Created wireframe design docs, with mockups to detail the user flow for each feature and release
o Worked within the constraints of the Adobe Air platform to use a responsive design, yet keep a
consistent style and high level of quality
o Process was focused on new and exciting content as well as upcoming features and game modes
 Bingo Rush iOS –UI/UX Design & Art Direction
o Co-invented and conceptualized as the first single player bingo game mechanic
o Designed, tested and iterated on the Bingo Rush game interface
o Created all UI and logo art, and art directed others in additional asset creation
o Full color conceptual wireframes created to show user flows with rendered mockups
 Bingo Blitz – UI Design & Art Direction
o Designed and iterated new features to improve key performance points
o Art directed others in the creation of feature and content assets
CBS Interactive, Hollywood, CA – 05/2011 to 10/2011
UI Designer – CBS apps, Web and Mobile
o Provide solid insight in the areas of user interface design, interaction trends, graphics optimization,
navigation, layout, usability design, and overall site and game practices.
o Strong knowledge of user centered design principles and practices
o Adept in producing uniform design across numerous platforms and devices
Walt Disney Interactive Media Group, North Hollywood, CA – 06/2008 to 03/2011
UI Designer – Disney apps and internal share program, R&D Projects
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Advanced design/creative skills in games/apps UI design and aesthetic layouts
Adept at translating verbal or written concepts into visually stunning, readable layouts
Militant about usability and the user experience
Assisted in overseeing and critiquing each project’s content and functionality
Game Designer – Disney apps and sites – Web and Mobile
o Proven understanding of the tools needed to design various creative projects
o Worked from and created wireframe user flows to map out all paths of the site or app
o Created and maintained assets for Disney’s iPhone web app(screen layout, transitions, animations, etc)
o Responsible for designing and developing templates and wireframes for sites and apps
Bellrock Media, Inc., Santa Monica, CA - 06/2005 to 06/2007
Art Director – Office Chair Deathrace (2007, PC, Mobile), Turbo Tennis (2006, Mobile),
 Project Management
o Directed designers for purposes of: fleshing out gameplay ideas, game art, scheduling, inter-office tasks
o Tracked workflow of design team and delegated tasks, & helped finish levels started by other designers
o Acted as a liaison with Bellrock subsidiaries on inter-office projects
 UI & Game Design
o Initiated, conceptualized, developed and documented key gameplay mechanics
o Directed interface design using wireframes and mockups for games and website
o Guided the vision of products from conception to market
 Corporate Design
o Provided corporate support for re-branding Bellrock subsidiaries and Bellrock brand management
o Created office document and presentation templates
o Created and implemented company style guide for all print and promotional materials
EA Mobile (formerly JAMDAT Mobile, Inc.), Los Angeles, CA – 08/2003 to 06/2005
Designer – Jamdat Bowling, Downtown Texas Holdem, Bejeweled
o Created logos, navigation, layout, and interfaces, Illustrated backgrounds and characters
EDUCATION
Advanced 3D Modeling & Animation for Games @ Art Institute of California
Art | Graphic Design | Advanced 3D & Modeling @ Cuyahoga Community College
3D Animation & Modeling @ Vision Scape Interactive