Tommaso Bufano
About
It has long been hard for me to categorize my varied interests. Design is often regarded as a visual medium, but at its core is an aspect of communication and problem solving which really interests me. During my time at BBDO, I was told my flexible skill set from development to design was really useful in handling the multiple requests and challenges that came through. At Ketchum, I was regarded for being able to jump in and problem solve for some of the more difficult client projects.
As my work history is rich and complex, I’ll do my best to share a snapshot of where I am today.
Coding
While not terribly complex, I did code this website from scratch using HTML and CSS. Early on, I had done quite a bit of front end development. Everything from interactive and animated banner ads to email and websites. I even had a curiosity for back-end development and took a Ruby on Rails bootcamp. It was a great experience and I love having the insight into the work involved. I have a great respect for developers and do my best to design with coding in mind.
While not terribly complex, I did code this website from scratch using HTML and CSS. Early on, I had done quite a bit of front end development. Everything from interactive and animated banner ads to email and websites. I even had a curiosity for back-end development and took a Ruby on Rails bootcamp. It was a great experience and I love having the insight into the work involved. I have a great respect for developers and do my best to design with coding in mind.
Photography
I have a passion for photography. I’m a published fashion photographer and have done work for such notable clients as The Art Institute of Chicago. I was taking fashion design classes there and started to take photos for classmates that eventually got the attention of the staff. I was hired to document private collection items and later an exhibit for the museum that was also published in Time. My work has also been seen in UR Chicago, Elle, among others. I also love taking photos of live bands and have considerable experience with table-top product photography as well.
I have a passion for photography. I’m a published fashion photographer and have done work for such notable clients as The Art Institute of Chicago. I was taking fashion design classes there and started to take photos for classmates that eventually got the attention of the staff. I was hired to document private collection items and later an exhibit for the museum that was also published in Time. My work has also been seen in UR Chicago, Elle, among others. I also love taking photos of live bands and have considerable experience with table-top product photography as well.
Video
I’ve been working with animation and video peripherally for quite some time. I’d done some programming for animation back when Flash was still used. I’ve sketched story boards and produced short videos for clients like Wrigley Orbit. Recently, I’ve gotten my pilot’s license specifically to be able to fly drones for commercial video work.
I’ve been working with animation and video peripherally for quite some time. I’d done some programming for animation back when Flash was still used. I’ve sketched story boards and produced short videos for clients like Wrigley Orbit. Recently, I’ve gotten my pilot’s license specifically to be able to fly drones for commercial video work.
UI/UX
It’s hard to imagine doing design work without some aspect of UI and UX. I’ve studied and practiced several disciplines including information architecture, design patterns, user journey maps, and Google Venture’s design sprint methodology. I’ve lead group exercises for clients and helped to produce a class on UX.
It’s hard to imagine doing design work without some aspect of UI and UX. I’ve studied and practiced several disciplines including information architecture, design patterns, user journey maps, and Google Venture’s design sprint methodology. I’ve lead group exercises for clients and helped to produce a class on UX.
3D
With a working knowledge of different programs like Cinema 4D and Adobe Dimensions, it has proven a very useful compliment to my design work.
With a working knowledge of different programs like Cinema 4D and Adobe Dimensions, it has proven a very useful compliment to my design work.
Management & Leadership
From at one point running a network of over 20 freelancers to working as a senior AD and creative director, I’ve had the privilege of helping to foster many successful projects. I led a team of four designers for a major redesign of the JC Penney website at Razorfish. 8th Light, primarily a software development company interested in making more headway into the design space, hired me for my insight into a design agency structure. During my time there, I was able to help differentiate between the different practices of design, UX, and front-end development and how to best position them for the market at large. I was able to help them increase the department from a low 30% utilization to operating at a full 100% time worked on client projects.
From at one point running a network of over 20 freelancers to working as a senior AD and creative director, I’ve had the privilege of helping to foster many successful projects. I led a team of four designers for a major redesign of the JC Penney website at Razorfish. 8th Light, primarily a software development company interested in making more headway into the design space, hired me for my insight into a design agency structure. During my time there, I was able to help differentiate between the different practices of design, UX, and front-end development and how to best position them for the market at large. I was able to help them increase the department from a low 30% utilization to operating at a full 100% time worked on client projects.
Community & Teaching
I’ve had many interests in my career from my passion for learning. As much as I like to learn new things, I love to share my experiences and inspire others. I’ve taught photography and design in different public and agency settings. My time at 1871, one of the largest start-up incubators in the country, I found myself often hosting group events and meet-ups. I hosted ongoing Chicago Ruby events for different speakers including a successful “Design for Developers” class I taught myself. Through my passion for typography, I created The Devoted Type, a meet-up for letter enthusiasts currently with over 400 members.
I’ve had many interests in my career from my passion for learning. As much as I like to learn new things, I love to share my experiences and inspire others. I’ve taught photography and design in different public and agency settings. My time at 1871, one of the largest start-up incubators in the country, I found myself often hosting group events and meet-ups. I hosted ongoing Chicago Ruby events for different speakers including a successful “Design for Developers” class I taught myself. Through my passion for typography, I created The Devoted Type, a meet-up for letter enthusiasts currently with over 400 members.
Language
I was born in Italy, but grew up in Chicago. My high school, Holy Cross, was a in a predominantly Italian neighborhood. Curiously, they didn't teach Italian because they said it would be too easy. Instead I took four years of Spanish. I consider myself to be trilingual. I do have citizenship in both Italy and the US. While I’ve not put this into practice yet, I do have the privilege to live or work in the EU should the job or project require me to do so.
I was born in Italy, but grew up in Chicago. My high school, Holy Cross, was a in a predominantly Italian neighborhood. Curiously, they didn't teach Italian because they said it would be too easy. Instead I took four years of Spanish. I consider myself to be trilingual. I do have citizenship in both Italy and the US. While I’ve not put this into practice yet, I do have the privilege to live or work in the EU should the job or project require me to do so.
Gaming
I’ve spent countless hours on MMORPGS which are my favorite. Think World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV. I have done quite a bit of PC and console games. Assassin’s Creed is one of my favorite series. I also became rather involved in a series of mobile games. At one point, I started a YouTube channel covering one of the games and it immediately got the attention of Space Ape games. One of the my videos, which took me almost a full week to research and produce, was so thorough it went viral within their company. One of their reps reached out to me personally to offer sneak preview access and swag to give away. While it was fun, in the end it was too much of a time commitment to produce at that level of quality and detail without pay. Suffice it to say, I love video games. And it’s no surprise given my interests in problem solving.
I’ve spent countless hours on MMORPGS which are my favorite. Think World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV. I have done quite a bit of PC and console games. Assassin’s Creed is one of my favorite series. I also became rather involved in a series of mobile games. At one point, I started a YouTube channel covering one of the games and it immediately got the attention of Space Ape games. One of the my videos, which took me almost a full week to research and produce, was so thorough it went viral within their company. One of their reps reached out to me personally to offer sneak preview access and swag to give away. While it was fun, in the end it was too much of a time commitment to produce at that level of quality and detail without pay. Suffice it to say, I love video games. And it’s no surprise given my interests in problem solving.
Acting and Dance
I studied and performed as an actor for many years. Yes, even dance. In my teens I studied ballet and modern and worked semi-professionally. Even doing some of the more embarrassing industrials like dressing like a baseball player and pretending to play baseball on a platform above a silent auction table at an event. I was dressed as an Elvis impersonator or a Christmas ornament. Of course, I also did the more traditional artistic performances. What I miss most about those days was how very much connected I was to my body and physicality. It was a thing I can only describe as the best cross-section of the spiritual and physical. The mind and body as one.
I studied and performed as an actor for many years. Yes, even dance. In my teens I studied ballet and modern and worked semi-professionally. Even doing some of the more embarrassing industrials like dressing like a baseball player and pretending to play baseball on a platform above a silent auction table at an event. I was dressed as an Elvis impersonator or a Christmas ornament. Of course, I also did the more traditional artistic performances. What I miss most about those days was how very much connected I was to my body and physicality. It was a thing I can only describe as the best cross-section of the spiritual and physical. The mind and body as one.
Connecting the Dots
It’s interesting how these experiences connect later in life. For photography, design made it easy to understand how best to compose an image. My experience with dance helped with how to best pose a model in a natural and flattering way. Acting and performance in general have made it easier to speak in front of a large classroom or to present a design to a group of over 15 Hyatt executives. Steve Jobs gave a great speech about “connecting the dots.” Without having necessarily planned for where we are, it’s often nice to reflect on your past and see how rich your experiences have been and how they come together to shape your experiences for now and forward.
It’s interesting how these experiences connect later in life. For photography, design made it easy to understand how best to compose an image. My experience with dance helped with how to best pose a model in a natural and flattering way. Acting and performance in general have made it easier to speak in front of a large classroom or to present a design to a group of over 15 Hyatt executives. Steve Jobs gave a great speech about “connecting the dots.” Without having necessarily planned for where we are, it’s often nice to reflect on your past and see how rich your experiences have been and how they come together to shape your experiences for now and forward.
