About Stephen Kozik
Born Aug 16,1975
1975
Born August 16th, 1975 in St. Louis Missouri, USA.
1975
Started School
1980
Began school at Fairmount Grade School, St. Peters, MO.
1980
Moved to Country
1984
Family Moved to Ellsberry, MO.
1984
First Computer
1985
Received first personal computer for Christmas (Commodore VIC-20). Deeply influenced by movies such as Wargames, quickly became interested in writing basic programs.
1985
An Interest in Art
1986
First stated to draw by copying illustrations from stickers and television cartoons. Also crafted first comic book (Crazy Daizy Comix) and began to paint with oils.
1986
Began to Program
1987
Received second personal computer (Atari 130XE) and continued to explore aspects of computer programming as well as beginning to write simple games that used pixel based graphics that were plotted out on grid paper and translated into binary (and then hexadecimal) numbers for computer entry. Also received a NES games console with Zelda video game that sparked my further interest in game design and adventure based games.
1987
House Fire
1988
After a devastating house fire moved to St. Charles, MO and was forced to replace all material possessions. In the process received first Commodore 64 and first disk drive to allowed me to write increasingly complicated programs and save them on disk. Also during this year I submitted my first game to Activision on cassette tape (Flight Simulator for Atari 130XE).
1988
First Online Experiences
1989
Ordering a free 300 baud modem from the online service Quantum Link (Now known as AOL) for the commodore 64, I quickly became disinterested in the mainstream online service and began to explore local (and distant) BBS systems as well as some internet services via Washington University Telnet accounts.
1989
Advanced Programming
1991
After first experiences with internet services such as Usenet and IRC, I began programming in more serious and mature languages such as 6502 Assembly, C, and Pascal. During this year I was a member of the Commodore 64 Demo group Dream (And previously known as Vortex) under the handle Daisyfarmer. This group released 7 demos such as Prism, that featured the first DYCP-Xflex routine that created a flag like effect on a logo in pure Assembly. Yes, I was (and still am), a nerd.
1991
Interest in Graphic Design
1992
In an attempt to return to more artistic endeavors, began drawing and painting again. Also had first experiences in desktop publishing and graphic design while creating an independent newsletter called Liquid Spam Digest. Most typography was done on 68K Macintoshes with Pagemaker and then assembled using paste-up and mechanicals.
1992
Formed First Band
1994
Formed first band (The JFLC) with longtime friend and collaborator Chris Calvert and began playing music for the first time. Instruments initially played were Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, and drums. Also did first recording on a Tascam 4-Track with one Sure SM58.
1994
Began Career
1995
Started first design job at The Thrifty Nickel Want Ad's in St. Charles MO while taking classes at SCCC. Studies quickly abandoned before completion of an Associates degree to concentrate on full time pursuit of design career. During this time also began using Internet again and created first website (Netscape Navigator 2 compatible, of course).
1995
Married to Jennifer
1997
Married on July 5th, 1997. Began first design job at Electrographic New Media that included web based duties such as creating HTML based webpages, Flash movies, and CD-ROM demos.
1997
Moved to Santa Fe, NM
1999
Moved to Santa Fe, NM to work at Bionic Arts and started programming internet based games in Lingo (Macromedia Director) for promotional and private use. During the fall I was offered a position at an NYC firm and moved to Manhattan in October 1999.
1999
Moved to Portland, OR
2001
Moved to NE Portland OR in October 2001. Worked at two Portland based firms (Orange 351, Babcock & Jenkins) and settled into the Northwest lifestyle.
2001
Began Playing Softball
2005
Began working for Centerpointe Research Institute in February 2005 acting as senior interactive designer. Began playing softball on a weekly basis during the summer months.
2005
Purchased First Home
2007
Purchase first home in Beaverton Oregon and re-joined Babcock & Jenkins to continue to grow as an interactive designer.
2007
I began my career during 1995 in St. Louis with traditional print and advertising design, but quickly adapted to the new and exciting web medium only just emerging at the time.
Utilizing unparalleled attention to detail and sense of layout, I provide designs which not only realize the needs and desires of my clients, but also push the envelope beyond what had been expected.
I have over 12 years of experience working in print, multimedia, and web technologies. Some of my past clients include Sony, Microsoft, Intel, Bacardi, IBM, Dreyers, and Kinkos.
Multimedia Solutions
I have been working with CD-ROM, Kiosk, Video, and Web based multimedia projects since most of these mediums were available. With extensive knowledge and experience in all multimedia projects, I can help determine the best medium for what a client wishes to achieve with their project. My intimate knowledge of Marcromedia Flash, Director, and Final Cut Pro makes sure your project will be the best that it can be.
Strategic Solutions
I can build solutions from the ground up that will achieve the goals that are set by the client with a focus on style. I believe that cookie cutter approaches to problem solving are inadequate, and that sometimes looking for answers in unconventional places can be extremely lucrative. I will work closely with the client and provide guidance and consultation and the best means to achieve the clients goals.
Web Solutions
With vast experience in web design and the technologies that power the web, I provide my clients with more than just aesthetically pleasing design—I also provide my clients with powerful back end tools to automate mundane processes, allow for on-the-fly updates that can be easily executed by the client, and the ability to tie in a clients web based front end into it's legacy IT infrastructure.
Client Solutions
I keep the client close to the project by use of convenient web based tools that allow the client to view changes to the outline, progress on the project, and up to the second details on billing and work completed. From the moment development is started, my clients are closely tuned in to their project's status and achieved goals.
Contact Information
Phone
503.201.4968
Facebook: Stephen Kozik
Instant Message (AIM): g00ztastic
IRC/Q-Link: g00z // #80s-cartoons // irc.dejatoons.net