eli catalan
usa
325 west 45th st
new york, ny 10036
1 347 674 2277
europe
dalgatan 11
älmhult, sweden
+46 707 36 65 67
the core of my professional life has been in media. I've got an eye for detail, posess a thorough understanding of layout and composition, prefer minimalist design and sans-serif fonts and will forever defend the use of white space. shortly after graduating from university, I landed my first job selling ads for a new york city newspaper. I don't miss the long days of pitching advertisers, but first hand experience selling ads provides me with the client-side perspective that many creatives lack. I quickly learned that I preferred designing ads over selling them, so I dumped my suits, purchased an apple computer and enrolled in design courses. soon I was freelancing for ad agencies, national magazines and in-house studios where I handled countless print and digital jobs. ads, web, posters, logos, corporate id, brochures, banners, packaging, a couple of billboards and a bus wrap. I learned how to mind the details while keeping an eye on the clock, in order to deliver projects accurately and on schedule.
other professional pursuits include teaching ESL (english as a second language) and running a successful property rental business in texas. my house is decorated with mid-century scandinavian design furniture, and the walls are covered with art from undiscovered artists, uncovered at yard sales and thrift stores from around the globe.
born and raised in new york city, but unlike many native new yorkers who will never leave the 5 boroughs, I enjoy experiencing new places first hand. this wanderlust has lead me to portland, philadelphia, los angeles, austin and ho chi minh city. currently, my time is split between my small apartment in hells kitchen, and the tiny swedish village of älmhult that you've probably never heard of.