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Kris Chu
Founder / Retoucher at Swell Digital
Professional Background
Kris Chu is a highly regarded professional in the realm of digital imaging, boasting an impressive career as a retoucher and creative visionary. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Kris has developed a reputation for excellence and an unparalleled eye for detail. As the founder and lead retoucher at Swell Digital, Kris has successfully built a brand that reflects a profound understanding of contemporary visual aesthetics and cutting-edge digital techniques. This commitment to quality is complemented by a diverse career path where Kris has honed skills in high-pressure environments while working alongside some of the best creative minds in the business.
Kris's professional journey began in the bustling heart of New York City, where they held several key positions at prominent studios. As Head of Retouching at Animal Studios, Kris led a team of talented retouchers, ensuring that every image met the highest standards of artistry and precision. This role required not only technical skills but also strong leadership capabilities to inspire and guide a creative team.
Prior to this, Kris served as a Senior Retoucher at Bartle Bogle Hegarty NY, a highly respected advertising agency known for its innovative approach to branding and creative marketing campaigns. Kris's contributions to BBH NY were instrumental in refining the visual narratives presented in various advertising campaigns, ensuring that each image resonated with audiences.
Kris’s impressive portfolio reflects a blend of creativity and technical knowledge, incorporating experiences as an On-Site Lead Retoucher at BBH NY at thelab and various roles at thelab and Art Digital Technologies. Each position helped refine Kris's skills, explore new techniques, and foster an adaptive approach to meet the evolving needs of clients.
Education and Achievements
Kris Chu's formal education laid a strong foundation for a successful career in the visual arts. The journey commenced with a study of Commercial Art at the esteemed High School of Art and Design, where Kris acquired essential artistic skills that would later evolve into a versatile portfolio. This early exposure to creative principles ignited a passion that propelled Kris into further education.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Kris pursued a specialized education in Photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a leading institution known for developing industry-ready professionals in the creative space. The immersive studies at FIT equipped Kris with vital knowledge of photographic techniques and the technicalities of lighting and composition—skills that would become invaluable as a retoucher.
Eager to expand further, Kris completed a degree in Graphic Design at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), another prestigious institution acclaimed for its commitment to cultivating innovative talents. The combination of graphic design, photography, and commercial art education uniquely positioned Kris to tackle complex visual challenges with confidence.
Throughout their career, Kris has accumulated a wealth of accolades and a portfolio that showcases an impressive array of projects that cut across various genres and styles, solidifying their status as a leading expert in the industry. Kris's innovative retouching techniques have emerged as essential in the highly competitive fields of advertising and fashion photography.
Achievements
Kris's diverse background in both education and practical experience has garnered recognition throughout the industry. The success of Swell Digital is a testament to Kris’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to excellence in retouching and digital artistry. By establishing Swell Digital, Kris has empowered clients to realize their visions through meticulous and striking retouching, delivering visual content that stands out in the crowded digital landscape.
Under Kris’s leadership, Swell Digital has become synonymous with superior quality and cutting-edge techniques that enhance clients' brands and stories. This achievement reflects an understanding of client needs, market trends, and artistic integrity.
In addition, Kris has played a pivotal role in various high-profile campaigns, collaborating with top-tier photographers, creatives, and brands, which speaks volumes about their professional standing and the trust placed in them by industry leaders. With a robust portfolio under their belt, Kris continues to push boundaries, exploring new techniques and trends in digital imaging to maintain relevance in a swiftly changing industry.
Kris’s artistic vision, combined with technical proficiency, secures their position as a leading figure in the realm of digital retouching. Such attributes not only allow Kris to excel as a retoucher but lead them to become a mentor for aspiring artists and retouchers in the industry, imparting valuable insights and experiences gained throughout their career journey.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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