You can Win the Universe.

Colin Noga

You take one more resume sheet and flip it over, rub your eyes, then all of a sudden, BAM! In front of you, a plain-looking resumé, white paper, black letters. But you know something is different. The white is ivory, the black is ebony, and the words jump out at you like a tiger into a buffet line. This is the one.

My Objective:

To help you Win the Universe. Maybe it's a small universe, for a select clientele. Maybe it's a bigger universe, for millions of users. If you are developing creative software, and are extending one long arm in order to grasp at the stars, I can provide the footstool that takes you ten inches, ten metres, ten lightyears higher.

Skills and Accomplishments:

  • Project Management
    • Produced and directed the critically acclaimed Fatal Frame 4 fan translation, with over 10,000 downloads, co-ordinating dozens of volunteers over a ten month period. Huge Success. Also directed the Tales of Graces project for eight months (eventually halted due to official localization). President of ISSOC (Independent Studies Student Society) 2010-2011. President/Manager of the Winnipeg Go club, and subsequently the U Waterloo Go Club 2006-2010.
  • Software and GUI design
    • Directed software and GUI design for a number of open-source or community projects, including Reggie (235k+ downloads), Riivolution & R3volution (100k+ downloads), and many smaller open-source projects and games.
  • Graphics
    • Thousands of redesigned, retooled, or redrawn graphical elements for the Fatal Frame translation, the Tales of Graces translation, and the Tales of Vesperia translation. Original graphics for several Global Game Jam games, as well as a Great Canadian Appathon entry. A variety of dozens of application icons and desktop backgrounds.
  • Writing
    • Large experience of writing scholastically, creative and academic. Studied under acclaimed writer and digital rights activist Cory Doctorow for one year. Game writing for several Global Game Jam and game contest entries.
  • Design
    • Skilled in the creation of games and game levels, for a community project 'Newer Super Mario Bros. Wii', as well as several game contributions to Global Game Jam and other contests. Experience in critical analysis and review of own designs and those of others, as well as editing and creating multiple interactions of such in a rapid prototyping environment.
  • Programming
    • Hundreds of thousands of lines logged, mostly in python, towards various open source projects, translation projects, and games. Experience in planning and reversing low level file formats and dealing with different embedded architectures. Experience with Linux, MacOS, and Windows, and some development environments on each.
  • More
    • Fluent in French, Sound design, promotional writing, conversational Japanese, website development, floral arrangement, performing arts, improv theatre, athletics, woodworking, 3-dan in Go, travel experience, and hundreds of other skills and experiences at my fingertips.

About Me:

A background in writing and design, experience in project management, and more eclectic hobbies than you can shake a stick at, whatever the task, I can take it up. As a project manager or assistant, I can direct with confidence, sharing a knowledge base with employees and clients, whether it be a discussion on which subversion or repository to use or which icons present the superior user experience. In the workplace, I can provide essential insight across disciplines, and contribute wherever needed on top of my regular tasks.

Education:

  • Honours Bachelor of Independent Studies
    • University of Waterloo (expected Sep 2011)

The Faculty of Independent Studies provides strongly capable and independent students the chance to create a self-directed program, followed by an undergraduate thesis.


  • GPA: 3.82
  • Undergraduate Thesis Topic: Game Localization (Narrative focus)
  • Undergrad Thesis under review from Apr-Sep

    • Topics of Study:

    Writing Narrative for Digital Media, Graphic Design,

    GUI Design, Studies of alternative media including Games,

    Graphic Novels, Film, and Web.

Experience:

  • Grad Images Canada (2010)
    • Photographer's Assistant
  • University of Waterloo Human Resources (2008-2010)
    • Usher
  • Osborne Florist, Fort Garry Florist, Flower Studio (2007-2008)
    • Florist
  • DeFehr Furniture (2006)
    • Furniture Construction
  • Temporary Jobs while Travelling in Europe (2005-2006)
    • Tournament Aide, Carpet Cleaner, IT Technician, Shop Clerk, Bakery Assistant, Orange Picker, Bracelet Maker, Antique Clerk, Assistant Accountant, Server Technician, Dojo Assistant, Website Design, Violin Maker Assistant, Dockhand, Soup Kitchen Cook
  • The Home Depot (2005)
    • Sales Positions