I'm a believer in the fight. Keeping it simple. Being obsessive over craft, making it personal and giving a shit. I'm curious, empathetic, rigorous, and experimental. I appreciate a holistic way of solving design problems in collaborative teams. I like accelerated methodologies. Thinking quick, rapid prototyping, and learning through testing but not discounting a designer's intuition.
I seek to learn what works and do more of it. Learn what doesn't and change it.
As a design leader, I seek to own creative excellence at every touch-point. I'm a passionate student of real-world design, users, consumers, trends, competitors and culture. Through listening, learning and mining insights, I fight for work that directs my client's brand into amazing places.
I'm a firm believer that simple is hard.
And that design is truly about problem solving and making people's lives better.
I remain extremely hands-on, being actively involved in pixel-level detail, every day.
This my experience:
Art Director
SCB | Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Chicago, IL
November 2021 - Present
Chicago, IL
November 2021 - Present
+ Assist with the re-branding effort at SCB, working with internal stakeholders and external consultants
+ Design all graphic content for the firm’s general marketing efforts
+ Ensure the quality, dissemination, and oversight of the firm’s branding/graphic standards to both internal and external audiences
+ Create unique and on-brand print and digital collateral for the firm, such as trend pieces, research papers, publications, project case studies, etc.
+ Design custom proposals, portfolios, and presentation slides reflecting the firm’s brand
+ Design marketing materials (print and digital) for event and conference sponsorships
+ Develop and produce creative solutions for leave-behinds, presentations, design competitions, brochures, events, portfolios, and other marketing collateral
+ Create custom, data driven graphics for select project pursuits, such as infographics, schedules, etc.
+ Provide graphic design support for public relations and communications, including but not limited to social media and award submittals
+ Provide design assistance with firm’s digital communications
+ Coordinate production of materials with printers and other vendors as needed
+ Provide graphic design assistance to architecture teams as needed, with design presentations and concept books, and to firm leadership for internal meetings
+ Manage www.scb.com including uploading new content and maintaining existing content
Intermittently collaborate with the architecture, interior design, and planning studios for project-specific design deliverables including, but not limited to, environmental graphics, signage, etc.
+ Design all graphic content for the firm’s general marketing efforts
+ Ensure the quality, dissemination, and oversight of the firm’s branding/graphic standards to both internal and external audiences
+ Create unique and on-brand print and digital collateral for the firm, such as trend pieces, research papers, publications, project case studies, etc.
+ Design custom proposals, portfolios, and presentation slides reflecting the firm’s brand
+ Design marketing materials (print and digital) for event and conference sponsorships
+ Develop and produce creative solutions for leave-behinds, presentations, design competitions, brochures, events, portfolios, and other marketing collateral
+ Create custom, data driven graphics for select project pursuits, such as infographics, schedules, etc.
+ Provide graphic design support for public relations and communications, including but not limited to social media and award submittals
+ Provide design assistance with firm’s digital communications
+ Coordinate production of materials with printers and other vendors as needed
+ Provide graphic design assistance to architecture teams as needed, with design presentations and concept books, and to firm leadership for internal meetings
+ Manage www.scb.com including uploading new content and maintaining existing content
Intermittently collaborate with the architecture, interior design, and planning studios for project-specific design deliverables including, but not limited to, environmental graphics, signage, etc.
Art Director
Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Park, IL
January 2020 - November 2021
Abbott Park, IL
January 2020 - November 2021
+ Contractor through Creative Circle, supporting corporate marketing efforts. Designing: event signage and graphics, customer journeys and event space, environmental signage, trade show signage, and supporting Abbott's Life Changing Tech brand style.
Senior Graphic Designer
Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Park, IL
June 2019 - December 2019
Abbott Park, IL
June 2019 - December 2019
+ Contractor through Creative Circle, supporting corporate marketing efforts. Designing: event signage and graphics, customer journeys through event space, environmental signage for corporate offices, trade show signage, and supporting Abbott's Life Changing Tech campaign style.
Senior Designer | Medline Industries, Inc. | Northfield, IL | March 2019 - June 2019
+ Contractor through Mondo, playing an active role in strategically exploring, ideating and crafting design solutions from conception to production; following creative briefs to a tee; acting as a steward of the brand, embracing the look, feel and strategies in place; and helping coordinate photoshoots, illustration development and vendor/printer communications.
+ Contractor through Mondo, playing an active role in strategically exploring, ideating and crafting design solutions from conception to production; following creative briefs to a tee; acting as a steward of the brand, embracing the look, feel and strategies in place; and helping coordinate photoshoots, illustration development and vendor/printer communications.
Design Contractor
Creative Circle
Chicagoland Area
January 2019 - March 2019
Chicagoland Area
January 2019 - March 2019
Core Spaces
+ Aided in the development of a sub-brand identity while building out brand guidelines that included: personality, typography, iconography and photography
+ Designed print & digital sales collateral with large amounts of content while helping to write content and moderate comments
+ Designed website layouts and wireframes while collaborating with external teams for implementation
+ Aided in the development of a sub-brand identity while building out brand guidelines that included: personality, typography, iconography and photography
+ Designed print & digital sales collateral with large amounts of content while helping to write content and moderate comments
+ Designed website layouts and wireframes while collaborating with external teams for implementation
Creative Powers
+ Maintained promotional banners for the Grand Food Center's website that coincided with weekly email promotions through Constant Contact
+ Designed campaign and promotional material for several marketing channels including: social media, email, direct mail and in-store signage
+ Maintained promotional banners for the Grand Food Center's website that coincided with weekly email promotions through Constant Contact
+ Designed campaign and promotional material for several marketing channels including: social media, email, direct mail and in-store signage
Graphic Designer
OTHERWISE, Inc
Chicago, IL
May 2018 - December 2018
Chicago, IL
May 2018 - December 2018
+ Responsible for implementing digital, social, and product strategies to increase marketing effectiveness for luxury real estate clientele
+ Created final design deliverables through appropriately detailed design specifications including: website wireframes, identity storyboards, high and low fidelity mockups, and prototypes
+ Integrated digital and online initiatives into campaigns and marketing efforts
+ Developed strategic logo marks and brand identities that included brand voice and personality
+ Created final design deliverables through appropriately detailed design specifications including: website wireframes, identity storyboards, high and low fidelity mockups, and prototypes
+ Integrated digital and online initiatives into campaigns and marketing efforts
+ Developed strategic logo marks and brand identities that included brand voice and personality
Marketing Graphic Designer
Generation Brands
Skokie, IL
April 2017 - May 2018
Skokie, IL
April 2017 - May 2018
+ Responsible for creating and maintaining deliverables for ELEMENT by Tech Lighting and aided marketing department teammates with designing assets for Tech Lighting, Feiss, LBL and Ambiance lighting brands
+ Designed the 2018 ELEMENT by Tech Lighting catalog while collaborating with the product and engineering departments; audited technical information and developed a strong understanding of product specifications
+ Designed webpage mockups using Photoshop CC, then developed frontend of website using HTML and CSS and delivered to web development team for final server assembly
+ Conceptualized and assisted with wayfinding signage for state-of-the-art lighting gallery space
+ Designed the 2018 ELEMENT by Tech Lighting catalog while collaborating with the product and engineering departments; audited technical information and developed a strong understanding of product specifications
+ Designed webpage mockups using Photoshop CC, then developed frontend of website using HTML and CSS and delivered to web development team for final server assembly
+ Conceptualized and assisted with wayfinding signage for state-of-the-art lighting gallery space
Graphic Designer
The Field Museum
Chicago, IL
February 2017 - March 2017
Chicago, IL
February 2017 - March 2017
+ Collaborated with teams to design exhibition signage, way-finding signage, button badges, reception posters, volunteer give-away bags, and educational learning plans for K-12 teachers and students
+ Collaborated with a print vendor to prepare files for small and large print
+ Worked with multiple departments and copywriters for preparing and fine-tuning an exhibition proposal document for both digital and print application; prepared graphics, photos, renderings, content, etc.
+ Collaborated with a print vendor to prepare files for small and large print
+ Worked with multiple departments and copywriters for preparing and fine-tuning an exhibition proposal document for both digital and print application; prepared graphics, photos, renderings, content, etc.
Project Manager
Ella's Bubbles, LLC
Chicago, IL
January 2016 - December 2016
Chicago, IL
January 2016 - December 2016
Website Design & Maintenance (wordpress, magento)
+ Graphics, banners, sliders, images, buttons, layout
+ Organization & structure
+ Update downloadable product documents & images
+ Frontend development (HTML, CSS)
Online Marketing, E-Commerce & SEO
+ Development of online marketing & campaign strategies
+ Supervision of Google AdWords & social media blogging
+ E-blast campaign design
+ Creative content development in support of business development
Product Development & Administration
+ Acquire white-label products from manufactures
+ Development of SKU's, price sheets, product descriptions, specifications, manuals
Sales & Customer Service
+ Sales generation & growth
+ Answer phone & email product questions
+ Respond to customer leads
+ Customer and dealer support
+ Graphics, banners, sliders, images, buttons, layout
+ Organization & structure
+ Update downloadable product documents & images
+ Frontend development (HTML, CSS)
Online Marketing, E-Commerce & SEO
+ Development of online marketing & campaign strategies
+ Supervision of Google AdWords & social media blogging
+ E-blast campaign design
+ Creative content development in support of business development
Product Development & Administration
+ Acquire white-label products from manufactures
+ Development of SKU's, price sheets, product descriptions, specifications, manuals
Sales & Customer Service
+ Sales generation & growth
+ Answer phone & email product questions
+ Respond to customer leads
+ Customer and dealer support
Account Manager
One Chicago, Inc
Des Plaines, IL
August 2015 - November 2015
Des Plaines, IL
August 2015 - November 2015
+ Client account negotiation
+ New client acquisition through direct marketing
+ Client retention & relationship-building
+ Leadership, coaching & training of others
+ New client acquisition through direct marketing
+ Client retention & relationship-building
+ Leadership, coaching & training of others
Communication Designer
Creative Go-Round
Chicago, IL
January 2011 - July 2013
Chicago, IL
January 2011 - July 2013
+ Assisted & consulted with non-profit organizations to revitalize their identity and strategy needs
+ Delivered targeted materials including logos, stationery, brand guidelines, packaging, brochures, postcards, newsletters, catalogs, advertisements, etc.
+ Managed multiple simultaneous clients, projects, & budgets
+ Coordinated with & prepared files for print vendors
+ Delivered targeted materials including logos, stationery, brand guidelines, packaging, brochures, postcards, newsletters, catalogs, advertisements, etc.
+ Managed multiple simultaneous clients, projects, & budgets
+ Coordinated with & prepared files for print vendors
Freelance
Web Designer | Lang Dental Manufacturing Co. | Remote | June 2016 - Present
+ Performed research on consumer demographics and successful competitor websites and advertisements
+ Collaborated then designed a sitemap and wireframe
+ Created and designed website icons, graphics, artwork, images and call-to-actions
+ Developed website-wide design mockups, then sent to developer for web implementation
Designer & Consultant | creative will | United States | October 2011 - Present
+ Assisting new & returning clients with identity & campaign needs
+ Delivering targeted materials including logos, graphics, stationery, brand guidelines, catalogs, advertisements, etc.
+ Design, develop & maintain multiple websites for clients
+ Manage multiple simultaneous clients, projects, and budgets
Designer & Consultant | Creative Kids Corner | Chicago, IL | December 2011 - May 2015
+ Conceptualized, restructured & designed brand identity
+ Developed targeted materials including logos, stationery, brand guidelines, brochures, advertisements, etc.
+ Created & translated subject matter into graphics for promotional materials & social media blogging
+ Designed & maintained website
+ Prepared & maintained print files for press & production
+ 2012 American Graphic Design Award winner for Identity Design
+ Created and designed website icons, graphics, artwork, images and call-to-actions
+ Developed website-wide design mockups, then sent to developer for web implementation
Designer & Consultant | creative will | United States | October 2011 - Present
+ Assisting new & returning clients with identity & campaign needs
+ Delivering targeted materials including logos, graphics, stationery, brand guidelines, catalogs, advertisements, etc.
+ Design, develop & maintain multiple websites for clients
+ Manage multiple simultaneous clients, projects, and budgets
Designer & Consultant | Creative Kids Corner | Chicago, IL | December 2011 - May 2015
+ Conceptualized, restructured & designed brand identity
+ Developed targeted materials including logos, stationery, brand guidelines, brochures, advertisements, etc.
+ Created & translated subject matter into graphics for promotional materials & social media blogging
+ Designed & maintained website
+ Prepared & maintained print files for press & production
+ 2012 American Graphic Design Award winner for Identity Design
Projects
Graphic Designer | Gerber Collision & Glass | Chicago, IL | May 2012 - August 2012
+ Collaborated with a team of Interior Designers in conjunction with Jones Lang LaSalle to develop a Gerber Design Program prototype that could be implemented into existing facilities nationwide
+ Objectives: Assist with the development of a design concept, customer journey, & create a communication strategy
+ Primary responsibilities included designing verbal and visual themes & graphic treatments for brand featured walls, product displays, campaign promotion banners, window displays, brand stationery, & other promotional materials
+ Collaborated with a team of Interior Designers in conjunction with Jones Lang LaSalle to develop a Gerber Design Program prototype that could be implemented into existing facilities nationwide
+ Objectives: Assist with the development of a design concept, customer journey, & create a communication strategy
+ Primary responsibilities included designing verbal and visual themes & graphic treatments for brand featured walls, product displays, campaign promotion banners, window displays, brand stationery, & other promotional materials
Education
Harrington College of Design
Communication Design | Chicago, IL | January 2010 - May 2015
Communication Design | Chicago, IL | January 2010 - May 2015
Madison Area Technical College
Agriculture Technology | Madison, WI | August 2007 - June 2008
Agriculture Technology | Madison, WI | August 2007 - June 2008
North Boone High School
General Education | Poplar Grove, IL | August 2003 - May 2007
General Education | Poplar Grove, IL | August 2003 - May 2007