I’ve been doing this design thing for a while now. More than a decade and a half if we are counting. I’ve typically been given the job title of art director and/or senior brand designer. Although I’ve also been given the job title of creative director a couple times. Title aside, what I do is lead the concept and design of visual identities and campaigns. Which means I work on a lot of larger projects, the types of projects that I could not possibly do on my own. So I often am given a team to back me up, and have worked with and mentored some amazing designers.

During my career I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the world’s most iconic brands: Amazon, Xbox, T-Mobile, Nike, Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, Magic the Gathering, and more. But don’t let that put you off. I’m really less tied to working with big brands and more interested in building amazing brands or campaigns with good people. I have enjoyed working with smaller brands and many amazing design agencies throughout my career as well. Speaking of my work, did I mention it has been featured in places like The Dieline and Bleeding Cool? So someone clearly thinks I am good at this stuff.

What makes me unique?

Why you should want to work with me.

• I’m excellent at finding the real need behind the ask. Often we jump to solutions or default to what we know when faced with problems. We just want the problem to go away. Rather than just delivering on an ask, I like to dive a bit deeper and really understand the problem we are trying to solve. I’m always trying to deliver the best solution, one that lasts and doesn’t cause other problems later.

• I’m always considering the end user or audience, the person who is going to be interacting with the work. This means that even when considering the initial concept and visual strategy behind a brand or campaign, I am ensuring that they will allow us to reach a solution where every design element flows seamlessly into a flexible, scalable, and consistent system that resonates with the audience.

• System thinking: If you haven’t picked up on it I’m always thinking about how things fit together into larger systems or strategies. I’m often considering what impact design decision make on the brand system elsewhere, and are they worth the cost? As my uncle used to say “You don’t have a healthy orchard if you are overly focused on a single tree.” He was a botanist and farmer, but the concept transfers well.

• Breadth. Not just a breadth of design experience, although I have that too. But breadth in my life experiences: I studied mechanical engineering for two years; I work on my own cars; I used to be a fire performer; I climb mountains for funsies; I helped throw raves in my 20’s… the list goes on. I love learning new things, and while brand design is my specialty I am always exploring new things. I am in no way a Swiss Army Knife, but I’m often told that I have a wide breadth of skills and experiences, and I find useful ways of bringing that to my work.