Career History: With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design from Ohio’s Kent State University (design concentration in 2D/3D print and a minor in advertising), I moved to New York and spent a year as Junior Designer at BorsaWallace, a design firm who captivated editors with product launch press kits for consumer brands such as Pantene, Oil of Olay, and E. & J. Gallo Winery.
In 2005, I joined a Cleveland advertising agency, with an impressive over-70-year-history, as their Designer and, later, Art Director. My favorite projects involved those for Vitamix, American Greetings, Moen, and Shoes & Clothes for Kids—a non-profit who provides new clothes to children in need.
Following five years at the agency, I was eager to open my design studio where I focused on event invitation suites and branding and marketing solutions for small businesses. During this time, I also launched a stationery collection. It was within this period that I developed the skills needed to start a business and discovered my passion for product development and design.
After two years of working independently, a full-time product and brand design opportunity came to my attention and I was ready for a new challenge. I moved back to New York to join Aesthetic Movement (A/M) as Design Director and cultivated my expertise over seven years. There, I collaborated with A/M’s founder/creative director and our design team on strategy, concepts, branding, product development, traditional design, and photo shoots for our product development clients, our A/M brand, and other esteemed clientele. We launched thousands of products together across eight product lines. In addition to my own design work, I strategically managed the output of the design department—provided concept and design direction and assigned projects to our small team, assessed deliverables, defined seasonal schedules, reviewed samples, liaised with clients and industry partners, and encouraged professional growth and company culture. As Design Director, I also prepared contracts and proposals, consulted with third party product lines interested in brand growth or gift and home product development, and managed the interviewing and hiring process of team members.
Beginning January 2019, I’ve focused on independently partnering with brands on ideation, product development, branding & marketing design, art direction, and everything in between, including on-site and remote hospitality agency design direction and design team management and mentorship. Select clients and brand experience include The Floral Society, Revolver New York, Marriott, Thomas O’Brien, Govino, Bozzuto, Kimpton Hotels, Life Is Good No Matter What, Djeco, Pirtti, Seltzer Goods, Nude & Crude, Pidgin, and Shoppe Object.