I use color, type, shapes, numbers to tell stories--to make make complex systems or data easier to understand. I developing frameworks to make concepts clear. My background in engineering and math helps me to make charts and diagrams that are simple and logical--communicating the necessary info in the most straightforward way possible.
I have over a decade of experience in communications design, developing content and designing assets for clients and leaders in the innovation space. I help conceive and produce proposals, presentations, marketing collateral, and other materials--bringing an expertise in design and innovation strategy to business development and corporate communications.
I help to tell stories and bring new ideas to life through concept design and illustration. I can use design to communicate a concept--to make the new or abstract easier to understand--or to actually figure out the idea, visualizing it to help reveal gaps in understanding or missing components. This kind of visualization can take the form of digital mock-ups, hand-drawn illustrations, mixed media compositions (combining, say, vector silhouettes with photography), icon design, etc.
Similar to designing events in general, designing workshops involves the thoughtful creation of experiences, activities, and engagement through cohesive work materials, presentations, posters and space design, branded collateral (like nametags) and exciting and unexpected elements.
When designing or art-directing events, I pull together disparate ideas and materials into a unified vision for clients, in order to create a rich and compelling experience. I help guide the overall brand--developing and designing invitations, signage and wayfinding, games and activities, decorations, florals, programs, and countless other details that imperceptibly influence the experience of the event and create positive outcomes. I've worked on many small corporate events (internal meet-ups or networking events), community and social engagements, weddings, bridal and baby showers, and other celebrations.
Note that for several of the events shown here, I worked with other incredibly talented folks. Some designs, illustrations, or lettering are by the following designers/artists, under my direction or production: Mike Duesenberg, Kyle Fletcher, Andrew Wright, Helen Boggess.
Floral design is one of my favorite creative outlets. I love visiting the local farmer's markets for fresh flowers or swinging by the city's florists for individual stems of unique blooms. I am mostly self-taught (I've taken one online course with Chelsea Fuss) and I favor a wild, loose style of arrangement--attempting to mimic what you might find in nature. I've done the flowers for many weddings and events, including arrangements, installations, and personals (bouquets, etc).
I've been interested in handwriting and letters much of my life. I've taken a few courses to learn modern calligraphy (with a pointed pen) but lately have been gravitating toward brush script. I've done my handlettering on wedding invitation envelopes, on signage at events, and on marketing collateral for various clients.
In addition to communications and experience design, I've dabbled in many other forms of art, craft, and design. In my opinion, if you understand the basics of color, shape, proportion, and balance, and you pay good attention to details, many of these skills come naturally.
