I am a learner. I think in patterns and relationships which allows me to quickly asses situations to identify issues and draw up creative solutions. I have worked in the design and project management fields because I enjoy working with teams to develop solutions from start to finish, ensuring each piece of the puzzle is done well and with respect to all parties.
I completed a BS in Graphic Design at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP). During and after these studies, I spent two years perfecting my branding and package design skills at Landor Associates, an international creative branding agency. My time at Landor Associates gave me the experience necessary to become the Design Manager at ArtWorks, a Cincinnati-based public art and education non-profit. ArtWorks was a marriage of my interest in design and my desire to create positive change in my community. While Design Manager there, I was responsible for designing and producing all in-house needs including overall brand management, fundraising campaigns, web graphics, event collateral, and more. During this time I helped concept and design a direct mailer and related web campaign that brought in a 130% increase in donations from the previous year’s mailer.
Because of my ability to manage multiple, detailed and difficult projects and work well within a team, I was promoted to lead a city-wide public art project, ArtWorks CincyInk. As such, I juggled conversations with government officials, artists, corporate executives, and local property owners in order to build a unified vision and gather the support necessary to make the project a city wide success. Additional responsibilities included: collaborating with 2 design agencies to develop the brand; creating and managing a $415,000 project budget; assisting with fundraising; directing 40 professional artists; coordinating efforts between 10 public and private partners, 15 major funders, 40+ property owners, and 3 fabricators; as well as preparing files for production in order to ensure successful, legal, and under-budget execution of 52 unique public art installations.
I am eager to combine my unbridled passion for bettering lives with my design and communication skills to develop world changing solutions. Change is difficult to effect, but I would like to spend my life helping to shift the needle.