Senior Digital Designer

During the past few years, specifically within my last two professional roles at the American Medical Association (2023-2024) and True Value Company (2021-2023), I have been immersed in the world of digital marketing at a senior level. At the AMA, I was instrumental in developing engaging and responsive emails and campaign landing pages using Salesforce Marketing Cloud's Content Builder. I conceptualized and designed visually appealing campaign landing pages, ensuring they aligned with our marketing objectives and provided a user-friendly experience. Additionally, I contributed to project kickoff meetings with a strong focus on User Experience (UX) design principles, and led UX research initiatives that included A/B testing with Optimizely, resulting in data-driven optimizations.

At True Value Company, I successfully integrated a new email coding platform, BeePro, and led the training of the marketing team, which significantly enhanced our workflow efficiency. I developed digital assets for various marketing campaigns, including retail, B2C, B2B, and wholesale, using Adobe Creative Suite for design and coding. My role also extended to video production, where I produced and edited Monthly CEO Videos for Chris Kempa, which were shared across all 2,000+ store owners and retailers. I regularly shared my user experience expertise with marketing managers, ensuring our digital messaging was impactful and on-brand. My technical skills in JavaScript/jQuery, and CSS/3 allowed me to mentor and assist my team, troubleshooting digital projects and maintaining an organized asset library.

In both roles, I ensured all brand guidelines were followed, creating a cohesive and efficient working environment. My most recent experience as a Senior Digital Designer has honed my skills in digital marketing, user experience design, and video production, preparing me for future challenges and opportunities in the field.

Front-End Web Developer

Through most of my career, particularly during my time at the Kellogg School of Management (2013-2020), I held the role of Front-End Web Developer. This position evolved significantly during my tenure, but my primary responsibilities included implementing responsive design tools and code within the organization. When I started, the entire digital space of the school lacked responsiveness, so I meticulously hand-crafted marketing campaign landing pages and unique websites outside of the organization's templates. This required extensive hand coding of CSS and JavaScript, creatively working around Sitecore, the Content Management System (CMS) used throughout the school. During this time, I developed a deep appreciation for writing efficient CSS and became adept at incorporating animations for enhanced aesthetic value, using tools like CSS Animations and GSAP (Greensock).

In my role, I developed front-end user interfaces for various projects, including campaign landing pages, digital course assets, webpages, email templates, animated banner ads, special event websites, and online questionnaires. I regularly used Adobe Creative Suite programs such as Photoshop and Dreamweaver, and created video openers for keynote speakers using Premiere and After Effects. I manually designed SVGs with Adobe Illustrator, optimizing them for animation, and was frequently consulted as an expert in video compression and setup for web usage. I designed and produced animated infographics to support research articles, and translated pixel-perfect user interfaces from design team's layouts into custom HTML, JavaScript, and CSS code, adhering to organizational brand guidelines.

As the lead CSS and SCSS developer and responsive design expert, I created customized designs for unique marketing campaigns and mentored other digital team members in troubleshooting complex CSS layouts. I supported multiple teams of website editors, serving as a technical support liaison and assisting in debugging online content. I bridged communication between development, design, and leadership teams, engaging in strategy discussions on digital marketing campaigns and website upgrades. I wrote functionality specs for backend developers and third-party vendors and ensured all duties were performed with excellent communication and respect for team members.

Web Designer

Before my time working with larger organizations and teams of specialized members, I held roles where I was a general Web Designer, responsible for all aspects of architecting, concepting, designing, and building websites. This included full-time employment and directing freelance projects to assist smaller organizations with their digital needs. My journey began at Elmore Productions, Inc. (2003-2004), working alongside Fantasy Artist Larry Elmore. I then moved on to Simple Truths, LLC (2006-2012), where I initially focused on web design before shifting my focus to managing their multimedia projects. Despite this shift, I continued to manage and support the small team responsible for the website, ensuring seamless integration of multimedia elements and maintaining overall site functionality.

I also gained extensive experience with third-party systems such as WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix where I used these platforms to help clients become self-sufficient, providing them with the necessary skills to manage and update their websites independently. This hands-on experience with various web-building tools allowed me to offer tailored solutions to clients, enhancing their digital presence while empowering them to take control of their online assets.

Multi-Media Art Director

During my time at Simple Truths, my role involved running and managing the multimedia projects. This comprised directing and producing video projects that were burned to DVDs to accompany the gift books and presenting them on dedicated mini-sites and landing pages for online viewing. This was before YouTube became a platform for hosting marketable videos and before the expansion of social media.

In this capacity, I created short inspirational movies using Adobe After Effects, which were key features of our online marketing strategy. I served as project lead for movie projects produced with external vendors, ensuring high-quality outcomes. Additionally, I led the web team responsible for all website activities, including the maintenance of five online stores, thirty movie sites, and all online marketing efforts. I designed and built online shopping websites and campaign materials, and I was fluent in Nexternal for managing e-commerce solutions.

This role required strong management skills, including overseeing a team, coordinating with external vendors, and ensuring the seamless execution of multimedia and online marketing projects.

Motion Graphics Designer

My humble beginnings in my career started with animation, which I am still passionate about and driven by in every project I work on. This passion has led me to various roles as a Motion Graphics Designer, where I have created dynamic and engaging visual content for a range of media. From crafting short inspirational movies using Adobe After Effects to directing and producing video projects for various platforms, I have honed my skills in storytelling through motion.

One of my key strengths is my ability to use animation to direct the user's eye, which is profoundly important in reinforcing a successful user experience. Effective animations guide users through interfaces seamlessly, highlighting key elements and ensuring smooth transitions. This purposeful movement aids in comprehension and keeps users engaged, making their interactions more intuitive and enjoyable. By thoughtfully applying animation principles, I aim to create interfaces that are both beautiful and functionally superior, enhancing the overall experience for the user.

In my various roles, I have led teams, coordinated with external vendors, and managed comprehensive multimedia projects. My work has involved creating video content for DVDs, online mini-sites, and landing pages, all while ensuring the highest quality outcomes. This combination of creative vision, technical expertise, and leadership has been the cornerstone of my career in motion graphics design.

Graphic Designer

Throughout my diverse design experiences, I've always relied on fundamental design principles to guide my work. A pivotal period for my understanding of visual communication was at Bar Management Group (2005-2006). While my primary task was assisting with websites, the majority of my workload—80%—involved designing print materials such as event flyers, posters, menus, publication ads, emails, brochures, and branding for special events and venues, including logo design.

In these roles, I honed my skills in utilizing design principles such as balance, contrast, and emphasis to create visually compelling materials. This experience taught me the importance of movement in guiding the viewer's eye through a design, as well as the significance of unity and alignment in creating a cohesive visual identity. These fundamental principles have remained at the core of my design philosophy, ensuring that every project effectively communicates its message while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

3D Modeler

Throughout my career, the trajectory of my skill sets and tools has taken many directions, but my career has never been static and always moved forward. I've relished the constant learning and have amassed a wealth of knowledge that would be an asset to any team. My journey began with a role as a 3D Animator at Exuro Studios (2001-2002), where my focus was on building 3D models. While I may no longer practice 3D Animation, my understanding of post-production workflows remains a valuable asset that translates to future projects and teams.

My passion for animation has always been a driving force in my career. Even as my focus shifted, the foundational skills and knowledge I gained as a 3D Animator continue to inspire and inform my work. The ability to bring characters and worlds to life through animation is a skill that I hold dear, and I apply that same enthusiasm and creativity to every project I undertake. My experience as a 3D Animator has given me a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling through animation, and I strive to infuse that passion into everything I do.

Photoshop

For over two decades, I have delved into Photoshop, continuously expanding my skills and discovering its endless capabilities. Despite my extensive experience, I am constantly amazed by its depth and the new features that keep it evolving. This ensures there's always something new to learn, making Photoshop both exciting and dynamic.

Photoshop is the central tool in all my workflows, providing a foundation for every project. The thrill of starting with a blank digital canvas and turning ideas into tangible designs is invigorating. Whether it's intricate illustrations or compelling graphics, beginning anew in Photoshop is always a rewarding experience, allowing me to create something unique and impactful.

HTML

For about 20 years, I have been writing HTML, applying this foundational skill across a diverse range of projects. From building and maintaining websites to crafting responsive emails, designing campaign landing pages, and developing digital prototypes, HTML has been a constant in my toolkit. This extensive experience has allowed me to adapt to various project requirements and seamlessly integrate HTML into different workflows, ensuring that each project is built on a solid, reliable foundation.

Illustrator

I have been using Adobe Illustrator for a long time, leveraging its powerful vector art creation capabilities throughout my career. From cleaning up and recreating logos to crafting vector images for print materials like t-shirt designs, Illustrator has been an indispensable tool. Most recently, it has been a powerful tool in setting up SVG graphics, ensuring proper and efficient UI animations. This versatility has allowed me to maintain high-quality visuals across various projects and media, making Illustrator a cornerstone of my design workflow.

Dreamweaver

Despite its outdated status, Adobe Dreamweaver played a significant role in my career's expansion. My in-depth knowledge of the tool allowed me to leverage languages like HTML, CSS, and JS effectively. Even though I have since transitioned to using modern tools such as Brackets, CodePen, Atom, and Sublime Text, I still find it important to point out the many hours I have spent working with Dreamweaver. It feels almost disrespectful to omit this from my portfolio given its impact on my early career.

Similarly, I was intimately familiar with Flash and ActionScript programming. However, considering its incompatibility with modern web standards, it may not be worth adding as a bullet point in my list. Nonetheless, these experiences have shaped my journey and contributed to the depth of my expertise.

CSS

I absolutely love CSS—it's my favorite language. However, I found it a struggle to fully understand at first. To overcome this, I forced myself to step away from HTML table designs and instead created my first fully CSS-laid-out website around 2007. During my time at Kellogg School of Management (2013-2020), I spent most of my 8 years writing custom CSS. This involved overwriting many layers of templated CSS to build user interfaces that followed the design team's concepts pixel-perfectly. I thrive on the challenge of matching a designer's direction and solving tricky implementation problems.

JavaScript

During my eight years at Kellogg School of Management (2013-2020), I leaned heavily on JavaScript to make user interfaces come alive. JavaScript allowed me to transform static designs into dynamic, interactive experiences. I have been able to break down user tasks into small, manageable bits and use JavaScript to steer them through the proper experience. By carefully scripting behaviors and responses, I ensured that every action felt intuitive and engaging. This personalized approach not only enhanced the usability of the interfaces but also created a fluid and enjoyable experience for users, perfectly aligning with the intended design vision.

After Effects

Adobe After Effects has been the workhorse in my motion graphics work. During my time at Simple Truths (2006-2012), I used it extensively to develop short inspirational movies that accompanied gift books and enhanced our online presence. After Effects is my preferred tool for animating GIF images in email development, allowing me to create eye-catching, dynamic visuals that engage viewers. Additionally, I have leveraged its robust capabilities for video editing in presentation displays, making it an indispensable tool in my workflow. Its versatility and power have consistently enabled me to produce high-quality animations and videos, solidifying After Effects as a cornerstone of my motion graphics projects.

Premiere

Adobe Premiere has been an essential tool in my video editing projects. During my time at Kellogg School of Management (2013-2020), I used Premiere to create a video opener for Kellogg's inaugural Growth Forum, which was presented by the school's dean, Sally Blount. This showcased Premiere's capabilities in producing professional-grade videos. At True Value (2021-2023), I relied on Premiere to edit video footage shot in the studio for monthly announcements from the company's CEO, Chris Kempa, ensuring high-quality internal messaging. Additionally, during my tenure at Simple Truths (2006-2012), I used Premiere to edit a DVD production of one of CEO Mac Anderson's speaking engagements. Its comprehensive editing features and user-friendly interface have made Premiere indispensable in my workflow, enabling me to deliver polished and impactful video content consistently.

BeeFree

BeeFree is a powerful and user-friendly tool for responsive email development. My main role at True Value (2021-2023) was to lead the upgrade of their email technology, and I trained the marketing team for daily use of the tool. I started using BeeFree at the Kellogg School of Management (2013-2020) after a six-month-long stint of researching responsive email design tools, and BeeFree was the best tool we came across. Its intuitive interface and robust features made it an invaluable asset in creating engaging, responsive emails efficiently.

Drawing/Pen and Ink

My journey in drawing began in childhood, where I first explored my creativity by sketching animals. In middle school, I fell in love with comic books, which ignited my passion for storytelling through art. It was in high school that I delved into the fantasy genre, inspired by the captivating worlds and characters I encountered in books.

Currently, my preferred medium is black and white ink drawings, created with fine-tip ink pens like Microns. I find this medium allows me to bring intricate details to life and create captivating visuals. My illustrations have been featured in local branded events during my time at Bar Management Group (2005-2006), where my artwork added a unique flair to the events. Currently, I am illustrating chapter art for a fantasy novel that I'm writing, blending my love for storytelling and art into a single, cohesive project.

Painting

My journey in painting began in high school, where I first discovered the joy of working with colors and canvases. However, it was during my time at Elmore Productions (2004-2005) that my passion for painting truly blossomed. I had the privilege of sitting in painting classes taught by my close friend and mentor, Larry Elmore. These classes were invaluable, teaching me a great deal about the intricacies of oil painting and helping me refine my skills.

Larry's guidance and mentorship not only improved my technique but also deepened my appreciation for the art form. His insights and teachings continue to influence my work, inspiring me to push the boundaries of my creativity. Painting has become a form of expression and exploration for me, allowing me to capture emotions, stories, and moments in vibrant hues on canvas.

In 2010, I further honed my skills by creating four oil paintings for a communal space at Fox Valley Institute. A friend who was an interior decorator approached me with a request to create art pieces with a specific color scheme. This experience challenged me to blend my artistic vision with the decorator's requirements, showcasing my ability to create art that resonates with both clients and viewers.

Animate

During my transition away from Adobe Flash, I utilized Adobe Animate for a short period. Adobe Animate, a similar product, allowed me to create animations using CSS and JavaScript instead of ActionScript. This transition helped me become more familiar with CSS animations. As I grew more comfortable with these technologies, I eventually phased out the use of Adobe Animate and began hand-coding animations myself, enhancing my proficiency and flexibility in creating dynamic, responsive designs.

Indesign

Throughout my career, I have worked with Adobe InDesign, a staple in print layout design. My familiarity with Adobe's suite of products has made it easy for me to navigate InDesign and understand its terminology. I know my way around the software and can effectively utilize its features when needed. This experience has allowed me to create and edit various print materials, ensuring that I can step in and handle print layout tasks efficiently. Although it is not a tool I use frequently, I am well-versed enough to manage its requirements whenever necessary.

Maya

I was a certified user of Alias|Wavefront's Maya, now called Autodesk Maya, and I passionately used it daily, practically breathing, eating, and sleeping it. The intensity and dedication I had for mastering Maya were unparalleled, and I embraced every aspect of the program with zeal. Although I no longer keep up with the latest updates and features of the modern 3D animation industry, the passion I had for it drove me to approach each new program I learned with similar tenacity and dedication. This foundational experience shaped my commitment to continuously learning and mastering new tools throughout my career.

Chat GPT

Using ChatGPT has been an incredibly helpful tool in my daily workflow. It has become synonymous with search engines for me, providing quick, accurate, and comprehensive information on a wide range of topics. Whether I need assistance with coding, brainstorming creative ideas, or finding detailed explanations, ChatGPT offers reliable and efficient support. Its ability to understand context and deliver tailored responses has made it an indispensable resource in my professional and personal life.

Figma

I have explored Figma extensively in a personal setting for training purposes. While I have not yet utilized it in a professional environment due to its relatively recent introduction, I understand its efficiencies in concepting and collaborative design. Figma's ability to streamline workflows, enable real-time collaboration, and simplify the design process has impressed me, and I recognize its potential to enhance productivity and creativity in team settings.

Google Web Designer

I built animated HTML5 banner ads at Kellogg School of Management (2013-2020) using Google Web Designer. This tool provided an efficient way to design and set up ads within Google's DoubleClick environment, now known as Google Marketing Platform. By utilizing Google Web Designer, I was able to create engaging, interactive ads that met the technical specifications and performance standards required for effective digital advertising campaigns. This experience enhanced my ability to develop visually compelling and technically sound advertising solutions.

Midjourney

I have effectively utilized Midjourney's AI-powered platform to generate high-quality photography, graphical elements, and icons for various web projects. This innovative tool has not only allowed me to create stunning visuals but has also significantly reduced our reliance on expensive stock imagery. By leveraging Midjourney, I have been able to streamline our design process, saving both time and resources while maintaining a high level of visual appeal and quality in our web content.

Nexternal

During my time at Simple Truths, I utilized Nexternal as our storefront platform, which played a crucial role in managing our online sales. The platform enabled us to maintain five online stores, contributing to an average of 750,000 monthly page views and 6,500 orders. One of our significant achievements was being featured in Internet Retailer's Second 500 Guide, 2011 Edition, where SimpleTruths.com was ranked 67th. This recognition underscored our success in increasing monthly visits to 1.5 million and highlighted our commitment to delivering exceptional online retail experiences.

React

I have delved into React in a personal capacity for training and development. Although I have not applied it in a professional setting yet, I am well-acquainted with its advantages in expediting the creation of online interfaces. React’s component-based architecture and efficient rendering process can significantly enhance the speed and efficiency of building dynamic web applications. I appreciate its potential to streamline development workflows and improve user experience, and I am eager to leverage it in future projects.

Salesforce Content Builder

During my tenure at the American Medical Association (2023-2024), I extensively utilized Salesforce Marketing Cloud's Content Builder to develop engaging and responsive emails and newsletters. This platform was instrumental in enhancing our digital communications strategy, allowing for dynamic and personalized content. Additionally, I leveraged Salesforce's Web Studio to design and build campaign landing pages, ensuring consistent brand representation and user-friendly interfaces. These tools were essential in streamlining our marketing efforts and effectively engaging our audience.

Squarespace

I have extensive experience in setting up and customizing Squarespace websites for clients, helping them establish a strong online presence. Additionally, I have mentored clients in utilizing Squarespace's intuitive platform, enabling them to independently manage and update their websites. My expertise in Squarespace extends to creating visually appealing designs and optimizing user experiences, ensuring that each website meets the client's unique needs and goals.

SCSS

During my time at the Kellogg School of Management (2013-2020), I undertook a significant project that involved transitioning a large-scale web project's CSS to SCSS. This project required a complete rewrite of approximately 65,000 lines of code, converting them into a more organized and efficient SCSS file structure. I meticulously cleaned up redundant and conflicting lines of code, ensuring a streamlined and maintainable codebase. This project not only honed my skills in SCSS but also demonstrated my ability to manage and execute complex refactoring tasks in a structured and efficient manner.

Sitecore

During my tenure at the Kellogg School of Management (2013-2020), I extensively utilized Sitecore to manage and enhance the institution’s web presence. My role involved not only developing and maintaining high-quality web pages but also serving as a technical support specialist for the Education Staff on Sitecore. I provided hands-on assistance and training, ensuring staff members were proficient in using Sitecore’s features and capabilities. By troubleshooting issues, offering solutions, and mentoring staff, I played a critical role in enabling them to efficiently manage and update web content, thereby contributing to the overall effectiveness and reliability of the institution’s online resources.

Wix

I have helped set up Wix websites for clients, tailoring each site to meet their unique needs and aesthetic preferences. Additionally, I have mentored my clients in using the Wix platform, guiding them through the various features and functionalities. This mentorship has empowered them to become self-sufficient, enabling them to confidently manage and update their websites on their own. By providing this support, I ensure that my clients have the skills and knowledge needed to maintain a strong online presence independently.

Wordpress

I have assisted clients in setting up WordPress websites, customizing each site to align with their specific requirements and brand identity. Furthermore, I have provided comprehensive mentorship on the WordPress platform, helping clients understand its diverse features and capabilities. This guidance has enabled my clients to become self-sufficient, allowing them to effectively manage and update their websites independently. Through this support, I ensure my clients are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to sustain a robust online presence on their own.

American Medical Association

At the American Medical Association (AMA) in Chicago, Illinois, I held the role of Senior Digital Designer from April 2023 to March 2024. During my tenure, I proficiently developed engaging and responsive emails and campaign landing pages using Salesforce Marketing Cloud's Content Builder. This involved not only crafting visually appealing designs but also ensuring they were optimized for various devices and email clients.

One of my key responsibilities was conceptualizing and designing campaign landing pages that aligned with marketing objectives. I translated these designs into frontend code within Salesforce Marketing Cloud's Web Studio environment, ensuring consistent brand representation and user-friendly interfaces. This process required a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of design principles to maintain the AMA’s high standards of visual communication.

I played a pivotal role in project kickoff meetings, contributing to the User Experience (UX) design focus. By integrating UX principles into project goals and strategies, I helped ensure that the final products were not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and intuitive for users. This holistic approach to design was crucial in delivering cohesive and effective digital marketing materials.

In addition to my design duties, I led User Experience research initiatives. Collaborating closely with digital marketers, I devised and executed A/B testing for web pages using Optimizely. These efforts resulted in data-driven optimizations that enhanced user engagement and improved the overall performance of the AMA’s digital campaigns. My work at the AMA was a blend of creativity, technical skill, and strategic thinking, all aimed at advancing the organization's digital marketing efforts.

True Value Company

During my tenure as Senior Digital Designer at True Value Company in Chicago from April 2021 to January 2023, I spearheaded the integration of a new email coding platform, BeePro, for the marketing team. Drawing on my expertise and research in email development technologies, I not only led the training of BeePro for other marketing designers but also devised solutions to streamline the deployment team’s workflow and maintain the integrity of Adobe Campaign Manager.

I led the marketing team in developing digital assets across various sectors, including retail, B2C, B2B, and wholesale. Utilizing software such as Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, and Adobe Premiere, I designed graphics, animations, and videos for integration into emails, websites, and video presentations. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in producing studio video shoots for Monthly CEO Videos, which were distributed to over 2,000 store owners and retailers. In post-production, I independently edited and exported video assets while creating supporting graphics to enhance the overall visual impact.

As the sole marketing team member proficient in producing and editing HTML/5, JavaScript/JQuery, and CSS/3 code, I often mentored and assisted team members in troubleshooting digital projects. I also ensured adherence to brand guidelines, policies, and procedures, maintaining well-organized assets with an original file structure for the team's ease of use. My role also involved providing user experience expertise to marketing managers, rewards managers, and business development, contributing to the formulation of optimal impact of informative messaging. My commitment to fostering an empathetic work environment, characterized by fairness, teamwork, and respect, was consistently demonstrated in my interactions with colleagues.

Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

During my time at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management as a Front-End Web Developer from February 2013 to August 2020, I crafted front-end user interfaces for diverse projects like higher education campaign landing pages, digital course assets, webpages, email templates, animated banner ads, special event websites, and online questionnaires. I used Adobe Creative Suite tools such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Premiere, After Effects, and Illustrator daily, producing visually captivating digital assets.

I adeptly translated pixel-perfect user interfaces from pre-visualized layouts and schematics provided by design team members, creating custom HTML/5, JavaScript/JQuery, and CSS/3 code while adhering to organizational brand guidelines. As the lead CSS and SCSS developer and responsive design expert, I crafted unique designs and layouts for specialized marketing and communication campaigns, often mentoring colleagues in troubleshooting complex CSS layouts. Additionally, I oversaw and supported multiple teams of website editors throughout the organization, serving as a technical support liaison and assisting in troubleshooting and debugging online content.

In my role, I frequently facilitated communication between development, design, and leadership teams, effectively identifying and resolving potential issues. Engaging in strategy discussions with stakeholders such as marketing managers, designers, back-end developers, copywriters, UX designers, and project managers, I contributed to digital marketing campaigns and website upgrades. Furthermore, I authored functionality specifications for backend developers and third-party vendors for website upgrades, ensuring all tasks were executed promptly and with excellent communication and respect for all team members.

Additionally, I was a part of three accolades during my time at Kellogg.

In September 2015, I was honored to receive the prestigious Kellogg Executive Education Exceptional Partner Award for my work on migrating their website to Sitecore, their new Content Management System (CMS). "The Kellogg Executive Education Exceptional Partner Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the Kellogg Executive Education culture that we live and the distinctive experience we create for our participants. Recipients of this award help us all to expedite change, inspire innovation, and foster growth. They help us create competitive differentiation and sustain a leadership advantage. They are at the heart of what Kellogg teaches and where we focus our efforts each day. Together, we are defining the value that Kellogg brings to every organization and each individual that partners with us in executive development."

Also, in 2015, we launched the Inspiring Growth Branding for the Kellogg School of Management. The rebrand of the school was a year-long project, and our web team worked closely with SapientNitro in a global restructure of the frontend design, along with upgrading the backend use of Sitecore, the CMS.

That same Inspiring Growth rebrand for Kellogg continued to receive notice and won a Graphic Design USA's American Web Design Award in 2015.

Simple Truths, LLC

My tenure at Simple Truths (2006-2012) evolved significantly as the company grew. Initially brought on to design the website, I was the sole in-house Graphic Designer, playing a pivotal role and wearing many hats, including designing print material. At that time, Simple Truths averaged 750,000 page views and 6,500 orders per month. After I led the website redesign, the sales conversion rate increased by 2%. By the end of my tenure, SimpleTruths.com was featured in Internet Retailer's Second 500 Guide, 2011 Edition, ranking 67th and noting an increase in monthly visits to 1.5 million.

Over my six years there, my role expanded to lead a team responsible for maintaining the online presence while I directed a new multimedia division. We produced inspirational movies for online viewing and DVDs that accompanied gift books. As the project lead for movie projects, I worked both individually and with external vendors, ensuring seamless integration of these productions into our marketing campaigns. I used Adobe After Effects to animate the short inspirational movies, making it a prominent tool in my animation strategies. My creative expertise also extended to designing and laying out B2C marketing materials using Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator, including sell sheets, tri-fold brochures, DVD cases, DVD labels, and catalogs.

Bar Management Group

During my role as a Graphic Designer at Bar Management Group in Charlotte, North Carolina, from May 2005 to September 2006, I was responsible for creating the design and layout of various print materials, including event flyers, posters, menus, publication ads, emailers, and brochures. I also had the opportunity to develop branding for numerous special events and venues, which involved logo design. Additionally, I played a key role in designing and producing several bar and nightclub websites, incorporating various online flash elements, and ensuring the timely updating of online content for events and promotions nationwide. My contributions also extended to providing 3D materials for television commercials broadcasted during this period.

Elmore Productions, Inc.

My career path in web design started at Elmore Productions, Inc. (2004 to 2005) just after completing my web certificate at The Art Institute of Charlotte (2002-2003). The experience was instrumental in developing a proficiency in soft skills like effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Additionally, I contributed to website maintenance, content updates, and the design of various web elements, enhancing the studio's online presence and overall digital strategy.

The Art Institute of Charlotte

At The Art Institute of Charlotte (2002-2003), I combined my passion for animation with user interface design, further refining my skills in digital media. This degree allowed me to merge my creative interests, providing a strong foundation in both animation and UI design. The hands-on experience and collaborative environment deepened my understanding of how to create engaging and functional user experiences, setting the stage for my future career in web design and digital media.

Full Sail University

At Full Sail University (1999-2001), I discovered my passion for animation while spending 18 months immersed in a vibrant community of like-minded creative individuals. The intensive program not only honed my technical skills but also fueled my enthusiasm for digital design. By the end of my studies, I became certified in Maya 2.5, which initiated my path in creative digital workflows. Although I no longer keep up with updated 3D animation programs, this experience laid the foundation for my career in digital media and design.

The University of Utah

I began my college education at the University of Utah (1998-1999), completing my freshman year. After this initial year, I decided to pursue a different path that aligned more closely with my career aspirations. This led me to transfer to Full Sail University (1999-2001), where I studied Computer Animation, earning a degree that laid the foundation for my career in digital design and animation.

Competitive Sailor

In 2018, I learned to sail on Lake Michigan at Northwestern University's Sailing Club. The following year, a class at Corinthian Yacht Club Chicago connected me with my first skipper on Heartbreaker, a 1D35, with whom I sailed until 2022. In 20214, I joined the crew of Suspect, a Perry 58. I find racing sailboats to be an exhilarating adventure that enriches my life. I'm grateful to be part of Chicago's sailing community, a welcoming family in a world-class location for learning.

Ski Instructor

I started skiing at around nine years old, and although I didn't enjoy it initially, I persisted because my whole family loved it, and it soon became a personal passion. At the age of 16, I was hired as a Ski Instructor at Mt. Brighton, Michigan, which further fueled my love for the sport. When I first enrolled in college, I was uncertain about my life's direction, but I was thrilled to be accepted at The University of Utah (1998-1999), where I focused on skiing and taught with the Alta Ski School for university credits. One of my most significant skiing achievements was a Heli-skiing trip in Back-country, British Columbia, guided by CMH (Canadian Mountain Holidays).

Fantasy Author

In my spare time, I enjoy crafting fantasy stories and am currently working on my first novel. While I may not yet consider myself an author, as life often interrupts the writing process, I find immense joy in creating and exploring other worlds, hoping that one day, others may enjoy these tales as much as I do.

Fantasy Illustarator

In addition to writing, I love to utilize my illustration skills to bring scenes from my stories to life. My goal is to create chapter art that complements and enhances the narrative, enriching the reader's experience.

Gaming League Commissioner

I joined The Chicago League of Magic in 2018, a gaming group dedicated to Magic: The Gathering. In 2020, I volunteered my time and took over the role of commissioner. In this capacity, I oversee a group of 12-20 enthusiasts, organizing schedules, creating tournaments, and managing all aspects of the league, including collecting drafting fees and ensuring smooth operation.