Currently chopping wood in the mountains of Colorado.
Experience
Current
Creating visual identity systems with a lasting impact for brands that make the future bright. My process is reliably efficient and effective, and my mind is truly innovative and weird. Serving a variety of clients with open communication, collaboration, and the highest level of creativity.
Previous
Visual Design Lead, Pearson
Researched, iterated, and developed new branding strategies, resulting in a new iconography set for the Pearson brand. Conceptualized, wire-framed, designed, and pitched a new professional learning platform. Worked with an international team across many different time zones.
Senior Art Director, Leo Burnett
Joined the Department of Design team to concept and execute innovative and show-stopping campaigns for Samsung. Additionally created a series of animated illustrations for Procter & Gamble TV campaign, and spearheaded the re-branding of Fifth Third Bank.
Senior Art Director, VSA Partners
Managed a team of designers and writers across brand and marketing, directing and inspiring the work from concept to execution across print, digital, and video. Created high-concept pitch work, social media strategies, and directed photoshoots at Kraft Foods headquarters.
Senior Designer, Obama for America
Designed, launched, and staffed the 2012 Obama re-elect campaign. Worked in a fast-paced environment to deliver the highest level of design. Notable projects include 2012 branding, Obama for America online store, and the Gotta Vote campaign.
Art Director, DigitasLBi
Spearheaded projects and designed digital, print, and TV campaigns for MillerCoors, Sara Lee, Kellogg’s, KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Disney, and Walgreens. Participate in and help facilitate creative brainstorming, ideation sessions, and concepting.
UI/UX Design, Magic + Might
Designed and tested the HUD and digital interface for Ford Motors. Explored new digital and physical experiences in vehicles—from buttons and knobs to icons and typography. Refreshed the Ford Motors in-vehicle icon library. Primarily lead the digital interface design for the Mustang brand.
Lead Designer, Columbia College Portfolio Center
Worked in collaboration with professors and students to establish the Portfolio Center branding and identity. Created promotional materials and posters for event series. Held sessions mentoring students and guiding them through the design of their portfolios.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts at Columbia College Chicago
Recognized by Forbes Magazine as Columbia College Notable Alumni
Information Design Studies at Mälardalens Högskola in Västerås, Sweden
Awarded scholarship to study
In the Community
Portfolio Reviewer at VSA Partners in conjunction with AIGA
Cannes Lions 48 Hour Ad Contest Contestant
Guest Lecturer and Career Advisor at Columbia College Chicago
Chicago Women’s Elite Cycling non-profit Co-Founder
Rapha & AIGA 5x5 Intervals on Design: Guest speaker
Designing for Politics: AIGA Lecture, Cleveland, OH
Chicago Design Museum Exhibit Committee Member
Chicago Women’s Health Center Volunteer and Organizer
Professional Cyclist 2021-2024
Passion for cooking great meals and sharing them with friends
International Traveler
Sewing Skills
Hugged Obama
Has a library card
Specialties
Branding
Creative Direction
Photoshoot Art Direction
Storyboard
Ideation
Pitch
Digital Marketing
User Experience
Group Leadership
Notable Clients
Pearson
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Democratic National Committee (DNC)
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)
Obama for America
Ford Motors
Clean Energy Trust
Upworthy
National Public Radio (NPR)
Theaster Gates, Dorchester Projects
Chicago Parks Foundation
Kraft Foods
MillerCoors
Whirlpool
Disney
KitchenAid
Walgreens
The worst feedback I ever received in a performance review was:
“She tends to get frustrated with slower partners.”
What can I say? It’s the truth. I’ve got energy, ideas, passion, and the fire under my butt to make sh*t happen.
How it started
I’ve been designing and creating since the seasoned age of 8 when I entered a coloring competition sponsored by Six Flags amusement parks. After countless hours of carefully filling in those unrelenting lines, I mounted my submission on multiple sheets of colored paper, because as we all know, presentation is everything. I scored round-trip tickets for my family to Six Flags, and became convinced this biz was for me.
How it’s going
Fourteen (14!) years ago I began working as an Art Director at DigitasLBi. I quickly moved up in the agency and spearheaded campaigns for MillerCoors, Sara Lee, Kellogg’s, KitchenAid, Whirpool, Disney, and Walgreens. After my years at DigitasLBi, I leapt at an opportunity to design the Obama for America 2012 re-elect campaign. As one of only three original designers on the Presidential campaign, I conceptualized and executed the Obama 2012 brand and began staffing the creative team. Following the successful re-election of President Obama, a hug from the man himself, and a very long nap, I began work as a Senior Art Director at VSA Partners where I led digital design strategies for high-profile clients. After many years of experience, I left the desk job to pursue a career as a professional athlete but never left my work behind. Through this shift I’ve been able to work at a variety of different agencies (large & small) and hone my skills in many different aspects of creativity.
Lately I’ve been focused on creating visual identity systems with a lasting impact for brands that make the future bright. I bring open communication, collaboration, and the highest level of creativity to every team I join. My creative process is reliably efficient and effective, and my mind is truly innovative and weird.