Ha! I can’t believe I wrote that.
“I am a problem solver and strategic design thinking is my solution.”
It is such a highly Americanized word-salad and so far from what I want to express.
Well, that’s not me. I am so much more than that sentence, and so much less “hype. “
So let me share who I really am.
· I’m the kid who skipped lunch to hide in the library.
· I’m the kid with a camera at 14 and a home-built darkroom at 15
· I’m the kid who wanted to see the old “boring” black and white films
· I’m the kid who waited extra hours to frustrate my art teacher, theater teachers, and any creative I could ask more of.
· I spent 35 years trying to learn everything I could about design, aesthetics, brand, and visual communications, even staying up till 4 am reading white papers.
· But that is not the limit of who I am. I did more by learning to cook, even professionally for a short time. I learned how to make cheese, sausage, and wine (actually very good wine), and some quality, but limited, baking skills.
· I learned to ride a motorcycle, drive a heavy truck, scuba dive, and became certified as a rescue diver and first responder.
· I spent 10 years traveling and photographing the special places I got to enjoy. I learned to shoot off my hip so as not to disturb the environment or insult anyone.
· Oh, and for a year, I was a high-level tech support for major accounts for Dell Computers.
So no, I’m not that sentence. I am much more, and less arrogant than that sounds.
I just love art and design.
Developing actionable brand strategy and associated visuals for a digital-first color specification system. Deliverables include original brand strategy documentation, a unique visual identity targeted to a niche technical and creative market, a brand messaging framework, and a launch plan, including timelines and milestones.
Led the re-branding initiative for Sally Beauty, executing a modernized logo, authoring brand standards, and expanding brand presence through sponsorships and influencer marketing
Creative Director at Behringer Harvard, directing external branded materials, initiating cost-saving initiatives, and managing a creative team with a 300% increase in production, and a 30% reduction in external costs.
As a Sr. Art Director at Mary Kay Intl., designed and coded interactive member websites, resolving structural issues, and streamlining data structures, resulting in enhanced consumer experience.
Art Director and Web Designer at StudioAble, creating full branding packages for various clients, coding informational websites, and executing successful email marketing campaigns.
Art Director at Capital One, adapting direct mail packages, spearheading standardization of application forms, and illustrating over 300 card design concepts for multiple lines of business.
Successfully executed a 3-month email marketing test for Angeluna restaurants, achieving an average open rate of 22% and a conversion rate of 3.5% as part of a brand promotion campaign.
Skills include Design, Branding, Strategy, Creative Direction, Team Building, Implementation, Optimization, Analysis, Leadership, and Development.
EXPERIENCE
DESIGN and BRAND DEVELOPMENT – WEBTONE.ORG – Stockholm, 2024 – Current
DESIGNER (volunteer) – Röda Korset (Bromma), 2024 – Current
BRAND DIRECTOR/CREATIVE LEAD Serendipitea World, Stockholm, Sweden, 2021
CREATIVE DIRECTOR (contract),
At Home, Carrolton, TX, 2018-2020
Sally Beauty, Denton, TX, 2015-2017
RESEARCH ASSISTANT, in ATEC, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS, ANTE’ INSTITUTE, Dallas, TX, 2012-2016
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Brandica, Plano, TX, 2009
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Behringer Harvard, Addison, Texas, 2006-2009
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, Mary Kay International, Dallas, TX, 2005-2006
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/MARKETING CONSULTANT (multiple contracts), StudioAble, Plano, TX, 2003-2010
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR, Capital One, Richmond, VA, 2002-2005
