LEADING THE WAY IN DESIGN
I studied Psychology at liberal arts based Guilford College in North Carolina and then graphic design at the School of Visual Concepts in Seattle. My career has evolved over twenty years in Seattle as a corporate Art Director, Producer + Design Manager in Retail Food, Fashion and the Outdoor Industry. As a gifted story-teller, I shape brand personality, through producing compelling visual moments via product, lifestyle photoshoots and writing social media content and marketing communications. I have helped build household brands such as REI, Macy’s, Krusteaz, Ghirardelli.
My leadership role is that of Ambassador— guiding a creative project from ideation through to implementation. What does that journey entail? It starts with influencing strategy, then developing creative and project planning tools, on to driving design development through testing. Next, producing photography to create the brand, and managing the production phase, insuring a successful launch. Then listening to consumer response to the design, and adjusting as needed, to build a long-term relationship with the consumer and in return encouraging a marketplace allegiance and lift. Focus on: Packaging, Digital, Print.
The last three years I have furthered my creative skills with training in Seattle and abroad in the areas of jewelry design and abstract painting. I have studied at the Haystack School of Arts + Crafts on Deer Isle in Maine, Esalen on Big Sur in California, the Sedona Art Center in Arizona, with the Pratt School of Art in San Miguel Allende MX and while in Seattle at Danaca Design. I learned about art history and the business of art on a week course in NYC with the Gage School of Art. My travels in recent years have taken me to beautiful destinations to explore influential museums and trend-setting restaurants abroad in Spain/France, Iceland, Oxaca and in the Southwest hot spots of Palm Springs, Marfa/Austin, Denver, Tucson/Sedona, and Santa Fe.