Graphic Designer. Video Production Artist. Podcast Producer.
Graphic designers must be agile – able to shift gears on the spot and discern what the client or creative director wants based on little information. To do so, one must be good at listening and reading individuals – seeing what isn’t there, and delivering results based on nuances. To succeed, we need to know how to connect with people creatively. Since art and design are subjective, our goal is to make many individuals happy and ensure that the designed piece aligns with the overall brand. This is hard at times. It’s a trait that you hone over the lifespan of your career and beyond. Fortunately, this is a skillset that I continue to hone daily. I take pride in being able to discover not only what my clients say but also what they don’t say. I love to push the limits while striving to find new and unique ways to showcase visual information.
Designers are like chefs. We have to ask ourselves: What can you do to make each individual happy while keeping the main ingredient? What element of your design do you change to keep everyone happy? Changing colors or elements – design ingredients, if you will; mixing, tasting, and seeking feedback to strike the perfect balance. And then, just when you think you’ve achieved balance, another individual may come in and shake the bowl – shifting the energy in a different direction. When this happens, remain calm, cool, and zen. Understand that what might be a good balance for one may not work for another.
Full circle. I truly enjoy all aspects of the creative world. I started my career primarily in print layout. I’ve been a hobby photographer all my life. And, if I feel I’m lacking a specific skill, then I will do my best to fill the gap. Graphic design has evolved since I joined the workforce. We need to know our tools. We’re not just print designers anymore. We need to be open to continuous growth. That doesn’t mean that every graphic designer needs to know video production or how to produce a podcast. That’s just one aspect of my skill set that makes me unique. I have always loved creating, learning technical skills, and helping others to realize their vision. When I can help a client build a print visual and turn that into a video promotion, that’s a full-circle moment for me.
Here’s a list of my ingredients:
- Talent: Creative lead with expertise in video, podcast, digital, and print production. I craft compelling content and visuals for a variety of collateral – elevating them to a sophisticated level.
- Experience: Over 15 years of in-house graphics experience and 25+ years in the creative industry, focusing on high-quality design for various audiences. I’m technically driven and highly organized.
- Knowledge: Proficient in Adobe CC, Ceros, Canva, G-Suite, WordPress, CSS, and HTML, with hands-on experience in After Effects, Premiere Pro, Audition, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Animate, and Lightroom. I understand the difference between a web/digital graphic vs. a print graphic, and know when to use CMYK vs. RGB.
- Strong Communication Skills: A great listener who simplifies complex ideas. I thrive on collaboration and brainstorming to deliver effective graphic solutions.
- Relationship-focused: A dedicated communicator and team player, I’m passionate about quality work and helping others succeed, with experience in multi-disciplinary teams. I love sharing my knowledge with others.
- Dedicated to learning: I’m committed to expanding my design skills. Software is constantly evolving, and we must do the same. It’s important to know how to use our tools and understand the technical aspects of those tools.
I began my career in Belltown, Seattle, working for a small boutique firm. While enjoyable, this was not a long-term opportunity, so I accepted a full-time position at a sign company in Bellevue to gain more experience in production and design in a fast-paced setting. The shop owner gave me the opportunity to collaborate and work directly with customers, as well as drive the design aesthetic of the shop. This experience proved to be just what I needed to give me an edge as a designer. I learned how to speak with clients, work quickly, flex my design mind—from simple to complex projects—and work with a fun team in a high-output production space.
After some time, I found another opportunity that gave me significantly more responsibility. I ran the creative department at an aftermarket auto parts wholesaler for about seven years, starting in 2000. The department had an operating budget of over $200,000 per year at the time, which I successfully managed. I maintained a yearly production schedule of multiple product catalogs, direct mail newsletters, advertisements, and planned all the print collateral for a yearly trade show.
My current role is primarily focused on video production, audio production, and digital and print design. I manage a small team that supports a global law firm of more than 2,000 lawyers. At times, we produce up to 15 or more unique video and audio projects per month, while also supporting our graphic design team in brand collateral and print production.