Below are successful projects I have designed for B2B, B2C and nonprofit clients for a wide range of media and target audiences.
Empirehouse: Architectural Glass & Metal Contractor
As the sole marketing/creative staff member, designed and executed an integrated brand across print and digital media channels: Corporate interior design, multimedia, trade show booth designs, social media, trade publication advertising, publications, websites, and packaging. Worked with leadership to develop the brand providing concept development, graphic design, writing, editing, production art, photography, image editing, video, and video editing for print and digital media channels.
Interior Design
Front Desk Reception Redesign
My Role
- Developed the concept and graphic design across large format artwork and multimedia display
Design Decisions
- Developed a looped PowerPoint multimedia presentation that showcased the company’s architectural glass and metal projects
- Surrounding the monitor, along the wall and behind the reception area, I created vector line art from glazing photos I captured in the field utilizing the company’s logo colors of red, blue, black, and white
- Added the company logo and passion statement to the white marble reception desk surround and re-purposed the original logo art to another area of the company
- Produced the design concept and prototype within four hours
- While I was away from my desk, leadership stopped by my office and saw the prototype on my monitor. They were thrilled with the new design before I had a chance to present it
Finalized Artwork
- Worked with the company’s specialty glass vendor to incorporate the large format vector art
- Designed a multimedia looped PowerPoint that showcased the company’s recent architectural glass and metal projects from architectural photography I had captured
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro and Microsoft PowerPoint
Reception Multimedia
Branded multimedia presentation that showcased the Company’s iconic architectural design-assist glass and metal projects.
Photography and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft PowerPoint.
Trade Show Design
2017 AIA Trade Show Booth Design & Media
The company had been a regular participant of the Minnesota AIA Trade Show for 40 years with the same eye-catching booth for many years. The “Catch the Buzz” theme began as a social media teaser leading up to the launch of a new, interactive marker board booth display featuring “Empirehouse: Your Architectural Glass and Metal Design-Assist Partner.”
A buzz trail led trade show participants from the aisle through the booth to the beginning of the “Discovery” phase of the design-assist experience. A giant 20 x 8 foot steel-loaded aluminum frame held write-able, decorative glass marker boards—both showcased products that the Company represents and installs.
The marker board doubled as an interactive tool to engage trade show participants in the Company’s architectural glass and metal design-assist services. A looped multimedia presentation showcased the Company’s design-assist projects. Project profiles were available as handouts of signature design-assist projects.
Adding to the experience was free craft beer that engaged pub table conversations and marker board renderings with design-assist partners in the Architectural, General Contractor, and Specialty Glass and Metal industries.
Trade show guests left with a memorable, branded mini-marker board and dry erase marker to use as an erasable to-do list or coffee coaster.
My Role
- Collaborated with leadership three months ahead of the AIA Trade Show event to develop the trade show theme
- Designed and wrote an integrated brand across print and digital media channels: 20 x 8 foot marker board booth and pub tables, giveaways, multimedia presentation, project profiles, blog posts, social media infographic and posts, an advertisement in the AIA Convention publication, and email campaigns which drove publicity to the booth
- Facilitated weekly meetings with key stakeholders to establish timelines and logistics leading up to the event
- Prior to the trade show, encouraged leadership to coach booth staff in ways to engage trade show participants and capture qualified leads
- Designed a multimedia presentation loop showcased successful design-assist architectural glass and metal projects: Target Center renovation, Bell Museum of Natural History, Lakewood Garden Mausoleum, Walker Art Center, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minnesota Orchestra Hall, and more
- Designed, wrote and printed project profiles of successful design-assist architectural glass and metal projects for handouts
- Served as event photographer
Brand development and execution, graphic design, copywriting, and vendor coordination.
Software: Adobe Illustrator and Acrobat.
Engaging trade show attendees using the giant marker board to provide architectural glass and metal design-assist solutions.
Trade Show Giveaways
Branded mini glass marker board giveaways were provided with a dry erase markers. Marker board doubled as a coffee coaster and daily to-do list.
Giveaway concept development, copywriting, graphic design, and vendor coordination.
Software: Adobe Illustrator and Acrobat.
Event Social Media
Trade show social media posts leading up to the AIA convention.
Each week the QR Code link to the Website page added more information about the event without giving it away.
Software: Adobe Photoshop.
Social Media Infographics
Infographics used with blog and social media posts to build brand awareness.
Designed and wrote dozens of branded infographics used with blog and social media posts with links to website landing pages.
Concept development, graphic design, photography, and copywriting.
Software: Adobe Photoshop.
Trade Publication Advertisements
Trade publication ad
Utilized the shape of the logo icon to develop a photo montage that showcased iconic projects being glazed and completed as part of the brand look.
Concept development, graphic design, photography, and copywriting.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
Company Manuals
Designed four branded manuals for the company: a Safety Manual, a Quality Manual, an Employee Manual, and a Procedure Manual.
Concept development, graphic design, technical editing, photography, image editing and compositing, and production art to press-ready mechanicals and print vendor coordination.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat, Microsoft Word.
Packaging
Two-color branded glass sample box.
My Role
- Worked with the company president to design a branded glass box
- Provided the concept development, graphic design, and production art according to printing specifications for this two-color glass box
Design Thinking
- Produced two designs: a four-color digital design that reflected the icon photo montage brand element and a two-color flexo printed design that reflected the logo colors and 2017 AIA trade show design
- The front of the box is Minneapolis and the backside is St. Paul. Both cities are within the company’s target market
- The red, white and blue colors of the two-color design align perfectly front to back when folded
- The two-color flexo printed design was chosen for its cost effectiveness
Finalized Artwork
- Worked with the print vendor to create vector art to template specification using PMS colors from the company’s logo
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat
Dasco
As Graphic Designer, independently designed an integrated brand across print and digital media for this industrial labeling & identification systems reseller: Websites, social media, marketing communications, and videos.
Website
B2B e-commerce website
Design concept: The design concept of this 20,000 product e-commerce website was to showcase the full scope of identification solutions by industry and by product type, highlighting why Dasco was the best choice: great prices, fast delivery, expert service and custom labels, and keeping the home page to all content within the screen without scrolling.
My role: Website concept development, graphic design, copywriting and editing of this 20,000 product e-commerce website using SEO strategies:
- Produced seven different design concepts and presented to leadership for approval
- Worked with an e-commerce platform to integrate design concept
- Produced written and visual content for 20,000 product utilizing Excel formulas
- Integrated social media: Facebook, Google+, Twitter, YouTube, and a WordPress blog and produce content with links back to the Company’s website
Software: Adobe Dreamweaver and Photoshop; eCommerce platform.
Trade Show Banners
Wire ID trade show banner design
Provided the concept development, graphic design, and copywriting for the Dasco Wire ID trade show banners used at the Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expos. Trade show banners were instrumental in drawing 2,000 targeted prospects who were in search of affordable ways to identify their wires and cables. Designed and wrote the marketing material for the trade show: blog posts, infographics, Website home page banners, landing pages, and online video.
Concept development, graphic design, copy writing and extensive image editing and compositing for three large format displays (3′ x 8′).
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat.
Trifold Brochure
Trifold brochure was handed out at a Wire ID trade show events.
Concept development, graphic design, copywriting, and extensive image editing and compositing.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
Trade Publication Ad
Concept development, copywriting, graphic design, extensive image editing and compositing.
Executed the concept development, copywriting, graphic design, and complex image montage for an ad published in a medical trade publication leading to 56 qualified leads and four sales exceeding ROI in its first placement, as well as a campaign of ads for the same publication.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
Infographics
Designed and wrote dozens of branded infographics used with blog and social media posts with links to Website landing pages and product pages.
Concept development, graphic design and copywriting.
Software: Adobe Photoshop.
Videos
Launched the Dasco YouTube channel and produced over 50 how-to and demonstration videos which were shared on social media and embedded into blog posts, website landing pages, and product pages. Also worked with the sales staff to develop client specific videos leading to direct sales.
Concept development, graphic design, video and editing.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
North Skies Architectural Sales
Website
Website home page
Website product page
My Role
- Chose a low cost, cloud-based website platform that would be easy to maintain
- Designed a simple, clean and modern informational website that appeals to the architectural industry and highlights the products, services, and projects
- Worked with leadership through the design and website development process
- Idea to done in less than two weeks
Website concept, development, graphic design, logo design, and copy editing using SEO strategies.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Wix platform.
Portable Pull-up Banner
This pull-up banner was designed to be used as a full-sized floor banner or pulled-up half sized as a table banner.
Concept development, graphic design, logo design, image editing and compositing for large format display floor display.
Software: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat.
NordicTrack: Exercise Equipment Manufacturer
As the Lead Advertising Designer, worked closely with Business Units and the Creative Director to design numerous national advertising campaigns and collateral for the Company’s leading product line: the NordicTrack Ski Exerciser. Directed on-location and in-studio photography with models. Worked with print, photography, and separations vendors to establish needs within budget.
Award-Winning Ad: Legs by NordicTrack
This national women’s health and fitness campaign won a Harvey Communications Award which was based upon readership response. The ad became one of the most successful with a cost per inquiry as low as $7.
Provided the concept development, headline concept, graphic design, and photo direction of this award-winning national women’s aerobic exercising campaign using the NordicTrack Ski exerciser.
Software: QuarkXPress and Adobe Photoshop.
National Marketing Brochure
NordicTrack Ski national fulfillment brochure
Art directed and designed this national sales brochure, directed 47 photo shoots with models on-location and in-studio. This brochure exceeded the response of the previous, long-standing control and became the new national sales fulfillment brochure.
Software: QuarkXPress and Photoshop.
North American Outdoor Group
As Senior Marketing Art Director, worked with Senior Management, Marketing Directors, and Product Managers to design the brand identity for several national membership clubs (hunting, fishing, handyman, gardening, cooking, and golf). Instrumental in developing the Marketing Art Department from onset. Managed a team of Art Directors achieve a high-volume workload, meeting brand standards, technical requirements, budgets, and deadlines. Directed a wide range of photography.
Direct Mail Package
North American Hunting Club acquisition control package design
Concept development and graphic design of this winning direct mail package targeting those who enjoy recreational hunting.
Redesigned and reformatted a long-standing acquisition control package of five years using existing text. Elements of the package included an over-sized, five-color envelop using fluorescent orange as the fifth color; a four-page letter; involvement device; and membership form. The redesigned package exceeded the response of the previous long-standing control package design by 33-percent. This translated to an additional 47,000 new members annually and helped the company achieve the Midwest Direct Marketing Association Direct Marketer of the Year Award in 1998.
This redesigned acquisition control package remained the long-standing unbeaten control for over seven years with mail quantities of up to one-million monthly.
Software: Photoshop and QuarkXPress.
Medical Arts Press: Medical Office Supply Reseller
As Catalog Supervisor, worked with Marketing Directors and Product Managers to design complex catalog cover montages using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign while leading a team of Graphic Artists to produce the document design of 2,500 catalog pages annually meeting brand standards and committed press schedules.
Catalog Covers
Catalog cover designs.
Produced three cover designs that aligned with the marketing strategy, project objective, and target audience for initial review. Rolled out with the final design for presentation to Senior Leadership.
Concept development, graphic design, extensive image editing and compositing of successful control covers for the medical, veterinary, and physical therapy industry.
Software: Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress and Adobe Photoshop.
Publication Design
LifeTIMES
As part of a college course project, produced the concept development, graphic design and branding of this publication and cover series redesign.
Concept development and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and InDesign.
View LifeTIMES multi-page design (pdf)
Heritage Highlights
As a volunteer, have provided the cover designs for Heritage Highlights, an international publication of the Tennessee Walking Horse Heritage Society since September 2012.
Concept development, graphic design, extensive image editing and compositing.
Software: Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Acrobat.
Minnesota Walker
Concept development, graphic design, story writing, and editing of 14 issues of Minnesota Walker, official publication of the Minnesota Walking Horse Association. Created template and style sheets for publication consistency.
Software: Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, and Microsoft Word.
Metropolitan State University
While working on my Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and Multimedia Communications, I was part of a group project in my Document Design course. My role was to design this multi-page forms packet for the Student Payroll department. Our team produced the winning forms packet that Student Payroll utilizes.
Student Payroll Form Packet
Form family design
Provided the graphic design of this fill-able forms packet for the Metropolitan State University Student Payroll department.
Software: Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, and Microsoft Word.
Student Payroll Forms (pdf)
Logo Design
Peninsula Series Linear Gas Fireplaces
Concept development and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Illustrator.
North Skies Architectural Sales
Concept development and graphic design.
An architectural product sales company catering to the northern Midwest states.
Software: Adobe Illustrator.
Dasco Medical
Concept development and graphic design.
Medical laboratory identification company.
Software: Adobe Photoshop.
Living Hope
Concept development and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Grace Lutheran Church of Andover
Concept development and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Photoshop.
First Lutheran Church of Crystal
Concept development and graphic design for a traditional Lutheran church.
Software: Adobe Photoshop.
Acucraft Fireplace Systems: a world-wide manufacturer of custom fireplaces
Filled in for the Marketing Director while on an extensive leave. Functioned as a one-person creative agency for a leading custom fireplace design manufacturer. Worked with the Owner, Marketing and Sales teams to deliver the writing, graphic design, photography, and video for print and digital media to improve brand awareness, thought leadership, SEO, engagement, and generate qualified leads
Brochure
Peninsula gas fireplace national product brochure
Produced the graphic design and copywriting for this 12-page national sales brochure.The Company’s Owner said it was the best brochure he had seen in the Company’s 40-year history.
Graphic design, logo design, copywriting, and extensive photo image editing of this national sales brochure.
Software: Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
Infographics
Designed branded infographics to accompany weekly or twice weekly blog posts shared on social media channels: Facebook,Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Concept development, graphic design, copywriting, and photo editing.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro and WordPress.
Grove Christian Center
Website
Website concept was designed around the core values of reaching, relational, and relevant and showcased the main ministries. The color pallet and graphics aligned with the church’s established brand.
Provided the graphic design, website development, and written and visual content using SEO principles.
Concept development, graphic design and editing.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver.
Grace Lutheran Church of Andover
Developed and executed an integrated communication strategy and brand identity throughout print and digital media: Website, weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters and e-newsletters, signage, multimedia graphics, postcards, logo development and letterhead.
Website
Concept development, editing, and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver; Microsoft Word and PowerPoint; and Constant Contact.
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E-newsletter
Concept development, editing, and graphic design of e-newsletter.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Constant Contact.
Multimedia
Designed images that tied into the sermon theme that were used as multimedia communication and repurposed for print and digital media.
Concept development, graphic design, image editing and compositing.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft PowerPoint.
Outdoor Signage
Easter banner
Concept development, graphic design, and image creation of this Easter banner used for multiple years.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Publisher.
Postcards
Concept development, copywriting, and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Publisher
Publication
GraceNotes
Concept development, graphic design, editing, and image creation of 27 issues of GraceNotes and integrated content to populate website.
Devised a way to print halftone images on a two-color duplicator to replace clip art imagery with more compelling photo images.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Publisher.
Bulletin
The weekly bulletin cover imagery tied into the sermon theme and was integrated throughout print and digital media.
Devised a way to print halftone images on a two-color duplicator to replace clip art imagery with more compelling photo images.
Concept development, copywriting, editing, and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft PowerPoint.
Letterhead
Concept development, logo design, and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
First Lutheran Church of Crystal
Developed and designed an integrated brand for print and online media: Website, monthly publication, logo, and letterhead.
Website
The concept around the home page design was to offer many entry points to the different ministries of the church. The content was updated regularly and connected with the goings on and sermon theme.
Website concept, design, development, copywriting, and content management of 100-page website. (2007-2011)
Software: Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Microsoft Publisher.
Publication: Visitor
Provided the concept development, graphic design and editing for 22 issues of the Visitor, official publication of First Lutheran Church of Crystal.
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Acrobat Pro and Microsoft Publisher.
Letterhead Design
Concept development and graphic design.
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
Golden Rule Child Care
Designed and produced a website and promotional brochure that reflects this nonprofit child care center’s multicultural, creative and fun environment.
Website development, graphic design, and editing of website and brochure.
Software: Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop and InDesign.
