My love affair with design began in a typography class in college. I was instantly smitten. Could I really obsess over letterforms and color palettes as a job? It seemed too good to be true. 

Fast forward a graphic design degree and a couple jobs later and I found myself having a pinch-me moment again, this time as a young art director. Do I really get to hang with an amazing writer and come up with ideas all day? And then figure out how to make them happen? Whoa.

And it’s been this spark, this feeling of “I get to do this?” that has stayed with me my entire career. I’ve moved cross country, worked in agencies big and small, and most recently donned an entrepreneur hat. The power of good design, good people and good ideas keeps me coming back for more. 

Woven into the work I do, is a belief in creating a more equitable world. I’ve spent the last 3 years creating Third Monday in April with this goal in mind. 

The Nitty Gritty: 
25+ years experience in print, packaging, exhibit, digital and video. From logos to creating all-the-things for a product launch (apparel, social media, videos), I’ve done it. And obsessed over it. And wondered how I could make it better. I’m in it for the big aha moments and all the small details that ensure an idea is done right. I love what I do.

INSPIRED
to do great work

EXPERIENCED
Freelance | Portland OR
Art Director | present
Work on a project basis for clients including: Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Biamp Systems, Oregon Youth Soccer, Cambia Health, Habitat for Humanity 

Pyramid Communications | Portland OR
Art Director | May 2009 - March 2010
Spear-headed all creative and design in the Portland office. Managed projects from initial client pitch through final production. Clients included: OHSU, Sierra Club, WorkSystems  

Ignited | Los Angeles CA
Art Director | January 2007 - August 2007
Soaked up some sunshine and did some awesome work with some really talented people. Clients included: SONY, LA Weekly, EA Mobile, Playa Vista

Point to Point Communications | Cleveland OH
Art Director | April 2004 - December 2006
Created award-winning work for clients including: Sherwin-Williams, La-Z-Boy Contract Furniture, United Way of Greater Cleveland, Mannington Commercial

Innis Maggiore Group | Canton OH
Art Director | January 2002 - April 2004
Focused on print, packaging, and interactive for clients such as: MSN, American Cancer Society, Parker Hannifin, Harry London Chocolates

Freelance | Cleveland OH
Art Director | June 2001 - January 2002
Worked on a project basis for Malone Advertising, Innis Maggiore Group, and Habitat for Humanity, realized hanging a Michigan flag in the state of Ohio is quite risky

bvk | Milwaukee WI
Art Director | November 1999 -  June 2001
Honed my skills as a print art director and got my feet wet in TV. Clients: United Airlines Vacations, General Mitchell Airport, Mount Carmel Health System

bvk | Milwaukee WI
Studio Artist | November 1998 -  November 1999
Designed travel catalogs, assembled files for print production, worked on cool creative when other art directors were too busy or on vacation or just sick of their clients

Third Millennium Design | Milwaukee WI
Designer | June 1998 - November 1998
Learned the ropes on web and print projects for Harley Davidson and Miller Brewing Company

EDUCATED
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor MI
Graduated May 1998 | B.F.A. with a graphic design concentration (summa cum laude)

Cordwainers Art College | London England
September - December 1997 | Photography, Printmaking, British Art and Architecture

FUN FACTS
Zip-lined in Costa Rica, have an ongoing love affair with the Boston Marathon, obsessed with Monadnock Paper, and got my butt kicked by 2 6lb baby girls