Work History

Creative Thinker, Visual Designer

I create big ideas that achieve results.

An experienced creative with a long history of delivering results for Fortune® brands, agencies, and start-ups. I create captivating experiences for the likes of Disney, IBM, Alibaba, MAPFRE, and many others. I thrive in fast paced, brand-savvy, user centric environments where results matter and expectation are high. 

Work History

Experience Timeline

Work History by Skills Used:
WorkHistoryBySkill_Timeline
Timeline showing skills applied across various roles over 20 years.

Work History: Detail

2017-2021: MAPFRE INSURANCE — Sr. Designer of Brand & UX

I started at Verti (a MAPFRE USA company) about 1/3 into a multi-year journey to enable automated online insurance sales. The start-up style organization was a small rag-tag group of insurance professionals tasked with creating a purely digital insurance product. My initial goals were to finalize and unify the branding for beta- and pre-launch then iterate. Three years later I’ve been lucky enough to lead UX on 2 new online sales funnels and the digital service platform necessary to support customers.

When I started, UX was a term few in the organization were familiar with. In 3 years I’ve been able to implement many UX best practices, create and apply a design system, interactive customer journey maps, service blueprints, user testing, and documentation to support it all. I’ve really enjoyed working with Verti and MAPFRE and have learned immensely from the teams I’ve worked with.

Results: Approximately 50% reduction in cost/acquisition; Greatly reduced service call volume; Interactions are now tracked and analyzed to influence future iterations. The  experiences I created for Verti are being applied to MAPFRE’s daily processes.

2017: GEORGE P. JOHNSON — ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR*

I was brought on to help orchestrate the creation of Alibaba’s Gateway ’17 Toronto conference.  The 3-month timeframe for the event was very tight from concept to show opening which highlighted a need for efficiency and accuracy in translating client expectations into experiential reality. This event spanned about a half-million square feet of stages, a sponsor area, meeting areas, cafés, seating areas, a live broadcast studio, vendor booths, interactive experiences, and much more. I was tasked with creative direction, art direction, design and project management for both 2D and 3D components. When the dust settled the sold out event was a huge success and the cross cultural message resonated loudly.

Results: Sold-out conference. Connected thousands of US businesses to Chinese buyers and created understanding between the two markets.

2017: Policy Analysis Inc. — UI/UX Design Lead

UX/UI design of hēRo3 cloud based application enabling clinical researchers to develop efficacy models in ‘R’ faster than ever. hēRo3 offers model-builder and model-viewer interfaces and allows teams to collaborate, iterate and share results like never before. 

Results: PAI secured contracts with several pharmaceutical manufacturers to use hēRo3.

2016: EAST COAST CATALYST — ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

I was a creative catalyst for clients in F&B, healthcare and tech start-ups. My role
centered around UI and UX design for responsive web & web apps using Adobe Ps/Xd/Ai, building WordPress sites and extended to branding projects such as logo and collateral development.

2016: George P. Johnson — Art Director

GPJ is one of the oldest privately owned creative agencies in the world. They are the originators of auto-shows and are respected as a global leader in Experiential Marketing. I worked on the IBM account to create branded experiences for both externally hosted and proprietary events such as TED Talks, The US Open of Tennis and the World of Watson. Working with a team of creatives, I conceived, designed and oversaw production of thoughtful experiences to convey IBM’s product goals. Experiences ranged from small 20’x20′ booths to major conferences spanning entire Las Vegas conference centers.

2015–2016: GCP Applied Technologies — Sr. Manager Creative Services

In 2015, W.R. Grace was separating several divisions of the larger company into an entirely new Fortune® 500 company and brand — GCP Applied Technologies. In this hands-on Global Creative Director role my daily duties included developing and refining our design language, templates for collateral & marketing materials, social media strategy and e-mail design. I also worked to design trade shows, advertising, marketing strategy, collateral, packaging, videos, social & digital initiatives and office environments, to name a few. We implemented new systems for job tracking & accountability as well as the global automation of packaging creation/approval.

2014–2015: Rugged Races ­— Senior Designer

This Shark Tank/Marc Cuban-funded start-up owns and operates two adrenaline-sports event series which host around 40 major events annually across North America. I further developed the Rugged Maniac, Great Bull Run and Rugged Events brands establishing each as major players in their markets. Through increased Social Media recognition and greatly advanced brand visuals, I positioned the Rugged Maniac Obstacle Race (OCR) series as the premiere entry level OCR in the U.S. in just 6 months. Social media recognition — a major component of the marketing strategy — doubled following my branding implementation and subsequently dropped upon my departure.

2007–2014: The Boston Group — Senior Studio Designer/Studio Manager.

I maintained and advanced the brand integrity of multiple Fortune® 500 companies. Consistently proving value by solving difficult creative puzzles, often on tight budgets and time lines. Duties included development & stewardship of brand standards. Advertising, experiential, out-of-home & trade show design/production, branding (of anything), logo development and more. Oversight of department internship program. Oversight of studio processes and needs.

2007: Sundance/Newbridge Publishing — Graphic Designer

Cover to cover design and production of large catalogs. Design and production of marketing materials: IE. ads, direct mail and posters. Product photography as needed.

2006–2007: Kryptonite — Art Director/Senior Designer

Act as a one man creative department designing packaging lines (both domestic and international), took a 36 page catalog from concept to complete in one week while working on other projects. Worked with over-seas vendors to assure premium quality on all packaging and printed materials. Developed a job management system which increased both accountability, reliability and increased efficiency of the workflow.

2006: Bank of America — Graphic Designer

Design of print and web projects including direct mail, event materials, internal and external promotions. Designed a series of very successful high-impact direct mail pieces for premium line of the business.

2005: Marketing Drive World Wide — Graphic Designer

Designed trade show graphics, circular ads, inserts and more for Gillette, Oral-B, MobilExxon and the EPA. Production of a variety of circular ads (all pages sizes) for the Gillette companies.

2005: MetLife Auto & Home — Graphic Designer

Designed posters, brochures and other sales materials for the Auto and Home line of business. Worked with off site channel manager and on site art director bridging a unique work environment.

2005: Houghton Mifflin Publishing — Production Designer

Design and production of a variety of print projects including brochures, ads and more.

2004–2005: Hayes Martin Assoc. — Studio Designer/Media Specialist

Redesigned, revised and sized ad layouts to suit multiple formats and specifications. Acted as the primary contact for advertising jobs within the agency. Released 30–100+ ads every week. Ensured color accuracy of printed ads in news and magazines.

2002–2004: Original Design Co. — Designer & Illustrator

Created original art and designs for silk-screened and embroidered apparel. Developed catalog lines of customizable artwork. Became a master of trapping and color separation while creating artwork using up to 12 different spot-colors.

1999–Present: Stratton Mountain Resort — Freestyle ski Coach & Program Director

(Coach ‘99–’10; Program Director ‘10–’11; Head Coach ‘12, ’16) Competition coach and Program Director for the largest non-accademy freestyle skiing program in the U.S.. Manage 200+ athletes and 33± coaches, oversee and organize competition events, logistics & finances for 6± summer camps. Mentor athletes and aspiring coaches.

Achievements

  • UX & UI for insurance quote & bind application cut cost of acquisition nearly 50% and enabled actionable insights for agile iteration.

  • Created interactive customer journeys which enabled business to gain unprecedented insight into their digital products.

  • Successful re-brand launch of $1.5B global company (GCP Applied Tech.)

  • Created multiple corporate design guidelines (advertising, outdoor, email).

  • Development Coach of multiple US Olympic Ski Team athletes and a World Cup Champion 

Program Expertise

  • Abstract
  • Sketch
  • InVision
  • Axure RP
  • WordPress
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • MS Office suite

Capabilities

  • Responsive Web Design

  • UX & UI Design

  • User flows 

  • Wireframing

  • Service Blueprints

  • Design Systems

  • Advertising

  • Branding

  • Exhibition Design 

  • Omnichannel

  • Google Material Patterns

  • Mentoring

Personality

  • Friendly
  • Helpful
  • Compassionate
  • Problem solver
  • Adventurous
  • Witty
  • Team Player

Interests

  • Skiing
  • Motorcycles
  • 3D Printing
  • The Great Outdoors
  • Travel
  • Cooking

Education

Plymouth State University
Major: BFA — Graphic Design
Minor 1: Art History
Minor 2: Illustration
Cum Laude