As a creative studio, I’ve helped creative communicators and purpose-driven organizations tell their stories — from brand identities, logos, packaging and products to custom lettering and illustration.
The Outloud Group — Rebranding
SCOPE: Creative Direction / Branding / Design / Booth Design / Stationary
The Outloud Group is an agile and forward-thinking influencer marketing agency in Detroit, MI. This rebrand needed to position their agency in the marketplace with greater boldness as well as grant them enough room to grow in the myriad directions that their creative strategies could take them. The company was renamed during the process, and the branding carries a strong, neutral backdrop to highlight the vibrant brands and influencers they work with.
The Outloud Group —
Sub-Brands
SCOPE: Creative Direction / Branding / Design
After the rebranding, as the company continued to grow, I also designed a couple of brand identities for the team’s sub-brands. Each needed to tuck up nicely under the brand umbrella, but still be a riff off the primary branding.
HoMedics Outdoor Massage Packaging
SCOPE: Branding / Art Direction / Model Casting / Design / Packaging / Retouching
I branded the outdoor massage product lineup during my time at HoMedics. I wanted this packaging to feel outdoorsy, but also comfortable and relational — by keeping the models underdone and natural and capturing them in conversation and relaxed moments. The end result was a comprehensive relaxation story woven through large in-use product photography, spa-related images and outdoor textures.
HMDX Sprocket
SCOPE: Branding / Packaging / Design
The Sprocket is a portable speaker intended to add a little whimsy and sound into a workspace or bedroom. The product palette and shape was shimmery and playful and I aimed for the branding and packaging to communicate this too — lighthearted and fun tech.
Bunny Books — Branding
SCOPE: Creative Direction / Art Direction / Branding / Design
I launched an independent publishing company with the creation of my debut title as an author/illustrator. Bunny Books exists to create stories that spark wonder, laughter, and great conversations between kids and adults. And, I wanted the branding to convey that optimism and fervor for literacy. Also, as a designer, I wanted these books to be ones that kids, of all ages, reach for again and again. So, great care was taken to create a book that was both breathtaking to look at and equally gratifying to hold onto. Excitingly, both the book and Bunny Books (as a publishing company) received national gold medal awards as well as starred trade reviews.
PowerMat Launch
SCOPE: Design / Booth Design / Signage
While at HoMedics, I was part of the team that worked to launch the PowerMat brand at the Consumer Electronics Show. While I did not establish the branding itself, this is an example of how I translate pre-existing brand standards for both 2D and 3D applications. I steered these projects from the initial pitch of concepts through final print production.
Sharper Image
Sales Asset Catalog
SCOPE: Design
While the Sharper Image branding was already pre-established, this is a good example of how I aim to create solid hierarchy and way-finding design in information-dense publications.
HOW I WORK
Great design is personal. I invest time in getting to know the clients I collaborate with — to learn what makes them tick and what they’re passionate about. I’m convinced that understanding each person and organization and what they bring into the world is as important as learning about their market and audience. I think this approach gives my work depth, warmth and meaning.
Great design is the result of great process. My process is both a combination of tried-and-true steps and knowing where to give myself space for less-conventional, Doc-Brown-style inventiveness. It navigates me through every design project I set out to tackle — from a single t-shirt to a full brand. The process itself inspires me, keeps me on track and helps to guard me, and my client pals, from unexpected surprises.
SERVICES
I cater primarily to creative communicators and purpose-driven organizations, but I also serve a range of independent clients. While my creative process provides clarity and stability to my work, I can go nuts pretty quickly if I get stuck on one hamster wheel. So, I keep it interesting around here by churning out a variety of design deliverables:
Brand Identity Development
Logo Design
Custom Lettering + Illustration
Print + Packaging Design
Apparel + Merch Design
MAKING MARKS
I specialize in creating and refreshing brands, and logo work is the hub of the wheel. It’s amazing how even tweaking and nuancing established marks can improve both legibility and relevancy. Here's a sampling of logos and icons (both original and brand refreshes) that I have created — solid in black and white — and dynamic when brought to life in color.
