Former bartender, photographer, delivery driver, student, and dropout.
I've done a lot of things in my path to becoming a designer. I didn't grow up knowing I wanted to be a designer or an artist. I stumbled into this work. But over the past decade, I've learned what it takes to make great digital products. I grew from a photographer to a graphic design student, and from web design I learned UX and UI. And I drew upon all of those past experiences to inform how I design.
Teaching myself along the way, I've had the opportunity to work for startups, agencies, and big tech companies. Along the way, I've designed for a wide variety of clients: nutrition apps, fitness gurus, nuclear hydraulics technicians, and data security engineers just to name a few.
Experience
Across a decade of experience, I've worked with many different clients and employers.
Since January 2019
I am the principle designer for the offsite data tools for advertising with Facebook, like the pixel. I am focused on making the next generation of advertising tech easy for all to use.
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Crema
December 2015 - January 2019
I designed for small startups and large companies at this Kansas City based product design agency.
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Code Koalas
August 2013 - December 2015
Working as a web designer for this drupal shop's many clients, I also lead the design of their bespoke CMS platform for YMCAs around the country.
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Omnibox TV
August 2013 - May 2015
Designing the packaging, marketing collateral, website, and other materials, and running research sessions for this internet TV startup.
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Briefcase
October 2012 - August 2013
Designing for students and recent grads looking for their next part-time job, a lucrative internship, or their first job out of school.
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Foliomatch
May 2012 - October 2012
Helping high school and college students show off their educational and extra curricular portfolio through a social media platform.
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Education
Graphic Design A.A.
Art Institutes International - KC
2012 - 2015
Self Education
2010 - 2012
Art Institutes International - Minnesota
2009 - 2010
Metropolitan Community College
2008 - 2009
University of Central Missouri
2007 - 2008
Side Hustles
Midwestern Originals
Building a design agency on the side.
What started as a way for a designer and a few developers to have some fun on the side has grown into a vehicle for continued learning, exploring new ideas, and working with interesting clients. We've been able to help non-profits reach more people, train up freelancers learning the industry, and explore other creative outlets like apparel design and videography.
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KC Cocktail Club
Turning a hobby into a sold out show.
I started bartending in college. When I started designing full time, I missed being behind the bar slinging drinks. Instead of going back to that, I started teaching my friends how to make their own drinks. And then their friends. Before I knew it, I was teaching the city how to drink.
Case Study Coming Soon
Conference & Writings
My Miseducation
One thing I’ve learned through my career is that you don’t grow by doing what you know, you grow by doing new things. I’ve always been a fan of the motto: “always be improving”. I’ve taken to that and created an archive of my writings, the conferences I’ve been to, and the places and people online that continue to inspire me to this day.
Writings
Failing fast, failing often
Adapted from a commencement speech I gave to my alma mater in 2016. I shared about how we can learn from our failures and figure out what we should be doing.
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How to Win Over Engineers and Influence Your Product Teams
Being a designer on a cross-functional team can be stressful. The power dynamics at play coupled with the pressures of doing your job well can leave a designer feeling like they can’t contribute. There’s a better way.
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Product Growth vs Marketing Growth
Growing a product is important, but you won’t do it right if you aren’t aware of the different ways to grow a product. Do you invest in functionality or sell what you already have? My learnings from attempting this at Facebook.
Article Coming Soon
A Bit About Me
A collection of facts about me.
I am getting my pilot's license.
Ever since my introductory lesson in 2018, I've been looking forward to flying again. I spend a lot of hours in simulators and in the near future, I'll be beginning my flight training. I can't wait to get up there again.
I'm from the Midwest
Growing up in Minnesota and Missouri has left an indelible mark on me. I've been grateful to work with so many people from so many different places and while I love living in Seattle, a part of me will always be in the midwest. It's one of the reasons I named my company Midwestern Originals.
I've had a lot of odd jobs
It's become a joke among my friends, "one time when I worked as a...". I spent 2 hours as a Sandwich Specialist at Subway. I laid stone for a masonry company one winter. I was a delivery driver for a few years. I was even a bartender, part of the reason I started Kansas City Cocktail Club. Gas station attendant, security at a theme park, the list goes on and on..
I'm renovating a house
My partner and I recently purchase our first home. We found the perfect place in our favorite Seattle neighborhood and we're updating it. We've already completed the front third of the house and are working on our kitchen/living room next. Follow @pacificnorthwestbymidwest on Instagram for more.
I design because I want to find enjoyable solutions to everyday problems.
