My KPI :
Keep People
Inspired
Image caption: Accepting 3 awards from the city of LA for a hackathon I co-created, aimed at making cities more accessible to people with disabilities.
In my book, humans must always come first. This extends past my design approach, into how I collaborate with clients and motivate my team. Among other projects, I have co-created a speaker event, a hackathon and a crowd-funding project aimed at solving problems for people with disabilities. Although I have won numerous awards, I remain driven by the desire to inspire and shape the human experience for the better.
Below are principles I have honed over the years. They’re my Jedi code.
My
Principles
Tell a
great story
Get your
hands dirty
Leave it
better than
you found it
Help harness
happiness
A famous scientific study found that we're 22 times more likely to remember something when it's told in a story. It makes sense. After all, humans have been telling stories since the beginning of time, to give meaning to the unknown. To understand where we came from. Stories are built into us. They bring us together, make us feel alive, and inspire us to take action.
The way to ensure a successful product is to put in the work, every single day. It helps to also use the best tools. I use design thinking to understand an audience and identify their aspirations. I use rapid prototyping to find and resolve potential issues early in the process. I use analytics insights and user feedback to inform product updates. And I always look for innovative ideas not outlined in the brief, because they have the potential to grab people’s attention and produce exceptional results.
I’m a human-centric creative. Understanding people and improving the world are important to me. I use design thinking to empathize with an audience, to find authentic solutions, and to create better solutions. I hosted and MC’d Global Accessibility Day, co-created a hackathon aimed at creating a more accessible LA, and helped make a device to give autistic kids the power to communicate. I also contributed to a best-selling book called Legacy in the Making: Building a Long-Term Brand to Stand Out in a Short-Term World.
Why are Finns the happiest people on Earth? In large part, because they have a strong social support system among friends, freedom to make life choices, a great healthcare system, and an absence of corruption. Its economy consistently ranks in the top 10 in the world. I want that for me. And I want it for my team too. I target happiness every day by listening when people talk, by fostering self-initiative, by encouraging a good work-life balance, by practicing gratefulness, and by being an absolute clown - when appropriate, of course.
Fun
Facts
My weekend camper doubles as my office.
I’m a contributor to a best-selling ad industry book: Legacy in the Making.
Maurice LaMarche once gave me a private performance of his Pinky and the Brain voices!
Sci-fi, Fantasy and Horror are my frequented Netflix categories.
I’m a huge fan of Patagonia and its commitment to planet Earth.
My
Resume
Specializations
Clients
Experience
Recognition
Speaking,
mentoring,
& judging
Education
Creative Direction & Strategy
Product Design
Interaction & Experience Design
Client Management & Collaboration
Rapid Prototyping & Testing
Campaign & Pitch Work
Building & Mentoring Cross-Disciplinary Teams
Honda
Disney
Amazon
Lexus
2K Games
Adobe
MTV
Sony Pictures
They Might Be Giants
SquareSpace
Associate Creative Director
RPA - LA / 2018 - Now
Building, leading and inspiring high-performing interdisciplinary teams to positively impact people’s lives, through the Honda website. Honda website design, testing and maintenance. Team motivator. Active member of agency mentor program.
Founder, Creative Director
Strong. Current. - LA / Now
Partnering with startups and design shops to design websites, apps, and brand identities for clients in NYC, LA and Silicon Valley.
Senior Art Director
Team One - LA / 2013 - 2018
Lexus web design, testing and maintenance. Team organizer and motivator. Web, application, watch app, and VR designer. Director and photographer selection. TV spot direction and set design. Mentoring and speaking to students.
Senior Art Director
AOL Time Warner NYC, The Chopping Block NYC, BBDO NYC, Ignited LA, Famous Group LA / 2005 - 2013
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Cannes Lions
IAC Award
Webby Award
Car & Driver: Most Improved Experience
Business Awards from the City of LA
T1 Launch an Idea Award / Agency Recognition
T1 Endeavor Award / Agency Recognition
RPA Aces Award / Peer Recognition
Awwwards. Site of the Day
FWA of the month
Hosted Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2016
Speaker at design schools in the LA area
Speaker at AIGA of Orlando
Visual Design Program at Jacksonville University
Judge of Kansas City Addys
Active mentor at RPA Agency
Communication Arts 2012
Manager Bootcamp / Cecilia Gorman Management Coach
Front End Web Development / General Assembly
Design Thinker Course / IDEO U
Bachelor of Art / Graphic Design / University of Florida