Summary

A results-driven leader who builds successful brand strategies across multiple channels. Proficient in product design and development, UX/UI strategy, brand cohesion, content development and multi-disciplinary teams collaboration.

Core Competencies

• Leverages both collaborative and leadership competencies to transform concepts and goals into results
• Able to scope, strategize and execute diverse projects
• Experience developing and influencing successful cross-discipline team collaborations and functions
• Process and resource efficient

Skills/Knowledge

• Creative Direction + Design Systems
• Product + Product Suite Design
• Product Launch
• UX/UI Design Strategy
• Responsive Design + Mobile UX
• Omnichannel Journeys + CX
• Service Design + Blueprinting
• HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) Design Thinking
• Content Development + Strategy
• Sketch, Invision, Axure, Jira
• Wordpress

Experience

Product Design Lead
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Evanston, IL | Jan. 2016 – present

• Design execution of large-scale K-12 digital products with a rich spectrum of components and integrations for student, teacher and parent users.
• Leadership of diverse team members (FTEs, contractors) and vendor partners across global locations and time zones.
• Lead, motivate and mentor teams in user-centered design, providing strategic direction and guidance in best methods and practices. 
• Brand ambassador and lead for presentations, creative briefs, wireframe prototypes, user flows and visual designs.
• Collaborate extensively with key Stakeholders, Engineers, Developers, Product Owners, Content Delivery, Editors and Marketing & Sales Executives to provide outstanding product delivery.

Principal Creative
Andresen Design
Chicagoland, IL | 2013 – 2016

• Cultivated digital designs, brand presence and marketing strategies for small businesses.
• Web design and development
• Business strategy
• Content Creation
• Multi-Channel Cohesive Design Solutions

Design Director
Sg2
Skokie, IL | 2005 to 2013

• Built and led an agile creative team for Sg2 start-up; expanded the team for business growth and continued to enhance creative operations throughout maturation of the business and innovation of its products.
• Provided creative leadership and product design, branding of corporate communications, marketing collateral, digital products, programs and event collateral. Collaborated with Sales and Marketing on messaging strategies to achieve business goals.
• Produced and enhanced complex information to maximize usability for content delivery across a variety of channels.
• Hired, retained and developed staff including measuring and guiding growth and performance; managed schedules and resources for both standard and peak workflow.
• Created processes, systems and tracking tools to ensure smooth workflow and meet business needs for marketing and sales collateral deliverables, digital content publishing, product design launches, client event materials, and visualizing educational materials. and analytics.
• Responsible for vendor procurement and management, standards compliance, quality and cost control.

Vice President of Production Design
Health Newsletters Direct (now StayWell)
Evanston, IL | 2002 to 2004

• Developed and led product design and production operations for B2C magazines and newsletters (digital and print). Initiated cost containment strategies and provided financial reporting and analysis.
• Recruited, trained and managed permanent and freelance graphic designers, digital designers and production staff to ensure quality creative work and technical output excellence.
• Assigned accounts and managed work schedules across available team resources. Restructured design and production teams as needed to accommodate changes in accounts and continuous growth.
• Accountable for product design client satisfaction (per client surveys), quality control and on-time/on-budget execution.
• Developed systems and procedures to enhance workflow and productivity while maintaining quality standards and high client satisfaction ratings.

Also at Health Newsletters Direct:

Design Director | 1999 to 2002
• Hired, trained and developed product design and production staff. Responsible for team output of highly custom designs as well as syndicated design systems (digital and print) for diverse clients including 20 high-revenue priority clients.
• Developed quality, efficiency and cost savings measures with vendors, including the creation of custom templates for easier and more cost efficient combining of press runs.
• Worked closely with Sales and Marketing to understand and meet client needs.
• Functioned as product co-owner for new products/ new clients and high priority clients. 

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art
Clark University

Graduate Studies and Teaching Assistant
School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Awards/Honors

• Graduated from Clark University magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with High Honors in Studio Art
• Harris I. Cohen award to a Visual and Performing Arts senior, Clark University
• Alumni and Friends Scholarship, Clark University
• George and Isabella Brown Scholarship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• Company Pride Award, London House