Experience

Lettering Works

• United States
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Designer + Owner

  • Jun 2016 - Present

  • Empower artists, makers, and business owners to get the attention they deserve through compelling custom visuals, full brand identity development, and strategic creativity. • Connect brands to their audiences through custom artwork that represents their values and fits seamlessly into the lifestyles of their target customers. • Promote positivity and community pride through designing and developing high quality art products. These art products are sold in local gift shops around Peoria and Chicago, including the Peoria International Airport, Wrigleyville Sports, and the Field Museum, as well as online at letteringworks.com. • Partner with larger advertising agencies to execute their lettering-specific needs on large scale campaigns. • Help corporate companies and universities boost internal morale through custom designed murals that showcase their organizational values and build pride across their community. • Collaborate with local partners through “Lettering Works for a Cause” to regularly give back to the community and provide essential design resources to important causes around topics of shopping locally, social justice, chronic illness, advocating for adults with disabilities, and more. • Educate the community on lettering basics, the power of passion projects, and branding through a variety of in-person and virtual workshops, including speaking at business and art conferences. • Inspire and engage my online community through regularly scheduled social media content and thought leadership. • Ideate and execute creative passion projects to attract ideal clients and garner support for causes I care about. • Share knowledge through two self-published books: “Just my Type of Lettering” and “100 Days of Peoria” To get in touch about a new project: letteringworks.com/contact Show less



Freelance Designer

• United States
• Design Services

• Graphic Designer & Lettering Artist

  • Aug 2014 - Present

  • Create a variety of custom designs ranging from promotional materials to t-shirt designs to illustrated quotes to branded campaigns and logo designs • Create a variety of custom designs ranging from promotional materials to t-shirt designs to illustrated quotes to branded campaigns and logo designs



Aisle Rocket Studios

• Design Intern

  • Jun 2015 - Aug 2015

  • Provided day-to-day support to the UX-Design team • Created designs for Kenmore, Whirlpool, Amana, & Gladiator as well as internal projects • Provided support in refreshing Amana.com which included developing website layouts adhering to updated brand guidelines and making design and copy edits • Concepted, developed, and presented a branded Kenmore campaign that utilized a hand lettered style/aesthetic • Created hand lettered titles and illustrations for Kenmore's August 2015 Email Newsletter • Hand lettered and illustrated a set of greeting cards as part of a post-purchase experience package • Developed custom hand lettered versions of agency credo words and encouraging phrases for the office shoutout board • Assisted with point-of-purchase marketing mock-ups • Conducted competitive analysis store visits, photographed in-store POP, and provided insight to in-store experiences Show less



Blu Sky Creative, Inc

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Design Intern

  • Jun 2015 - Aug 2015

  • Provided support to the creative director and designers • Designed and developed logo concepts for Gavel International and Luci & Virtú • Responsible for the design of several internal creative projects including holiday social media posts, an agency t-shirt design, and an agency holiday card • Provided support to the creative director and designers • Designed and developed logo concepts for Gavel International and Luci & Virtú • Responsible for the design of several internal creative projects including holiday social media posts, an agency t-shirt design, and an agency holiday card



Smith Career Center at Bradley University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Design & Marketing Intern

  • Aug 2013 - Dec 2014

  • Responsible for rebranding all student communications and establishing consistency across all design pieces • Designed promotional materials such as flyers, TV monitor designs, and social media promotions for semester events including Career and Job Fairs, preparation workshops, and networking events • Updated branding of iRegistered internship registration program, campaign to reflect the branding goals and strategies of the newly rebranded student communications • Updated the design of Bradley University's First Destination Study to include inforgraphics and an overall clearer presentation of relevant statistics • Developed consistent branding for all promotional and conference materials for the ILCEIA Conference hosted at Bradley in Spring 2014 • Provided marketing strategy suggestions from a student perspective • Worked fall and spring Job and Internship Fairs helping employers load in and out of the event, directing students to relevant employers, and answering questions throughout the events Show less



ACBU (Activities Council of Bradley University)

• Graphic Designer

  • Jan 2013 - Dec 2014

  • Designed bold and informative event posters to increase student participation in campus events• Designed additional marketing materials for events including social media promotional images, TV monitor designs, flyers, and t-shirts• Rebranded the entire organization through development of a new logo and successful implementation of the new brand to general promotional materials• Developed a unique semester long campaign promoting a full semester line-up of events through oversized schedule posters, dorm door magnets, and t-shirts for ACBU members to wear days of events• Developed and executed branding and marketing for The Fray, Plain White T's, and The Orwells concert during Spring 2014 including posters, flyers, TV monitor designs, buttons, t-shirts, napkin dispenser flyers, and social media promotions• Created posters and marketing materials for Bo Burnham Comedy Show and Wiz Khalifa Fall Concert during Fall 2014• Represented ACBU at two national and two regional National Association for Campus Activities conferences to watch showcases, book up and coming artists, and brainstorm and share marketing ideas with schools across the Midwest region and across the nation• Presented on Movie Program Branding at the regional National Association for Campus Activities conference in Covington, KY in November 2014 Show less

• Major Concerts Coordinator

  • Jan 2014 - May 2014

  • One of three student coordinators responsible for executing a $150,000+ concert• Responsibilities included reviewing and selecting artists, working with middle agent to negotiate offers and artist prices, developing strategic marketing plans for both campus and the surrounding community, and monitoring tickets sales• Additional responsibilities as a graphic designer for the concert included designing all promotional materials ranging from event posters to flyers and t-shirts to social media promotions• I was the student coordinator responsible for all hospitality tasks including shopping for items requested by the bands, preparing their dressing rooms, and managing day-of concert tasks including directing runners and other event staff and responding to various requests of the band managers Show less

• Marketing Coordinator

  • Jan 2013 - Dec 2013

  • Developed and executed innovative marketing strategies for semester events• Consulted and worked with event coordinators to develop effective marketing plans• Provided support working Activities Council events including concerts, comedy events, and special events• Brainstormed and exchanged marketing ideas and strategies with different schools at both the regional and national National Association of Campus Activities conferences



Custom Personalization Solutions

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Design Intern

  • May 2014 - Aug 2014

  • Created custom hand lettering for various personalized items including pet, holiday, teacher, and home product categories which are currently sold online at PersonalizedPlanet.com • Applied designs to blank product images using Actions in Photoshop and masking tools in InDesign • Optimized images for web use as part of Personalized Planet's website launch • Produced a catalog for Limogés' Personalized Jewelry to be distributed in Walmart stores for easy ordering • Assisted in various design tasks and marketing research for Personalized Planet, PBS Kids Shop, Ty's Toy Box, and Limogés Jewelry Show less



niche, LLC a marketing & photography studio

• Hand Lettering Design

  • Jun 2012 - May 2014

  • Created custom hand lettering for various card designs for addiction and recovery sold online at DirtyLaundryDesigns.com • Created a Pinterest page to promote card designs and a healthy, happy lifestyle • Created custom hand lettering for various card designs for addiction and recovery sold online at DirtyLaundryDesigns.com • Created a Pinterest page to promote card designs and a healthy, happy lifestyle

• Design & Marketing Intern

  • May 2013 - Aug 2013

  • Worked with a copywriter, art director, creative director, and account manager to design weekly promotional web banners for Kenmore • Developed internal communications including welcome bags for new employees and the company rebranding launch party • Assisted in preparation of mockups for internal and client reviews • Managed stock of office and client supplies • Coordinated interviews, client lunches, and the use of the conference rooms throughout the office • Answered the phone and welcomed guests while working in the reception area • Assisted the Operations Director with monthly billing Show less

• Marketing Intern

  • Jul 2012 - Aug 2012

  • Shadowed graphic designers working on both print and digital designs • Kept constant stock of office supplies and prepared the office for client meetings and lunches • Provided support to Operations team with monthly billing and the development of a comprehensive operations manual • Answered the company phone, transferred calls, took messages, and welcomed guests to the office • Collected potential client leads from Fortune 500 companies • Produced internal company rebranding solutions and worked with designers to brainstorm and revise ideas Show less



Lake Barrington Academy of Stars

• Teacher's Assistant

  • Jan 2012 - Aug 2012

  • Facilitated classroom activities for children aged 2-6 • Improved overall organization of the daycare • Maintained a safe learning environment • Responsible for daily closing tasks including disinfecting and cleaning all classrooms • Facilitated classroom activities for children aged 2-6 • Improved overall organization of the daycare • Maintained a safe learning environment • Responsible for daily closing tasks including disinfecting and cleaning all classrooms