One User’s Experience
EDUCATION
Carnegie Mellon University
I earned a BFA in communication design, a minor in creative writing, and graduated with university & college honors. I was on the Dean’s List for all semesters, received the School of Design Merit Award and Landesberg Prize in Graphic Design.
Glasgow School of Art
I studied abroad in Scotland in the advanced graphics program, focusing on motion graphics and textiles.
Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts
I was accepted into this select state program as a junior in high school and studied graphic design and drama.
SKILLS
User Experience Design
Visual Design
Branding & Identity Design
Illustration & Infographics Design
Sprint Facilitation
UX Research & User Testing
Event Branding
Environmental Design & Signage
INTERESTS
Podcast Producing
On-air Interviewing
2D Animation
Jingle Writing
WORK EXPERIENCE
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative — Staff Designer ongoing since July 2020
I’m designing a new emotional wellness product for students called Along.
Independent Design Consultant 2016-2020
I worked with both big companies (Google, BlackRock, Bloomberg) and growing start-ups (Collective Health, OMGyes, & Impossible Projects) to create user-centered, branded solutions. My main client for the majority of my freelance years was Google's Design Relations Team. I branded internal initiatives, designed an external resource for design sprint facilitators, and helped to plan, brand, and facilitate design events.
MasterClass — Designer & First Employee 2013-2016
As the company’s first employee, I worked directly with the co-founders to design and launch MasterClass as a world-class product and education destination. I created the product's visual language, the company’s brand identity and site structure. I also helped to create the first batch of classes and to build and mentor a vibrant team.
Snapguide — Visual Designer & Product Manager 2013
I worked closely with Snapguide's CEO to structure quarterly roadmaps, project schedules, and design reviews, including the launch of their iOS7 app, which was featured in the App Store during iOS7's launch. I also improved the product's mobile web, desktop web and iPhone app.
YouTube — Visual Designer 2010 to 2013
I led design on YouTube’s first visual language redesign. I started as the sole designer on the project—conducting brand research, visual explorations, and establishing the building blocks for the visual system. As the team grew, I also took on project-management tasks, created an implementation plan, and composed the company-wide style guide. After launch, I focused on the holistic user experience of account creation and on-boarding.
Mule Design — Senior Visual Designer 2008 to 2010
I led projects and worked directly with clients on a variety of projects included Mint, Six Apart, The Financial Times, and The Applied Research Center.
Cooper — Visual Interface Designer 2006 to 2008
I designed visual interfaces from concept to pixel-completion for clients, including Motorola, Dolby, Dymo, and Cigna, using the goal-directed design methods. I also designed infographics and layout for the book, About Face 3.
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS
Love Jerks — Singer & Designer (2015 - ongoing)
Collaborating with my bandmate, I write and perform songs, create music videos, and sometimes write rock operas. I also design all the band’s collateral and visualizations for our live performances. We have been mentioned in The New York Times, Alternative Press, andEntertainment Tonight.
Advice from Mom — Producer & Host (2016-2019)
I produced and hosted a mental health podcast with my psychologist-mother. Our show was featured as “new and noteworthy” on Apple Podcasts, on NPR's The Big Listen, and reviewed on Constant Listener. I also coordinated and interviewed all of our show’s guests, including couples therapist Esther Perel, activist Dolores Huerta, and Bloomberg TV’s Emily Chang.
The Disposable Film Festival — Art Director (2007-2013)
I designed the identity and visual system for the organization, refreshing it yearly for screenings around the world. I oversaw other designers and was part of the content selection process.