Creative Direction
Web Startups
Experience Design
Cooking
Cycling

Hello,

I'm a Creative Director and Entrepreneur with 12 years' experience working with studios, international agencies and Internet startups. I launch start-ups and assume direct account lead to create design solutions for interactive, online services and brands.

Let's talk.

Matt Ludwig
Creative Director / Entrepreneur
Portland, ME
Palo Alto, CA
 
AIM/Skype: migdesigner
Mobile: +1 202 390 4501
 
 
View Comps Visit Site
BlipSnips.com
 
Role:
 
 
- Co-Founder
- Creative Direction
- Product Lead
- UX Design
 
I co-founded & launched this startup in 2009. The technology allows anyone to create a link to a specific point within video, write a comment, & share it. We expose that, enabling for the first time, organic search results inside video content. BlipSnips.com is a TechStars Boulder 2010 business.
 
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AdMeld.com
 
Role:
 
 
- UI Design Lead
- Technical Strategist
 
AdMeld.com hired me to design from scratch a new reporting dashboard product for their fantastic product. I worked with their internal team to design this product's interface.
 
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JCMG - Experiential Travel
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Product Lead
- UX Design
 
I joined this seed-stage startup code named 'JCMG' pre-funding to lead the UX process and design the entire interface of this group travel service. Highly immersive, this tool pulls data from users' social graph to support group luxury travel planning. Launch date TBD.
 
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Harvard School of Engineering
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- UX Design
 
Jazkarta approached me again about leading all UX and design, and help in the pitch for this great client. We used an Agile method all the way through even design, and delivered a very rich, contemporary, 'fresh Harvard' website they absolutely love. Even winning awards for it. Win!
 
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Bonobos.com
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Web Design
 
Bonobos and I worked on a series of promotional campaigns for their Spring 2009 line. Love these trousers.
 
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Maine Food Producers
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Web Design
 
Two things I love: food & non-profits. MaineFoodBiz.com came to me to launch their organization's web, identity, messaging, and membership tools. I created a full product catalogue and membership area showcasing Maine's great food products.
 
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Huston & Co.
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Web Design
 
This esteemed furniture builder asked for a complete overhaul of their online presence - the goal was to push the textural, big feel of their pieces. I art directed this site.
 
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Maine Medical Center
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Web Design
 
I was asked by Garrand to lead all Art Direction of this site, timed for the opening of the largest birthing center in the State.
 
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New England Wild Flower Society
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Product Lead
- UX Design
 
The New England Wild Flower Society came to me with a big task: create the first browser-based, multi-access Key capable of scaling to handle all flora species in North America.

Problem solved.

 
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Grand Victorian Luxury
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Web Design
 
I was asked by the ownership group of this premier beach front property group to art direct and complete a website for their flagship property. Grand Victorian Luxury Condos resulted.
 
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Girls Leadership Institute
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Web Design
 
The Girls Leadership Institute asked me to lead a complete corporate re-branding, site design, & online tools overhaul. All Brand direction, site design was my responsibility.
 
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Lollia Life
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Technical Director
- Web Design
 
This premier fragrance, bath, & home goods' brand asked me to overhaul their entire technical framework and redesign the online store experience to better meet their customer's habits.
 
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Preti Flaherty
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Web Design
 
A Portland, Maine long-standing law firm with a contemporary aesthetic; this is what I helped reinforce with the complete redesign of Preti.com. Working with the great agency Right Hat, I took the lead on design for this client.
 
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Tengion
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Web Design
 
I collaborated with APCO Worldwide again on a great project highlighting the regenerative medicine work Tengion has accomplished.
 
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Eastman Kodak Company
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
APCO Worldwide approached me to lead all creative on this new website for Kodak. The site was intended for a very wide user audience of all ages, attention and focus in the media. Following Kodak's rich brand guidelines, I art directed and designed all aspects of this through presentation and development.
 
View Comps
Metacafe.com & Comedy Central
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
 
Metacafe and I worked on these designs, which were used in strategic pitches with MTV directors intended to broaden their online audience. I art directed the complete project for the 3 distinct properties and also served as the lead user interface designer.
 
View Comps
ebay
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
With the Nuesance family collaborating on ideation and initial art directions for a completely new launch for the esteemed brand ebay, I art directed the screens of this new user experience and campaign. The concept was that of travel and everyone being a winner on ebay, a winner through exploration and bidding.
 
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Crowne Plaza Hotels
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
Working with TIG Global, I art directed the website for the newly-redesigned West Palm Beach location of this hotel chain. Palm Beach decor, modern fun, and accessible, fun Florida were the visual directions I brought to this design.
 
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Gortons Seafood
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
Rinck Advertising engaged me for art direction of this well-known American brand's website to launch in 2008. After an intense ideation and creative brief, we centered on the idea of storytelling and community interaction. I directed comps with a contemporary and smart nautical dress, allowing the product to shine. This site is currently under development.
 
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Metacafe.com
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
The social networking video site Metacafe approached me to art direct complete designs for the American Express pitch advertising partnership. I was lead creative in this role; all aspects and details of the project were my responsibility. Bold typography and experiential photography were elements used to promote participation in the community.
 
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Idexx Laboratories
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
I art directed and designed a completed software UI for the publicly-traded IDEXX along with ImageWorks. I helped art direct CADD-rendered models of a sample office, and I also orchestrated the entire user experience and graphical elements highlighting products and new service offerings within the IDEXX quiver.
 
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Reed Elsevier
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
The world's leading publisher asked APCO Worldwide to create a special micro-site for a campaign across the U.S. APCO in turn came to me to art direct and design the entire project. Access to reporting, background, and reach of influence tools were the focus of this user experience I created. The traditions of Dutch typography and grid were emphasized.
 
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Canadian Dept. of Labor
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
I was chosen to direct a completely new website for the Canadian government with APCO Worldwide for talent recruitment to serve various industries. Breaking away from the traditional design cues of their other sites, Canadian officials very much wanted a fun, informative, and contemporary approach to HR that I was able to deliver successfully.
 
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BlueWater Seafoods
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
Rinck Advertising's account for this Canadian seafood product's industry brand needed a fresh, experienced take on a current redesign in process. My work brought the feeling of experience and immersion in a product's source that is appreciated by Canadian consumers. Photography selections, product placement and promoting exploration were all my responsibilities.
 
View Comps
Formaggio Kitchen
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
I was brought in by Tugboat Creative to art direct the redesign of this Cambridge institution's online store. With a focus on bringing the joy of walking through the aisles to life on screen, heavy attention was spent on vibrant photography and bold typography for the user to 'wander' through.
 
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Tuscola Energy Alliance
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
My relationship with APCO Worldwide allowed me to lead all creative for this new website and initiative in renewable energy for a central Illinois town. I designed all aspects of this website along with art directing photography and type treatments for a contemporary, yet content-heavy issues site.
 
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Court of Cassation (France)
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
A great collaboration with APCO Worldwide led me to art direct this website for the highest court in France; Cour de Cassation. Website goals included informing the voting public of France on the issues of over-imprisonment within the French prison system. The site is designed for multilingual displays, with rich typography treatments and interactive tools. The site is currently under development.
 
View Comps
WTC Neighborhood Kiosk
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
Brought in by ImageWorks, I completed an experimental user experience in Kiosk design for the World Trade Center 7 neighborhood. A fully engaging touch-screen via camera triangulation was to be developed, allowing the general public to find entertainment and resources in the rebuilt neighborhood. All content was pulled live from the web including reviews, video, 3D building fly-through for way-finding, and contact info.
 
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Wagshals Market & Deli
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
All art direction and design for a complete new site for this legendary D.C. deli, market and catering business.
 
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Myrtle Beach Tourism
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
I worked with TIG Global under their creative direction on this redesign for Myrtle Beach Tourism. I art directed the overall site and chose to use the rich landscapes and beach culture imagery of the environment to animate the 'My Beach' theme of the campaign.
 
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Humana Healthcare UK
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
Working with APCO Worldwide in London, I art directed this fresh approach to the U.K. arm of the healthcare and wellness provider, Humana. Actual users' portraits, soft textures and an idea of growth were all design solutions I employed with this redesign.
 
View Comps
HEI Hotels & Resorts
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
TIG Global assigned me the redesign of international hotel management and staffing company, HEI. I brought forward the idea of making the website as humanistic, and localized as possible, while making the value proposition the true 'face' of its core; the people who greet their clientele each day.
 
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LXR Hotels International
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
I art directed comps for the redesign of this TIG Global account, LXR Hotels, and one of their Florida properties. Luxury, seclusion, and intimacy were attributes of the design- values the client wanted to promote and the qualities their patrons returned for at this hotel.
 
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E.U.- Food & Drink Industries
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
- Strategy
 
The regulatory arm of the E.U.'s Beverage and Food producers desired a micro-site for disseminating information surrounding healthy snacking habits for their youth. I art directed and designed this website working with both the London and Brussels offices of APCO Worldwide.
 
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Oxfam Canada
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
- Strategic
 
Working with the fine gentlemen at Jazkarta, this highly-regarded international nonprofit asked me to lead creative for the design and launch of their new web site and online presence... and do it all within 40 days. As the art director, the site was completed on schedule. The site has been lauded as a huge success across all divisions and is spawning talks of further engagements.
 
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Food & Water Watch
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
- Account Lead
- Technology Consultant
 
This international nonprofit asked me to direct all design and technical matters and help launch their new organization. I art directed, designed, and coordinated every aspect of its website, extranet, identity/branding, print, communication tools and even workflow behaviors. Since its launch, the website has received overwhelming applause and press.
 
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Y&R- GlaxoSmithKline
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Design
 
I was brought on the GSK account by Y&R agency RTC to lead art direction and design process for this product site redesign. Along with several other sites being wrapped into a larger information center for users, I completed this redesign along with comps for Nicorette and Way2Quit.com. I worked directly with the agency CD and interactive AD in ideation and brand positioning meetings along with the account manager to achieve final designs.
 
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National Poverty Law Center
 
Role:
 
 
- Creative Direction
- Initial Account Lead
- Technology Consultant
 
After being originally tapped to complete the entire redesign and development of this massive research site, I completed design comps for this exciting website along side Enfold Systems- whom I delivered this account to.
 
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ACLU
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Home Page UI
 
I was asked to redesign the homepage for the ACLU website. Under tight guidelines and requirements brief, I worked to re-align the various elements of this page to more appropriately reflect the current ACLU aesthetic. These were all done with a complete website redesign in mind.
 
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NeuCo, Inc.
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
 
This artificial intelligence software company out of Boston needed a complete web presence and re-branding. My agency was awarded the account where as Art Director and design lead, I directed all creative and strategy across all mediums and media outlets including website, email campaign, POS/tradeshow presentations, and corporate branding collateral.
 
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32north, Inc.
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Point of Purchase (POP) design
- Print Design
 
This wildly successful, Maine, winter product company needed to update their fast-growing seller for their dealers. I was asked by a Maine agency to design the POP display for this product. Working under the creative director, I art directed the piece and produced the design up through pre-press. This design featured in all EMS, LL Bean, and Mountain COOP locations nationwide where the product is sold.
 
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Windpath Sailing, Inc.
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Interactive Demo Design
- Print Design
 
A diverse outlet project including branding, website, tri-fold brochure, folders, online scheduling demo, and PDA-ported dynamic yacht scheduling application built in Flash. This luxury service brand based out of Greenwich, CT saw a resounding return in customer satisfaction after the launch of these communication tools.
 
View Comps
Brand Identity
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
 
These are various logomarks and corporate identity manuals I have completed. All logomarks were executed with complete collateral and branding requirements in mind.
 
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Joe Trek
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
 
An experience-based webumentry documenting a Guiness Record attempt for the longest inline skate around Australia. The site was updated remotely from the Outback by Joe himself. All design, information architecture and branding were my responsibility.
 
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Chris Craft California
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Pitch
 
Complete corporate launch of this regional luxury power boat manufacturer. My agency was agency of record where I completed corporate branding, website design, and photo selections for electronic media marketing. Site was integrated with parent corporate website for fluid brand experience and information updates.
 
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Chris Craft Italia
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Lead
 
After the success of the California arm of this brand, international auto group Qvale Motorworks selected me to complete the corporate launch of the Italian division of this luxury power boat manufacturer. My agency was agency of record where I completed corporate branding, website design, and photo selections for electronic media marketing. All site content was built atop a custom PHP/MySQL CMS.
 
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Posters
 
Role:
 
 
- Print Design
 
These are various posters I was responsible for designing and ensuring their pre-press set up. All posters were completed on either digital 4-color or offset applications.
 
View Comps
Bio Bio Expeditions
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
 
Complete website redesign comps for an international rafting and mountaineering guide service based out of the U.S. and Chile. These designs were formally submitted as pitch creative to the client as account lead.
 
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Double Dog Dare Ya
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
 
I directed the redesign of this luxury pet grooming salon's website through a dynamic HTML migration. All design, direction of photography and experience design were my responsibilities. Site includes live dog-cam feeds so you can watch your pooch get trimmed.
 
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AMLA
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Lead
 
I was the Art Director of record for this national non-profit's website redesign and re-branding effort. I directed a complete overhaul of this site including User Matrix/Discovery, IA, brand positioning strategy, site design and user experience mapping. The site was built atop a robust CMS and all aspects of design are 100% standards based along with 508 compliance.
 
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Campaign for America's Future
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
 
I was asked to design comps for a new campaign site for this client. Working alongside Free Range Studios, I was tasked with design direction and campaign branding for this news and policy-rich information site.
 
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Dalit Soliderity Project
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Lead
 
A labor of passion that has achieved international press and overwhelming support. The brainchild of a close friend, the aim of this site is to provide information for the international community regarding the socially abused and tortured situation of India's Dalit people and efforts they are making to secure rights equal to those of all other Indian citizens. The site is 100% dynamic built atop a custom PHP/MySQL CMS.
 
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George School
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Pitch
 
A complete re-launch of this highly regarded private boarding school in central Pennsylvania. As art director of record, I completed User Matrix/Discovery, IA, site design and user experience mapping. The site is 100% dynamic built atop a custom ASP/.NET content management system.
 
View Comps
Liberty Gloves, Inc.
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Account Pitch
 
Website redesign comps for this industrial glove and workman's product manufacturer. All design and illustration work completed as pitch creative to the client for review.
 
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SNA
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Pitch
 
I was asked to design the website for a new marketing strategy by Suburban Newspapers of America. I completed all design and creative branding direction for this news and testimony-driven information site. The site utilized FlashMX streaming video techniques.
 
View Comps
Salmon of the Americas
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
 
As part of the ongoing relationship I have with the agency APCO Worldwide, I was asked to art direct and design the re-launch of this nonprofit client's website. I completed all visual design and user experience for this campaign and policy site, which will ultimately be produced in both Spanish and English.
 
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Stefan Milenkovich
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Pitch
 
This world-renowned violinist and recording artist out of NYC needed a fresh website and brand strategy completed. As Art Director and design lead, I lead all creative and strategy across all mediums and media outlets including website, print campaign, and professional branding collateral. I worked directly with the client and H&R rep throughout the entire project. The site is 100% dynamic built atop a custom PHP/MySQL CMS.
 
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Welch/Person Maine Wedding
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
 
I completed the design and production of this website for a wedding being held Summer 2006 in Maine for close friends.
 
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PTDemocracy
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Lead
 
A region-based, information source for this nonprofit's areas of focus. I completed all design and IA along with photo direction for all communications. Working as account lead and art director, I oversaw all creative aspects of this project from start to finish.
 
View Comps
bps:technologies
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Lead
 
As Art Director for this boutique web development shop in D.C., I oversaw all creative and visual design for the company. This site design was based heavily on the concept of cinema and layers. While no longer online, the site was a rich-media experience of digital video and related content. All site content was built atop a custom PHP/MySQL CMS.
 
View Comps
Online App: Calendar
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- UI Design
 
A data-intensive online application for which I designed the UI. This was used by a staff of 20 people 24 hours a day for intensive global holiday mapping and trends predictions. All UI was continually developed over the course of 2 years.
 
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Online App: Geo-Mapping
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- UI Design
 
A rich, online, GPS-mapping application for which I designed the UI. This was used by a staff of 20 people 24 hours a day for intensive global holiday mapping and trends predictions. All UI was continually developed over the course of 2 years.
 
View Comps
Business Cards
 
Role:
 
 
- Design
- Pre-Press
 
These are various business cards I was responsible for designing and ensuring their pre-press set up. All cards are completed on either digital 4-color or offset applications.
 
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George Washington University
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Pre-Press
 
I art directed this poster series for a conference held at George Washington University in D.C. All illustration and photography reflect my work produced for the client.
 
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Climb Meru
 
Role:
 
 
- Website designer
- Senior Print Design
 
I was part of the fantastic design team at texture|media who created this award-winning site for Marmot and Gore Fabrics. I was lead designer for all QTVR, print, site production design, overall brand messaging, and community building efforts.
 
View Comps
inkNoise SXSW Program 1/2 page
 
Role:
 
 
- Design
- Pre-Press
 
A half-page print ad included in the official SXSW Festival program for the provider of a rich-media blogging service. I completed all design, illustration, and photo editing through the pre-press phase.
 
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Knockout Abuse Against Women
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Lead
 
Approached by the group directly, I was the Art Director of record for this regional nonprofit's website redesign and re-branding effort. I directed a complete overhaul of this site including User Matrix/Discovery, IA, brand positioning strategy, site design and user experience mapping. All aspects of design are 100% standards based along with 508 compliance.
 
View Comps Visit Web Site
Riva360
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Design
- Account Lead
 
This was a very large-scale endeavor to capture the breadth and experience of the vintage, Italian, wooden boat line Riva. Sponsored by a private party, the project included logomark and branding, website, DV shoots (helicopter and boat), launch parties/events, print invitations and magazine ads, along with press appearances of the luxury brand. The project was a unique series of opportunities to creatively display the memories and personal experience unique to these works of art.
 
View Comps
Illustrations
 
Role:
 
 
- Print Design
- Digital Illustrations
 
These are various illustrations I have done both for personal and commercial work. All illustrations were completed on either digital 4-color or offset applications, or used as static digital files for web applications.
 
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Lake Tahoe Concorse d' Elegance
 
Role:
 
 
- Art Direction
- Account Pitch
- Event Branding
 
This was creative completed for account pitch of this west coast luxury, vintage wooden motorboat show held annually in Lake Tahoe, CA. All design, illustration and photography are my own work completed for the client's reviewing agency.