Plays well with others.*
About Me
I am currently Senior Digital Designer at Rivers Agency, and an OOUX Certified Strategist. I have over two decades of experience in UX design, UI design, front-end development, project management, and business ownership. As a generalist in the field, I freely slide between design, code, strategy, and management.
No matter the project, I stand by the timeless principle that design without intention is simply decoration. Thoughtful design is in the details. Because of this, I thrive when wading through the occasionally choppy waters of process development and system implementation. I am passionate about bringing clarity to complexity and order to chaos. Ultimately, my goal as a designer is to create an accessible, flexible, and consistent experience for everyone using the product.
Experience
January 2017 - January 2023Lead ux/ui designer
Status Forward, Inc. - Asheville, North Carolina
Status Forward is an SEO, branding, and web design agency working with outdoor brands and organizations that promote, play in, and protect the natural world.
- Perform research, strategize content, and establish information architecture for online projects
- Create user flows, wireframes, design mockups, and prototypes to effectively conceptualize websites that map back to the client’s business goals and audience
- Contribute to the front-end development of website builds, working closely with the back-end development team
- Design on-brand email campaigns
- Design print collateral, including annual reports, newsletters, and ads for publication
- Manage projects, client communication, and keep projects on schedule
July 2013 - January 2017
Partner & co-founder
Open Door Design Studio (ODDS) – Asheville, North Carolina
ODDS is a brand agency specializing in identity design, packaging, websites and print collateral.
- Creative lead and front-end development for all digital projects
- Art direction and supporting design for branding and print design projects
- Project and account management of all clients
- Social media engagement and community outreach
- Business administration and bookkeeping
March 2005 – July 2013
Design Consultant
Marisa Falcigno Design
- Design and develop websites for non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and small business owners
- Collaborate with other design agencies, providing designs or code in support of their client projects
- Work closely with clients on branding projects
- Management of contract designers and developers
- Email campaign design
July 2002 – March 2005
User Interface Designer
AT&T Inc. – New Haven, Connecticut
- Design, front-end development, and web application support for the Online Billing Organization
- User experience design of the first online billing application, allowing customers to view and pay their bills online
March 2000 – July 2002
Art Director
NRG Networks, Inc. – Cheshire, Connecticut
- Visual design and front-end development of client websites
- Print design for internal marketing channels
January 2000 – May 2000
Web Design Intern
Mcgraw-Hill Publishing Company – Guilford, Connecticut
- Convert print publications into online user interfaces
June 1999 – January 2000
Graphic Designer
New Haven Register Company – New Haven, Connecticut
- Design of print ads for weekly newspaper publications
Skills
Tools: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Figma, Sketch, WordPress, Craft, Webflow, Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Mailchimp, Whimsical, Trello, Flowmapp, Bitbucket
Capabilities: OOUX & ORCA Methodology, User Experience Design, User Interface Design, HTML, CSS, WordPress Theming, Email Campaign Design
Management: Teamwork, Slack, Basecamp, Quickbooks, Harvest
Eager to invest more time with: Notion, Javascript
Education
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, Connecticut
Bachelor of Science, May 2000
Studio Arts, Graphic Design
Magna Cum Laude
Recognition
Online Press
Unmatched Style – REEB Ranch Website, 2016, Lead
Unmatched Style – The Kent Building Website, 2015, Lead
Identity Designed – WordCamp Asheville Branding, 2015
Unmatched Style – Haywood Community College Art Program Website, 2014, Lead
For Print Only – Aeneas Venture Partners Collateral, 2014
Packaging of the World - TJO Bees Packaging Design, 2014
The Dieline – Sweet Farm Sauerkraut Packaging Design, 2014
Design Boom – Reinventing the Toilet Challenge, 2014
Print Publications
Print Regional Design Annual, 2015
Uneven Growth Exhibition Catalog, Museum of Modern Art, 2014
Communication Arts Design Annual, 2014
Awards
ADDY Gold, 2015
ADDY Special Judges Mention, 2015
Volunteer
WordCamp Asheville 2016 - Event Volunteer
WordCamp Asheville 2015 - Design Team
Penland Community Day - 2009
Speaking
Professional Practices Panel, University of Georgia, January, 2015
Professional Practices Lecture, AB Tech, 2014
Design Panel, WordCamp Asheville June 2014
Professional Practices Lecture, University of Florida, March 2013
*So, says my 3rd-grade report card! ;)