Background

I am design lead at Harvard University’s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, where I’m responsible for the design and art direction for Harvard Online course development.

I was previously design director and co-founder at RED Partners a studio specializing in branding and advertising campaigns for clients like the Apollo Theater, HBO, HP Inc., and the NFL. Before RED Partners I worked as a designer for NYC2012: New York’s Olympic bid; Russell Design Associates, a New York firm specializing in branding and environmental graphics; and Modem Media San Francisco, a digital advertising agency. In addition to these roles, I have taught typography and portfolio design in the undergraduate program at the School of Visual Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Work Experience

2023–Current
Harvard University
Design lead
Responsible for the visual design and art direction for Harvard Online. Leading the visual identity development at a course level, and refining a cohesive brand expression across platforms. Art direction of visual assets including illustration, design, and animation. Collaborating with marketing on a range of public facing projects.

2006–2022
Red Partners
Co-founder, design director
Responsible for creative direction of design team, hiring, client presentations, new business proposals, project scheduling and management. Portfolio includes a range of environmental, print, and digital design projects for Abrams Books, American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), Apollo Theater, Channel Thirteen/WNET, Chase Bank Community Giving, CNN, HP Inc., Smithsonian Books, and others

2005–2006
Russell Design Associates, New York City
Senior designer
Led print and branding projects for a range of corporate and nonprofit clients, managed schedules, worked directly with clients, and art directed photo shoots. Clients included Alliance for Downtown New York, Credit Suisse, and Safe Horizon

2004–2005
Freelance designer at:
NYC2012 (New York’s 2012 Olympic Bid)
Brand Integration Group, Ogilvy & Mather, New York City
SpotCo, New York City

2000–2001
Modulant Solutions, San Francisco
Senior designer
Developed corporate branding and marketing materials for VC-funded technology startup specializing in network interoperability. Reported directly to the chief marketing officer

1997–2000
Modem Media/vivid studios, San Francisco
(boutique design agency, acquired by Digitas)
Visual designer
Led visual and interaction design on web site development projects at this first generation digital design and advertising company. Worked in close-knit teams with information designers and programmers. Clients included Nike, Bank of America, Lazard, and the Webby Awards

Teaching

2021–2023
School of Visual Arts, New York City
Adjunct faculty
Typography 1 & 2 for the undergraduate program. Created course curriculum and developed content for online instruction on Canvas, including instructional videos and presentations

2014–2015
School of Visual Arts, New York City
Adjunct faculty
Developed class concept and curriculum and taught portfolio class for the online design degree program

2010–2014
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City
Adjunct faculty
Taught typography and advanced portfolio design in the undergraduate communications program

Education

School of Visual Arts
M.F.A. Design
Thesis adviser: Milton Glaser
Paola Rhodes Award, exceptional thesis

Savannah College of Art and Design
M.A. Illustration

Boston University
B.A. English literature major, art history minor
Magna cum laude

Awards & Exhibitions

AIGA Poster Show, Atlanta GA–2017, 2018, 2019
Image of the Studio design exhibition at Copper Union, 2013
Certificate of Typographic Excellence, Type Directors Club, 2013
FPO Awards, 2013
CMYK Design Awards, 2012
Certificate of Typographic Excellence, Type Directors Club, 2012
Certificate of Typographic Excellence, Type Directors Club, 2011
AIGA Design Annual for design excellence 2008

Memberships & Board Positions

AIGA Maine Board Member, 2021–present
American Institute of Graphic Arts
Type Directors Club

Publications

Design Firms Open for Business, Steven Heller and Lita Talarico
The Language of Graphic Design, Richard Poulin
Becoming a Graphic Designer, Steven Heller
Type Sketchbooks, Steven Heller & Louise Fili
Baseline Magazine, authored article “Conscientious Scrawl”
Step InSide Design Magazine, student profile

Guest Reviewing & Presentations

SVA Portfolio Review, 2021, 2022
Maine Connectivity Authority, board presentation, 2022
SCAD Guest Speaker, Atlanta, GA, 2022
National Football League Speaker, New York NY, 2014
Brookyn Youth Chorus, board presentation, 2012
Two Twelve Design, NY, 2010