The Basics
I am a Visual & User Experience Designer. I started my career in print, designing marketing materials. I transitioned into interface and user experience design learning hands on at a start-up. I have a Bachelors of Science in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and recently earned a Masters of Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University.
The Fun Stuff
My love of comic books and making things drove me to become a Designer. Some of my Comic Book influences include Jack Kirby, David Mack, and Art Spiegelman. Also, I believe Scott McCloud's book Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art should be required reading for young designers.
I served on the Board of Directors for the Pittsburgh Chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design, for six years. I loved serving the design and creative communities. It provided me with the opportunity to make new connections, receive guidance, and eventually provide guidance.
Creative Briefs is a podcast that I created and co-host. My co-host and I high talk to people doing creative things about their projects, influences, and inspirations. Through the podcast, I've made great friends and found inspiration in unsuspected places. Unfortunately, it became too much to produce the while finishing my Masters and working full time. So it's currently on hiatus.