As a design practitioner, I strive to create with purpose and intent, to embody empathy and curiosity, and to be an eternal and humble student of design. For the foundation of these principles, I make it a point to weave joy into the fabric of my practice.
I place high value on close collaboration with teammates and the study and implementation of human-centered design techniques. While employing those techniques, I enjoy playing Sherlock to discover who the most important users of a product are and then building solutions to help them achieve their goals and better their lives.
I began my design education at Grand Valley State University where I double-majored in Graphic Design and Illustration. Upon completion of my undergrad degrees, I traveled to and lived in Italy for a year where I received a Master's Certificate in Graphic Design from the Florence Design Academy. I've continued my studies through KCAD, coLearning, Cooper University, and more.
My professional career has included turns at an event and exhibit design company, an international non-profit, as a freelance designer and illustrator, at a media production group, a product design shop, and finally Atomic.
I also enjoy staying active in the Grand Rapids design community as a board member of AIGA West Michigan and Director of Design for Good, a co-founder of Ladies That UX GR, and a member of IxDA. On weekends I can be found experimenting in the kitchen, making music, or embarking on Michigan adventures with family and friends.
Honoree, 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan Award | Grand Rapids Business Journal, 2016
Design Briefs: Innovation for Kids | Organizer & Co-Host, 2016
Design Briefs: Diversity In Technology | Organizer & Co-Host, 2016
Nominee, Excellence in Design Leadership | Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence (GRAPE), 2015
Weekend Blitz | Co-Lead Organizer, 2014-Present
Design for Good | Director, 2015-Present
Ladies That UX Grand Rapids | Co-Founder, Member 2014–Present
IxDA Grand Rapids | Member 2012–Present
AIGA West Michigan | Member 2013–Present
2015 Bronze Addy Award (for Jetboil Cooking Systems) | American Advertising Federation of West Michigan
2014 W3 Award, General Website Consumer Good Category (for Jetboil Cooking Systems) | Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts
2014 WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Web Development (for Directbuy) | The Web Marketing Association
2014 WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Web Development (for Jetboil Cooking Systems) | The Web Marketing Association
2012 American Graphic Design Award for Single Source Solutions Promotion (for Display Pack) | Graphic Design USA
Product Management + User Experience ConferenceA | ttendee 2016
How To Draw Quick, Useful Sketches with Lane Halley | Attendee 2016
AIGA Leadership Retreat | Attendee 2015
TEDxGrandRapids | Attendee 2011–2015
Midwest UX | Attendee 2013
Build Responsively Conference | Attendee 2012