Objective-
To do meaningful work with highly creative problem solvers who realize design is a tool for innovative solutions. My skill set consists of exhibit design, product design, illustration, architecture, landscape, an intuitive knowledge for building, a passion for space, place and environment. I am striving to do more, life is short, let’s go!
Education-
2001-2003 Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Mi.
Degree: Master of Architecture
My Thesis Project consisted of Interactive Outdoor Spaces. My focus centered on the spatial characteristics of a moment. This investigation was expressed through mobile living walls, awkwardly misshapen chairs and swings that crossed paths that when timed with care by the people swinging to reflect the elements of a conversation, spatially.
1992-1996 College for Creative Studies, Detroit Mi.
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts Industrial Design
My studio Projects included a range of Furniture, Product, Exhibit projects. Much of my focus went towards furniture design and construction. The industrial Design students had access to a full metal shop and wood shop. Functioning full scale furniture pieces were required for each semester for the furniture studio. To round out my design exploration at CCS, I also had taken exhibit studio and product studio. I also was a part of the work study program as a metal Shop Technician. During the summer of 1995 I was accepted into the Simmons Graduate Internship Program with the internship focus being Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion House at the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Mi.. My main responsibilities included analyzing structural pieces and materials, deciphering mechanical drawings, visually recording prototype pieces and process through formal pen and ink drawings, and photography. The other interns and I presented our findings to the entire curatorial staff at the completion of the internship.
Professional Experience-
2022-current Fleurdetroit, Bloomfield Hills, Mi.
Title: Landscape Design Assistant.
My current responsibilities include scale site concept plans, perspective renderings, site photos and documentation, client communications, plant sourcing and concept design presentations to clients. I have also established a naming convention to be able to track architectural documents, our in-house design versions and other documents associated with each client file.
2018-2022 Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Title: Lead Exhibit Designer and Project manager for Health and Wellness Gallery (called All About YOU!).
I was responsible for exhibit concept ideation, development, design, prototyping, fabrication drawings, budget and timeline.
Title: Lead Designer and project manager for Engineering Gallery (called S.T.E.A.M. PARK). Here too, I was responsible for exhibit concept ideation, development, design, prototyping, fabrication drawings, budget and timeline.
2013-2018 Trader Joe’s
Title: Crew Store Artist.
I was responsible for creating store specific large-scale art and murals. I worked independently and collaboratively designing and executing for a multitude of existing and new stores.
2013 Wayne State University, Detroit, Mi.
Title: Furniture Studio Instructor.
I lead the University’s Furniture Design Studio Class, Fall 2012. This hybrid class is offered to both Industrial Design and Interior Design students. I created a custom syllabus and project parameters for the class. This semester long class consisted of a variety of projects which covered the basics of sketching styles and proper perspective drawing, simple model making techniques, furniture design challenges based of task of end user, ergonomics and visual inspiration.
2013- Freelance Projects, Mi.
Title: Designer.
I have engaged in a plethora of different design opportunities including garden landscape design and installation for private residential clients. Landscape illustration for Urbanscapes/Fleurdetroit. Yearly solo and group painting exhibitions. Homedics product concept development and design. Personal Care product development and design.
2004-2013 Arden Companies, Bingham Farms, Mi.
Title: Senior Industrial Designer.
At Arden Companies, I was lead designer for all new outdoor product development and design. I was responsible for conducting and utilizing consumer research, finding and presenting market trends, concept exploration and documentation, ideation and development, design, fabrication packets including drafted elevations with dimensions, renderings and finish samples, revisions, prototype review and finally customer presentation. The projects I worked on were all created for the mass market, big box store shopper. My contribution and knowledge of who the customer is and how to design towards this market them has been key in the growth and development of new business opportunities and continued success of the core categories for Adren Companies.
2000-2001 Detroit Science Center, Detroit, Mi.
Title: Exhibit Designer.
I came into this project during the last year of the center’s most recent renovation. As Lead Designer for the Sound and Light Gallery, I was responsible for the permanent exhibit featuring scientific visual and hands on examples of how sound and light waves work. This included concept ideation, development, sketching, design, and fabrication drawings.
1999-2000 Purplecowdesign, Arligton, Tx.
Title: Industrial Designer.
I was the sole designer for product and exhibit projects. This was a very small start-up design company created by a professor I had studied under at College for Creative Studies. The diverse product range consisted of household appliances such as blenders and irons. We also worked on exhibits for a local children’s museum as well as concepts for an outdoor water museum for Detroit. My responsibilities included product concept ideation and development, invention and function of design, sketching and prototyping.
1997-1999 Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills, Mi.
Title: Exhibit Designer.
Initially I was hired as a junior designer aiding and assisting in the development and fabrication of the first phase of the Institute’s expansion. I was promoted for the second phase of the Institute’s expansion to Lead Designer for a biology exhibit called Life Lab. My responsibilities included exhibition concept ideation and development, sketching, designing, prototyping, fabrication drawings and in-house fabrication for specific elements in the gallery.
Other Experience-
2023-current Ferndale Parks and Recreation Department, Ferndale , Mi.
Title: Volunteer Board Member.
I applied for and was brought onto the Parks and Recreation department in August. My interest in this department rises from my interest in my local community. Parks can be a central hub for the communities they reside in. Ferndale is a very walkable, engaged and diverse community with a multitude of parks that are all accessible within a 10 minute walk from all residences. I feel that parks can offer more than just a place to play. They are open air places to connect, engage and express oneself. Parks are also a valuable park of this community’s ecosystem and offer educational opportunities for the local community to explore and learn.
2013 Ferndale Downtown Development Authority, Ferndale , Mi.
Title: Design Member.
I contributed design ideas towards creating a more pedestrian friendly, walkable experience in the downtown Ferndale area and worked with the team on re-appropriating “dead spaces” into usable communal spaces.
2007 MSU Master Gardener , Mi.
Title: Student.
I was interested in learning more about all aspects of gardening and local ecosystems and sharing that knowledge with my local community. The program consists of a broad-spectrum overview of all things garden related, including design, native plants, beneficial insects and more.
Skills-
I am an enthusiastic problem solver who is well versed in drawing, drafting, sculpting, painting, metalwork, woodwork, sewing, model and mold making, communicating and presenting. I often work in a sketchbook for initial ideation, then depending on the project, I often go digital using programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and simple drafting programs such as Vectorworks.