I design in a fast-paced environment where details and clarity matter. I make complicated sign fabrication easy to understand. I ferret out the problems and find solutions, all while presenting my drawings with beauty in mind. My role involves meetings with clients, and close communication with project managers. I mentor and supervise a junior designer. My goal is to teach, to be efficient, and to always think of the next person who will use my drawings. Every drawing, whether simple or complex, needs to tell the story of how to make a sign. My job is to design so that no one has any questions; they can understand the sign and how to make it, and how it gets installed.

My role in VKK Signmakers was complex. I grew with this architectural sign company and developed many skills.• PROJECT MANAGEMENT: My goal is to always be responsive with clients, let them know that their project is important, keep them on budget, and help them meet their deadline. I genuinely care about each client. I work hard to find a solution if there is a problem. I collaborate with design firms, architects, and general contractors to make sure each project goes smoothly. I know when it is necessary to be firm and direct to get answers or results. I communicate well, have excellent follow-through and attention to detail. My people skills extend to my coworkers; I enjoy building relationships, having fun, and collaborating with them on ideas and fabrication solutions.• DESIGN: I worked closely with each client to develop sign designs that enhanced their space, and conveyed the message they wanted to express. Designs ranged from large format graphics, to wayfinding signs, to code compliant signs. I worked in scale, using Illustrator, Photoshop and CADtools. I was thorough in my knowledge of ADA and Title 24 code requirements. With design, I strive to make things beautiful, but also keep things organized.• TRAIN & MENTOR DESIGN TEAM: Additionally, it was my responsibility to train new designers at our company. I guided them on how to best illustrate complicated sign drawings. I helped them troubleshoot solutions to design problems and find them reference drawings. I reviewed drawings and made suggestions on how to improve the designs. I taught them how to set up production files for their drawings. I showed them how to name and organize their files within our design server. My goal was to help our designers elevate the quality of designs, be efficient and organized, and, importantly, have fun.

During the Great Recession, while VKK Signmakers struggled financially, I managed a team of designers at an architectural sign company. I scheduled design projects, reviewed shop drawings and suggested revisions. I worked with our clients to solve design problems and to determine drawing submittal timelines. When a project was in production, I checked in with the different fabrication departments to review the quality of our product, and to make sure the deadline was being met. I worked closely with project managers to make sure everyone was informed.

In my expanding role at VKK, I began project managing. I met with clients, architects, and general contractors. I performed site surveys and prepared estimates for clients. I coordinated timelines for drawing submittals, and for sign production. For many of the smaller projects, I continued to create shop drawings. For larger projects, I oversaw VKK designers as they prepared the drawings.A sign shop is a lively environment. Everything is deadline-driven, so communication is exceedingly important. I know from my coworkers that they are always happy when I'm managing a project they work on. They know that I will be thorough and get them the information and answers that they need. I will be there for them when problems arise, and will make the calls or decisions that result in solutions. To me, project management is really communication management; making sure to keep everyone informed and prepared.

When I began working at VKK Signmakers, I had a sharp learning curve. This was my first time learning to draw in scale using CADtools. While it was challenging, it was also exciting. I found that I had talent in making a drawing look nice, as well as clearly illustrating complicated sign construction. I enjoyed creating Photo Renderings depicting what the finished sign would look like on a building or space. I learned how to make Location Plans and program Message Schedules.Also new to me was production file setup for signs – so many signs! I realized that the key to good production setup was to stay very, very organized. I was surprised at how non-systematic the existing file naming and saving method was at VKK. I whipped that into shape and instituted an efficient system that is still used at VKK to this day.I began working one-on-one with clients, general contractors, and architects. The company owner saw that I was a good communicator, very organized, and I was promoted.

A silkscreen shop! Did I surprise you? I worked as a designer in the eclectic, fast-paced world of silkscreening. Everything was always a rush. Some projects were small and unique. Others were so large that everyone in the shop would pitch in till the wee hours loading t-shirts onto the press, and boxing up the order. One thing I really loved about this position was using my hand-drawn illustration skills. I was also inspired by the many original designs brought in by our clients. I enjoyed running the entire design department on my own. I developed well-organized systems for the department and computer files. I designed using Illustrator, CorelDraw and Photoshop. I became skilled at generating 4-color process artwork, and outputting designs onto film. I worked in the darkroom to burn the images onto emulsion-coated screens, then washed out the screens to prepare for our printer.