I lead unusual projects in emerging spaces on behalf of ambitious people. Early Mammal is a hybrid design studio that works with startups, VC's and thought leaders to research, shape, prototype and communicate big ideas and remarkable experiences. Our most common role is early concept definition and futures visualization to engage partners and secure funding. Before Early Mammal I contracted as an external creative director for two food and beverage venture groups, one a pilot program within the M+A team of a Fortune 50 company, the other a privately funded VC and incubation group run by the former CEO of a $125B brand. For more than a decade prior to that I co-founded and ran a boutique Chicago design agency focused on packaging and brand development for CPGs. Vessel contributed to design and innovation programs for brands including Coca-Cola, Heinz, Kimberly Clark, Kotex, Amway, ACCO Brands, Thule, and Pepsico. I set aside as much time as possible for illustration, both functional concept visualization as well as more impulsive and personal work. I've lectured on digital design and concept visualization methods, co-created an illustrated design commentary blog for Core77, and been a guest contributor for illustration content to Gizmodo and Jalopnik. My side projects have appeared in ReadyMade, Apartment Therapy, The Dieline, FastCo Create and Under Consideration. In my remaining time I have a number of exploratory side projects working in illustration, architectural assembly, physical spaces, object design and constructive play.