My story...

I grew up in the Northwest spending my middle and high-school years in the thriving metropolis of Shelton, WA. (o.k. so maybe 7,000 doesn’t count as “thriving” but it was home). After graduating high-school, I graduated UTI in Phoenix, AZ with an Associates degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design, and headed back home.

I began my career in packaging design working for a cutting die shop in Tumwater, and eventually moved to structural packaging design for a packaging company in Fife. While in Fife, I saw an opportunity to expand my skills into the graphic and web design realm by supporting the sales staff with sales materials as well as my technical drawings. I was soon creating product catalogs, brochures and fliers as well as building and maintaining the corporate website. My time at work was filled with opportunity to learn and implement new design skills, and my free time was spent with my nose in books or going over online tutorials.

After almost three years at the packaging company, I was confident enough in my skills to try my hand at freelance work full-time. I launched Cypher Designs in July of 2000. I supported the business and my new wife by designing websites and brochures for small companies and supplying a local casino with a monthly newsletter and posters. I operated Cypher Designs for 2 years when an opportunity presented itself to me in my home town of Shelton.

The opportunity was at Sims Vibration Laboratory. They were looking for a way to bring a design department in-house in order to cut printing and design costs from local design firms. I was hired at SVL in July of 2002. The job was a big one. I would be responsible for concept and creation of all product catalogs, brochures, trade booth graphics, fliers and packaging for this multi-million dollar company. I would also be expected to create and maintain a large corporate website used to inform and promote the product lines.

It was a resounding success. I took up photography in order to facilitate the entire needs of the company. I was able to raise the quality of SVL’s marketing materials while at the same time saving SVL well over $100,000.00 from the previous year. I worked directly under the marketing director and owner, and coordinated with the research and development teams to conceptualize and design new ad campaigns. I was responsible for communicating with our printer, magazine publishers, spokesmen, sales force and web hosts to ensure a smooth transition from concept to production of our materials.

I am extremely proud of my accomplishments at SVL. In my three years of employment I have designed and launched 8 full product catalogs, designed and maintained packaging for over 130 SKUs, designed and maintained an 80+ page corporate website, designed well over 100 magazine ads published internationally in 40+ show, trade, and consumer magazines, created three seasons of trade booth graphics, and made a lot of friends.

My wife, my 16 month old son, and myself have just relocated to the Seattle area from olympia. We're very excited to explore the new opportunities the city can bring. I have a burning passion for what I do, and we’re looking forward to this new adventure.