Senior Designer

 

I have been in the design field for over a decade, and worked with a small Boston design firm before joining Barrett Communications in 1996. Over the years I have enjoyed serving as a judge for the MIMC Interactive Media Awards and as a Web design instructor at Mass College of Art.

 

BFA in Graphic Design, Carnegie Mellon University

 

Cisco Systems, Sentillion, Orthogon Systems, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Ellacoya Networks, and Amicore.

 

Being a designer is a great opportunity to indulge in intellectual diversity. As designers, our role involves learning a lot about a wide variety of new fields, technologies, and businesses. Each client is different, and each project is an opportunity to explore - not only in a visual way, but to explore new ideas and ways of thinking that are central to our client's business. It helps keep things fresh and allows me to bring a wide spectrum of experience to the table. I think that's what initially drew me to the profession. Where else can you learn so much about so many different things?

 

 

1. Listen. To the client, to your colleagues. Listen to what they say, but also read between the lines: customers, end-users, and clients themselves may not come right out and say what it is they need or what it is they're looking for.

 

2. Be flexible. In your approach and in your opinions. There's no such thing as the "perfect solution" - everything can be improved. Don't get too attached to your own ideas. Like famous New York advertising maven Jay Chiat, carry a little note around in your pocket that says, "Maybe he's right."

 

3. Be honest. Communicate directly and clearly about all components of a project. Make sure everyone's needs and expectations are voiced and understood. Openness helps the design process as well as the business process run smoothly every time.

I feed my dysfunctional pet bunny, read really nerdy books about cognitive science or sociology, and try to keep my wife from ordering everything she sees on infomercials.