Resume | Curriculum Vitae

​​​​​​​Educational Background

Master of Fine Arts in Communication Design (2017)

Thesis, “The Comic Book Agenda: Altering Perceptions and Attitudes Towards LGBTQIA+ People Through Graphic Narratives”

Bachelor of Science in Advertising (2008)

Texas State University (08/17–05/18)

Texas State University (08/15–05/17)

Texas State University (08/14–05/15)

Drawn This Way, LLC.  |  Austin, TX  (04/14–Current)

Co-own and operate a design studio that provides branding, advertising, design, illustration, and other creative services to clients, specializing in non-profit and start-up ventures.

lookthinkmake, LLC.  |  Austin, TX  (10/10–10/13)

From a team of four employees (including principals), helped grow company to a full-service agency of 26, led a creative team of designers, copywriters, and interactive designers on branding/advertising projects for local, national, and international clients (e.g., Bedsider.org, The Austonian, Sharp Propane, Geometrica, and others).

DTDigital / BADJAR Ogilvy  |  Melbourne, AUS  (04/09–10/09)

One-half of a creative team that worked on digital solutions (e.g., websites, online advertisements, apps, etc.) for brands like BMW, Myer, AAMI, and Australia’s bid for the 2014 World Cup.

Senior Capstone 

Texas State University (Fall 2017, Fall 2016)

This is a capstone class designed to aid students in refining and expanding their design portfolio as preparation to join the workforce. The class also serves as an open forum to discuss the industry’s future, ethics, utilizing design thinking in the larger world outside of design, and many other questions that young designers have before they graduate.

Texas State University (Fall 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2015)

This mid-level class is an introduction to Art Direction and creative thinking through the lens of advertising and conceptual strategy. Lessons include the structure of advertising agencies, group dynamics and working in a team, creative messaging, psychology, creative writing, brand, strategies for different media, industry standards and trends, and a strong emphasis on presentation.

Texas State University (Spring 2017, Fall 2016)

This course is an introduction to interaction design via web design, HTML+CSS, and user-centered design. Emphasis is placed on user experience (UX), best practices for web and web standards, user testing, iterative prototyping, use of the grid, web typography, user flow, site architecture, learnability and discoverability, visual mapping, and organizational systems

Concept Strategies 

Texas State University (Spring 2017, Spring 2016)

This foundational course focuses on conceptual thinking techniques and strategy-based problem solving. Lessons include the various forms and uses of design, utilization of design thinking principles in everyday life, brainstorming/problem-solving techniques, giving and receiving constructive criticism, and human-centered design ideology.

Texas State University (Fall 2015)

This course is an introduction to composition and communication through visual means with an emphasis on honing and utilizing hand skills. The students are taught lessons in the use of positive/negative space, type as form, utilization of imagery/photography as design elements, and grid systems as a means to communicate concepts or ideas.

Texas State University (Fall 2015)

Restructured the scope of both interactive classes’ curriculum with other interactive professors, with a focus on implementing teaching more UX and prototyping earlier in the coursework. Alongside the lead Interactive professor, created a new schedule, lesson plan, project guidelines, and exercise briefs.

Invited to talk to a Diversity class in the school of Social Science about queer perspectives and lived experiences, as well as my research on altering attitudes and perceptions towards the LGBTQIA+ community.

Fresh2Design is a monthly gathering of design-related professionals in Austin, TX. I was invited to speak about my experiences as a queer designer alongside several other design professionals.

“Talk Math to Me” is a math seminar hosted within the math department emphasizing the intersectionality and influence of math in other subjects, as well as their influence on math. Regular attendance is around 80+ students, professors, and graduate students. This talk discussed how to apply design thinking principles in mathematics and the sciences.

This talk discussed the intersections of math and design through design principles of composition, rhythm, hierarchy, and others.

Invited to speak about Art Direction in the context of advertising to an Introduction to Advertising class of 20 students by professor Ryan Romero.

This book was created in collaboration with artist Joey Fauerso over the fall of 2016 as a limited edition (100) reproduction and extension of her exhibit, Pretend This is a Trap. I created the concept of the book and designed the layout. Production was overseen by the press.

Pretend This is a Trap Artist Book

PRINT Regional Annual 2012 

Texas State Galleries  |  Group  |  Juried Competition  |  Local

Texas State Campus  |  Group  |  Juried Competition  |  National

Texas State Galleries  |  Group Exhibition/Book Launch  |  Class Project

With oversight by acclaimed book and publication designer Maru Calva from Mexico City, worked in a team with undergraduate students to create a publication that utilized the Risograph to accompany an upcoming exhibition for the Texas State University Galleries.

Worked with internationally renowned type designer Jan Tomas from Prague
on experimentation with typographic form. As a team of 10 designers (plus Jan Tomas), created a video exploring typographic form, dimensionality, motion, color, and sound.

$1,500/semester

$1,000

Member (2014–Current)

Judge (Spring 2017)

Judge (2016)

Judge (2011)

Volunteer (2014–Current)

Board Member (Brand Director) and League Director

Graduate House (2014–2015)