Accomplished, versatile Design Director and Experiential Environmental Architectural Spatial Designer with solid success directing and leading a broad range of innovative design projects, from conception through installation. Over 21 years experience in Architecture, Interior, Scenic, Retail, Events and Industrial Design specializing in hospitality, exhibit and retail branded environments that concentrate the consumer experience that merge the Physical with the Digital. Over the course of my career, I have amassed a diverse range of creative artisanal and technological capabilities that include space planning, technical direction, industrial design, digital fabrication, architectural drafting, 3D modeling, rendering visualization, graphic/motion design, stagecraft and creative technology.
Contract Experiential Creative Director, SPRING STUDIOS; NYC — DEC 2022 - FEB 2023
Freelance Experiential Designer, CSM Sport and Entertainment; NYC — JAN 2023 - CURRENT
Contract Designer, LA MODE EN IMAGES; NYC — SEPT 2022 - DEC 2022
Designing high end experiential displays for Louis Vuitton X Kusuma collaboration for US retail stores including overall vision, production and technical details.
Contract Sr. 3DVM Designer, AQUENT FOR APPLE; REMOTE — FEB 2021 - SEPT 2022
Develop and improve designs, through an iterative process, to meet objectives on projects that span architecture, interior design, industrial design, communications and experience design.
Work closely and collaboratively with a team of designers to execute against project briefs and assigned tasks.
Work closely with industrial design, product development/engineering and production teams.
Produce design development and/or intent packages for production and fabrication.
Regularly review creative work with the team’s senior creative staff to get feedback on direction and ensure alignment with other activities in the group.
Participate in presentations or meetings as appropriate.
Contract Sr. Experiential Architectural Designer, MOFE; NYC, NY — MARCH 2020 - FEB. 2021
Design all architectural and industrial elements for Museum of Future Experiences’ “white glove VR flagship theatre and space due to open in Summer 2021 in Williamsburg, NY.
Roles include Senior Art Direction and Senior Designer for furniture, fixtures, screen housing and lighting to define space’s brand experience.
Oversee and all organizational creative tasks and host weekly meetings that include a multi-disciplinary team including architects, lighting designers and directors.
Freelance Architectural Designer, HUSH; NYC, NY — OCT. 2020 - NOV. 2020
Collaborate with creative tech team to design a 10,000 Sq ft. Facebook showroom to highlight new technology for corporate office visits.
Draw and model 2D/3D scenic elements, fixtures, screen housings and customer journey.
Contract Sr. Architectural Designer, WHEREABOUT; REMOTE — JUNE 2020 - SPET. 2020
Redesign and improve customer journey of Lowe’s Garden Centers.
Collaborate with creative strategists and redesign a 20,000 Sq ft Lowes’ Garden Center to improve the retail experience, BOPIS and design modern fixtures to replace existing.
Design a 15,000 sq. ft concept flagship garden center for Scott’s Miracle Gro.
Freelance Sr. Experiential Designer, the THE PROJECTS; NYC, NY — FEB. 2020 - MARCH 2020
Design and draw 2D/3D 5,000 sq. ft. Pop-up store for JLO x DSW launch.
Freelance Sr. Experiential Designer, HANGAR FOUR; NYC, NY — JAN. 2020 - JAN. 2020
Design and draw 2D and 3D elements for experiential influencer events for Keihl’s and L’Oréal.
Sr. Experiential Designer, CODE & THEORY; NYC, NY — OCT 2018 - DEC 2019
Leverage new technologies and prototype designs that connect the interactive gap between the physical and digital world.
Develop innovative experiential retail AR/VR activations for a global sports brand.
Collaborate with strategists, visual designers, motion designers, creative technologists and developers for branded immersive environments.
Consider user research and client feedback to create environments through user-centered POV.
Create 3D animations, AR, VR, Virtual Spaces, CAD elevation/floorplans, 3D renderings, and draft scenic build/design construction plans.
Freelance Sr. VM Designer, STUART WEITZMAN; NYC, NY — JULY 2018 - OCT 2018
Synthesize feedback from CVM and Studio Pepe on new retail store concepts and create sketches, moodboards and models for presentations.
Concept, strategize and model In-Store Experiences that tell a complete a narrative for the customer journey.
Design Props for Global Campaigns and create VM presentation toolkits for global stores.
Create CAD floorplans, 3D renderings, and draft scenic build/design fabrication plans.
Freelance Technical Designer, MATTE PROJECTS; NYC, NY — AUGUST 2018
Create technical architectural 3D drawings, models and renderings for Fashion Week Brand activations.
Freelance Creative Lead, TH PRODUCTIONS; NYC, NY — SPRING 2018
Lead creative design of large experiential projects from idea to completion by translating a concept into a three dimensional space.
Liaise with Directors to guide design strategies, spacial planning and identify appropriate technology solutions for projects
Work with fabrication and production teams to bring a three dimensional space to life within budget parameters.
Freelance Sr. VM and Exhibition Designer, SHOWFIELDS; NYC, NY — SPRING 2018
Liaise with clients and owners to create and proposed on-brand, highly stylized installation concepts for flagship store.
Collaborated with artist and artisans’ work in experiential branded environment retail displays.
Associate Creative Director, BMF; NYC, NY — JUNE 2017 - APRIL 2018
Ideate conceptual designs for RFP’s and incoming projects.
Created CAD floorplans, 3D renderings, and drafted scenic build/design construction plans.
Mentored design teams, attend site visits, oversee installs, and post production meetings.
Brand collaborations include Lexus, Toyota, WNW, Dell, RxArt, etc.
Freelance Architectural Designer, ROCKWELL GROUP; NYC, NY — 2016-2017
Conceptualize and model furniture and interior decor solutions for NYC Restaurant Vandal.
Design, model and oversee installation for the DIFFA.
Freelance Lead Scenic Designer, BUREAU BETAK; NYC, NY — 2013 - 2017
Collaborate with Bureau Betak Production Team to design several runway shows scenic.
Established design standards, specifying of materials, and client samples.
Lead installation, quality control and projects from start to end.
Brand collaborations include Max Mara, Lacoste, Coach, Dior, etc.
Director of Special Projects, OVANDO; NYC, NY — 2014 MAY 2017
Generated conceptual designs for client projects that lead to winning over 7mil annual sales.
Created CAD floorplans, 3D renderings, and drafted scenic build/design construction plans.
Developed client/brand relationships and speared collaborations that include McQueen, Kate, Spade, Tiffany’s, etc.
Creative Director, FELT ETC.; NYC, NY — 2004 - 2014
Founded creative design/build studio with 1mil annual sales.
Specialized in experiential environments for high-profile events, exhibits and window displays.
Brand collaborations include Victoria’s Secret, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, etc
Art Director, UTOWA COSMETICS; NYC, NY — 2003 - 2004
Establish a store style and narrative for visual merchandising.
Art directed and stylized props for photo-shoots to communicate brand’s philosophy.
Lead Designer/Production Manager, FLORALIA DECORATORS; NYC, NY — 2000 - 2003
Design and fabricate branded custom decor for events, displays and celebrity galas.
Managed all freelancers and contractors on site.
Sourced prop, furniture, and decor rentals.
Education
University of Southern California, LA, CA — BA Visual Anthropology, 1997
NYU, Tisch School at Arts, NY, NY — ITP CAMP, 2018
School of the Visual Arts, NY, NY — Continuing Education, Digital Fabrication and Rhino, 2017
Vectorworks, Columbia, Maryland — CAD Training Certification, 2015
NYU, Tisch School at Arts, NY, NY — Continuing Education Sound Design, 2002
Skills
COMPUTER: Expert knowledge of Vectorworks, Cinema 4D and Octane, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, V-RAY, Keyshot and Sketch-up. Proficient in Unity, AutoCad, Rhino, After Effects, Premiere, Unity. Able to translate concept sketches to 3D renderings.
2D: Knowledge in illustrating design concepts for internal development and client presentation, including hand sketches, technical drawings, elevations, and renderings. Knowledge of various print media and graphic substrates. Able to format graphics into production-ready files.
3D: Highly trained in botanical, landscape and furniture design. Skilled in industrial design, set carpentry, stagecraft, model making, electrical, prototyping and prop production. Professional installation and rigging knowledge.