RESUME
MISSION
STATEMENT
I am an experienced Creative Director with a demonstrated history of collaborating on award-winning and best-selling books. As an arts and design professional I have proven skills in managing creative teams.
I am happiest encouraging new designers and illustrators through my work and lectures in schools and trade organizations.
EDUCATION
PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Communication Design
WORK
EXPERIENCE
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
Disney Hyperion
Creative Director, present
Senior Manager, Design, December 2013 to December 2017
Manager, Design, May 2009 to December 2013
• Collaborate with Editorial Director and editorial team on picture books illustrated fiction and graphic novel acquisitions, original and Disney franchise IP project development and staff development.
• Art direct and design jackets and interiors of original trade and IP picture books, middle grade and young adult novels and graphic novels.
• Supervise 7 person design staff and freelance designers, illustrators, letterers and compositors on 20-30 titles per list, 3 seasons per year
• Work with illustrators and agents from contract negotiation, schedule, concept sketch to finished art.
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
Clarion Books
Creative Director, November 2007 to December 2008
Art Director, August 1998 to November 2007
• Consult publisher on acquisitions, publishing program and staff development
• Art direct and design jackets and interiors of picture books, storybooks, young adult novels, photographic and illustrated non-fiction books
• Supervise two-person design staff, freelance designers and illustrators
RANDOM HOUSE, LLC
Alfred A. Knopf and Crown Books for Young Readers
Associate Art Director, April 1996 to August 1998
• Art direct and design jackets and interiors of picture books, storybooks, young adult novels, photo-essays
• Supervise junior members of the design staff
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
Disney Press and Hyperion Books for Children
Senior Designer, October 1992 to April 1996
Designer, February 1991 to October 1992
Computer Proficiency
Adobe Creative Suite
Microsoft Office
Keynote
ACADEMIC
EXPERIENCE
PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Adjunct professor, June 2008 to September 2012
Introduction to Graphic Design
Editorial Design, Online
LECTURES/
PANELS
Greenwich Academy, Book Design and Influence 2024
Elements of Great Book Jacket Design, 2013, 2014
FanfaireNYC, High School of Art & Design, Faculty, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024
SCBWI Kansas/Missouri, Middle of the Map Conference, Faculty, Breaking In: Creating the Dream Illustration Portfolio and Making Connections 2023
SCBWI New England, Agent Editor Day for Art and Picture books 2021
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Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Art Directors Day,
Faculty May 2017
Savannah College Art and Design, Atlanta,
Children’s Illustration Now, January 2017
Tompkins Square Middle School, Book Jacket Design 2016, 2017
Maryland Institute College of Art, So You Want to Be an Illustrator?, 2013
Illustrating for Children, 2015
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SCBWI New Jersey, Faculty/Panel, 2012
Disney Animation Studio, Pixar Animation Studio,
Creating Your First Picture book 2011
Picture book Inspiration, 2012
SCBWI San Francisco, Illustrator Day,
The Art Director/Illustrator Relationship, 2011
The Neighborhood School, Who Designs Books Covers?, 2009
Nonfiction Book Design, 2011
SCBWI SoCal, Illustrator Day, Breaking Into Children’s Books, 2008
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Illustrating for Children, 2004
SCBWI Indiana, Illustrator’s Day,
What Makes a Great Picture book?, 2002
Picture book Structure, The Visual Climax, 2012
SCBWI Maryland, Faculty, 2001
SCBWI Pennsylvania: East, Faculty, 2000, 2009
SCBWI New York: Eastern Upstate, First Look Panel, 2000
Manorhaven Elementary School, What is Book Design?, 2000, 2002
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JURIES
The Original Art Show, Molly Idle, Chair, Juror, 2023
SCBWI Annual Winter Conference, Portfolio Prize, Juror, 2015
Danforth Art(formerly Danforth Museum), Picture This!, Juror, 2013
Pixar Animation, Pixar Showcase, Juror, 2013
The Original Art Founders Award, Juror, 2011
SCBWI Annual Winter Conference New York, Art Show, Juror, 2010
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