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Hey there!

I’m a designer and creative director born and raised in not so sunny Ohio.

I create things that go beyond just looking nice.

WORK
Catalog Design

Urban Barnwood

This catalog blends clean, modern design aesthetics with the rustic elegance of Urban Barnwood’s handcrafted, reclaimed hardwood furniture. The minimalist layout and crisp typography serve as a refined backdrop, allowing the warmth and texture of each unique piece to stand out—highlighting the striking contrast between contemporary design and timeless craftsmanship.
Product UI

KeyBank MyKey Chatbot

Revamping an outdated UI was crucial during the bank's transition to a more robust chatbot. Aligning the UI with the enhanced functionality was paramount. I played a key role in this process by designing screens in Figma and constructing elements and components for the prototypes. This meticulous approach was essential in effectively presenting and selling the new design to stakeholders.
Art Direction

Leadership Akron

A captivating direct mail piece extending an invitation to potential participants to join Leadership Akron's Civic Solutions Lab—a groundbreaking pilot program that challenges leaders with diverse backgrounds to collaboratively delve into specific community needs and drive positive change. The oversized invite incorporated reveal glasses, adding an interactive element to decode a secondary message. This innovative approach resulted in the first-year program receiving nearly double the number of applicants it could accept.
Website Design, Development & Branding

Key Design Studio

Elevating talent recruitment through a dynamic website and team collateral: The Key Design Studio set out to attract top-notch talent, aiming for a substantial impact on KeyBank's 17,000+ employees and their customers. I conceptualized and constructed a site that pushed the design studio's recruiting initiatives to the next level.
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Branding

Crumb Corner Bakery

A delectably crafted brand! What began as a passion project, evolving from a simple and clean logo, transformed into a comprehensive exploration of branding. The journey included the creation of a new logo, a vibrant color palette, thoughtfully designed packaging, business cards, captivating photography, and engaging social media content. Together, these elements provided a distinct and visually compelling identity to an extraordinary product.
Branding, Print & Web

Rockwood

Transforming a predominantly traditional company mindset, I endeavored to redefine how others perceive them. With the introduction of a completely new brand, my goal was to elevate the overall appearance and brand quality across all facets of the Rockwood brand. This involved a comprehensive approach, encompassing impactful photography, a redesigned website with improved user experience and interface, as well as cohesive ad styles, vehicle graphics, and printed materials. Every aspect was meticulously addressed to ensure a complete and impactful brand transformation.
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Environmental

Akron Canton Airport

Greetings at Akron-Canton Airport! This environmental graphic captivated visitors as they traversed one of the airport's primary terminals. The objective was to craft a compelling visual that not only stood out but also inspired those spontaneous selfies everyone adores.
Catalog Design, Photo Direction & Staging

Luxcraft

Exceptional photography has the power to not only enhance a catalog but also drive significant furniture sales. Faced with LuxCraft's extensive product line, the challenge was to create photography that not only conveyed the right narrative but also facilitated a deep connection between customers and the products. The approach taken in LuxCraft's photography and catalog design/layout not only added substantial value but also translated into tangible success, evident in the year-over-year increases in sales.
Web Design & Build

Visit Amish Country

A decade in the making. Faced with a website that had aged over 10 years, the Tourism Bureau in Holmes County, Ohio urgently needed a refresh. Nestled in the heart of Amish Country, the bureau plays a crucial role in supporting one of Ohio’s most beloved tourist destinations. The revamped Drupal website adeptly captures the region's distinctive characteristics that have been a hallmark for years. It strikes a balance between addressing user needs and enhancing the back-end functionality essential for the bureau's staff.
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Web Design & Build

The Bair Foundation

Championing a noble cause. The Bair Foundation stands as a national Christian foster care agency dedicated to offering hope and stability to children and families in crisis. The redesign of their website aimed at seamlessly supporting all stakeholders by providing easily accessible information and clear calls to action. With a striking design and meticulously organized content, users can effortlessly explore foster care options, immerse themselves in inspiring stories, and gain insights into Bair Foundation programs.
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Branding, Print & Web

Ohio Hardwood Furniture Market

Collaborating to shape the future of the furniture industry. The Ohio Hardwood Furniture Market, boasting a network of manufacturers and dealers nationwide, sought a dynamic and contemporary brand. The creation of a brand, coupled with a comprehensive marketing strategy and materials, played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of this event and securing the enduring legacy of the Amish furniture industry in Ohio. The objective was to curate an immersive experience through a website design that not only highlights upcoming markets but also facilitates connections between retail buyers and manufacturers while introducing visitors to the mission of the Hardwood Furniture Guild. Every aspect of the event was meticulously considered. From direct mail to social media, market signage to the event sign-in app, each element was thoughtfully crafted to create a memorable experience for attendees and foster opportunities for meaningful, lasting relationships among furniture builders and their customers.
Design, Branding & Web

Floret Hill

Defining understated luxury for an idyllic countryside retreat. Transforming a small cornfield overlooking the Amish countryside into a tranquil haven for travelers required standing out in a crowded market. This emerging lodging company aimed to bring its brand to life in a way that distinguished it from local alternatives. By crafting cohesive messaging, visuals, and a strategic marketing approach, Floret Hill emerged as a premier countryside retreat. The essence of the Floret Hill brand is to envelop guests in peace, comfort, and natural beauty throughout every season. From the thoughtfully chosen business name to the distinctive logo, the strategy revolves around conveying an experience of uncomplicated luxury.
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ABOUT ME

At the core of my foundation, you'll discover my inspiration sketched on random sheets of paper, scraps of wood or photographed on my phone. I embrace the philosophy that "limiting your approach limits your ideas," shaping my life accordingly. As an award-winning designer with over 20 years of experience, my passion lies in enhancing brands and achieving impactful results.

My role extends beyond driving creative direction; I enjoy leading a team of collaborators, including designers, developers, and writers. Working with my account team, I manage clients and foster relationships. Through a blend of strategy, ideation, and design, I merge storytelling with problem-solving, crafting human-centered solutions that resonate personally and enable clients to delve deeper into their uniqueness.

When not guiding my team, I specialize in providing strategic design and creative services for both print and digital mediums, focusing on brand creation, design systems, and crafting improved digital experiences.

During my free time, I relish reimagining my living space, crafting furniture, and savoring moments outdoors with my family.

For more details about my qualifications, feel free to check out my resume.

Graphic Design
Creative Direction
Photography
Branding
Marketing
Print Design
UX/UI design
Prototyping
AI Prompting
Adobe
Figma
Claude
HookPic
Sketch
Drupal
Wordpress
Webflow

Video Production

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Aerial Videography

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3D Virtual Tours

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My name is Derek

I’m a designer and creative director located in Northeast Ohio.

For more than 16 years I've been mastering my craft. I've worked in a small corporate department, to small- and medium-sized agencies around Northeast Ohio.

I've worked hard and because of this I've been recognized by the Akron-Canton chapter of AAF and National Advertising Federation for the work I’ve created of over the years. In the end, I couldn't have done this without my core, fundimintal belief in authentic human connections, the ones that brands together with their audiences. Above all else, this stands at the center of why I help guide others through their own personal journey to create. This is what drives me day-in and day-out.
‍
Through strategy, ideation and design, I combine storytelling with problem solving to create human-centered experiences that evoke personal meaning and help clients dive deeper into what makes them unique.

My most recent experiences include leading a team of designers, developers and writers to create purpose-driven outcomes. You know…the outcomes that generate impact. I also invest a portion of my time creating print work and digital experience designs. I also conceptualize and direct photoshoots, as well as engage in client meetings and presentations all while working to maintain a positive team culture.

My name is Derek

I’m a designer and creative director located in Northeast Ohio.

For more than 16 years I've been mastering my craft. I've worked in a small corporate department, to small- and medium-sized agencies around Northeast Ohio.

I've worked hard and because of this I've been recognized by the Akron-Canton chapter of AAF and National Advertising Federation for the work I’ve created of over the years. In the end, I couldn't have done this without my core, fundimintal belief in authentic human connections, the ones that brands together with their audiences. Above all else, this stands at the center of why I help guide others through their own personal journey to create. This is what drives me day-in and day-out.
‍
Through strategy, ideation and design, I combine storytelling with problem solving to create human-centered experiences that evoke personal meaning and help clients dive deeper into what makes them unique.

My most recent experiences include leading a team of designers, developers and writers to create purpose-driven outcomes. You know…the outcomes that generate impact. I also invest a portion of my time creating print work and digital experience designs. I also conceptualize and direct photoshoots, as well as engage in client meetings and presentations all while working to maintain a positive team culture.

My name is Derek

I’m a designer and creative director located in Northeast Ohio.

For more than 16 years I've been mastering my craft. I've worked in a small corporate department, to small- and medium-sized agencies around Northeast Ohio.

I've worked hard and because of this I've been recognized by the Akron-Canton chapter of AAF and National Advertising Federation for the work I’ve created of over the years. In the end, I couldn't have done this without my core, fundimintal belief in authentic human connections, the ones that brands together with their audiences. Above all else, this stands at the center of why I help guide others through their own personal journey to create. This is what drives me day-in and day-out.
‍
Through strategy, ideation and design, I combine storytelling with problem solving to create human-centered experiences that evoke personal meaning and help clients dive deeper into what makes them unique.

My most recent experiences include leading a team of designers, developers and writers to create purpose-driven outcomes. You know…the outcomes that generate impact. I also invest a portion of my time creating print work and digital experience designs. I also conceptualize and direct photoshoots, as well as engage in client meetings and presentations all while working to maintain a positive team culture.

My name is Derek

I’m a designer and creative director located in Northeast Ohio.

For more than 16 years I've been mastering my craft. I've worked in a small corporate department, to small- and medium-sized agencies around Northeast Ohio.

I've worked hard and because of this I've been recognized by the Akron-Canton chapter of AAF and National Advertising Federation for the work I’ve created of over the years. In the end, I couldn't have done this without my core, fundimintal belief in authentic human connections, the ones that brands together with their audiences. Above all else, this stands at the center of why I help guide others through their own personal journey to create. This is what drives me day-in and day-out.
‍
Through strategy, ideation and design, I combine storytelling with problem solving to create human-centered experiences that evoke personal meaning and help clients dive deeper into what makes them unique.

My most recent experiences include leading a team of designers, developers and writers to create purpose-driven outcomes. You know…the outcomes that generate impact. I also invest a portion of my time creating print work and digital experience designs. I also conceptualize and direct photoshoots, as well as engage in client meetings and presentations all while working to maintain a positive team culture.

My name is Derek

I’m a designer and creative director located in Northeast Ohio.

For more than 16 years I've been mastering my craft. I've worked in a small corporate department, to small- and medium-sized agencies around Northeast Ohio.

I've worked hard and because of this I've been recognized by the Akron-Canton chapter of AAF and National Advertising Federation for the work I’ve created of over the years. In the end, I couldn't have done this without my core, fundimintal belief in authentic human connections, the ones that brands together with their audiences. Above all else, this stands at the center of why I help guide others through their own personal journey to create. This is what drives me day-in and day-out.
‍
Through strategy, ideation and design, I combine storytelling with problem solving to create human-centered experiences that evoke personal meaning and help clients dive deeper into what makes them unique.

My most recent experiences include leading a team of designers, developers and writers to create purpose-driven outcomes. You know…the outcomes that generate impact. I also invest a portion of my time creating print work and digital experience designs. I also conceptualize and direct photoshoots, as well as engage in client meetings and presentations all while working to maintain a positive team culture.