Art direction brings concepts to life with purpose.
An art director is like the conductor of a visual symphony—bringing cohesion, emotion, and purpose to creative work. For someone like me—who bridges structured branding with expressive storytelling—art direction isn't just about making things look good. It’s about crafting experiences that feel purposeful, cohesive, and emotionally tuned.
For the Phoenix Design Week Animation, my approach to art direction was deeply personal and emotionally rooted. Created as a call for artwork prior to joining the board, this piece emerged during the pandemic—a time when travel was a rare and precious experience.
I wanted to weave together the visual energy of the design community with the intimacy of my own family's adventures. The result was a layered animation that blended storytelling, vibrant graphics, and subtle emotional cues. Incorporating my daughter added a playful and heartfelt element, anchoring the piece in lived experience while also inviting others to reflect on their own journeys.
Working with Beatnic the Enforcer, an underground MC from Arizona and Oregon, was a raw and energizing creative partnership. I art directed a series of digital album covers—one for each monthly track release—crafting visuals that echoed the grit and storytelling in his lyrics. Each cover was rooted in close collaboration, translating Beatnic’s narratives into design that felt authentic to his underground ethos.
The challenge was maintaining a consistent visual thread while allowing each track its own identity. I balanced conceptual depth with street-inspired aesthetics to build a cohesive look across the project, making the covers an extension of Beatnic’s voice and vision.
Designing posters for MURS’ “Last Run” Tour was an opportunity to pay tribute to a legendary body of work through the lens of visual storytelling. As art director, I approached the project with the intention of honoring his creative legacy while crafting something timeless for fans. With Phoenix marking the final stop of the tour, I saw it as the perfect moment to create poster options that wove together elements from MURS’ past releases—like a visual anthology.
My goal was more than aesthetic appeal—it was to spark nostalgia, pride, and a lasting connection. Each design balanced archival references with bold, contemporary composition, aiming to be the kind of piece someone would proudly display long after the show ended.
Working within the sports industry presents a unique design challenge: how do you harness raw energy and emotion while delivering clarity and brand cohesion? As an art director, I approach these projects with the goal of amplifying the heart of the sport—whether it's legacy, grit, or individuality.
For the alternative snowboarder magazine, I developed a distinctive logo and visual system that reflected the spirit of nonconformity and adrenaline. The layout pushed conventional boundaries, inviting readers to engage not just with content, but with attitude.
For ASU Athletics, the bus stop installation was about honoring tradition while staying within brand guardrails. I created a design that celebrated both past legends and current talent—balancing reverence and momentum, all in public view.
With Burton, the rider was the hero. I directed poster and ad designs that explored what fuels athletes internally and how Burton stands beside them—not just as a gear provider, but a believer in their journey.
Each project was an opportunity to merge storytelling with strategy—bringing the passion of sports to life through intentional design.
Designing posters for Phoenix Design Week and original artwork for T-shirts gave me the opportunity to lead with vision and purpose. As art director on projects like the Fuse Poster, I shaped the creative concept and guided a junior designer to translate abstract themes into a compelling visual identity that resonated with the community. For the apparel work, each design was crafted to feel personal—bold compositions that carried emotional weight and visual punch.
These projects demanded strategic oversight and hands-on refinement. From defining layout and typography to overseeing production details, I ensured every piece not only looked cohesive but told a meaningful story. Whether mentoring collaborators or fine-tuning deliverables, my focus was always on creating something lasting—designs that go beyond the moment and become part of someone’s world.