Developing an identity is like solving a puzzle. It requires getting to the core of the client’s business or organization. It's a process of expansion — brain storming, free association, research, learning — and then reduction — taking away everything that is extraneous and narrowing the focus to the clearest, most powerful visual solution.

Home Warranty of America (HWA) provides coverage to protect against the cost of home and appliance repair. They market directly to home buyers and sellers, and though collaborative programs with real estate agents.

Although HWA wanted to rebrand, they were not quite ready to part with their logo. However, they agreed to a significant update. It was important that their signature orange, tightly associated with their brand, take a prominent role. The challenge was to bring this family-owned company into the 21st century and make them stand out in a highly competitive industry.

When the diocese was going through some big changes, among them the installation of a new bishop, they felt an urgent need for a fresh look to signal the shift in leadership. They chose their enews (at the time, their main communication medium) as their jumping-off point. I designed a new Constant Contact header, and they were thrilled. Many projects have followed—the launch of a capital campaign program, stationary, a website, bishop’s appeals, identities for internal programs, seasonal postcards, convention signage, and a bi-yearly magazine—evolving out of that initial solution. It wasn't the most conventional path to branding, but it provided an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the diocese, and slowly broaden the brand to include sub identities like the Society of Miriam, the Nicholas Center and the bishop's appeal.

Bexley Seabury is the federation of two seminaries, Bexley in Ohio, and Seabury Western in Illinois. It was important that both institutions felt represented in a new identity. I created an amalgam of elements from both logo crosses to form a new cross. It also reads as a plus sign, signifying the union of the two seminaries. A selection from each institution's color scheme completed the happy marriage.

For nearly a decade I designed the promotional materials for Literacy Works annual fundraiser. The engaging images attracted new supporters to the cause, and helped to increase revenues from the event exponentially.

Literacy Works is a nonprofit organization devoted to strengthening adult literacy, parent education, and workforce development programs by developing and providing innovative training and knowledge-sharing opportunities for professionals and volunteers. Learn more at litworks.org.

The original interactive format—print! Touch it! Feel it! Print's not dead after all.

Moor Credits:
Art direction: Andrew José
Cover photo: Aki Hirata-Baker

The website of your business or organization is a reflection of your brand, and is another opportunity to broadcast who you are. I design beautiful and intuitive responsive websites that are user-friendly. You’ll find the sites flexible and easy to manage as your organization’s needs evolve.

Each holiday season, I send a card of thanks to my clients. The image I create is also sometimes adapted for packaging—cookie tins, wine bottle boxes, gift boxes. The project is a way to showcase skills they don't usually see.

Trinity English is a lively, vibrant Lutheran church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They are a growing parish that is looking to increase engagement with the larger community. The elements of the mark show human interconnection, while referencing ancient celtic designs and the trinity.