Why MarvelDesigner.com?

First, let me explain the URL of this site. I’m not egotistical to the point where I would proclaim myself to be a “marvel”. There’s a simpler reason for this URL.

I’ve owned this domain since 2008, when I purchased it to build a customized site which I used to apply for a position with the Marvel Comics UX team. I thought the best way to convince them to hire me was to create a site specifically about WHY I was a good fit for their creative team, complete with Captain America’s shield, Spider-man’s webs, etc.

Ultimately, it didn’t work out, but I kept the URL anyway. There just wasn’t a strong enough reason to change it.

I love UX design: I want to balance great UI with beautiful, inspiring design and I strive to constantly improve at my craft.

Enthusiasm: I believe you can have fun and do great work, and I think it shows in how I approach projects. I leave my ego at the door, and just concentrate on creating an atmosphere where people feel safe, respected, and work well together.

The goal: I’m always open to an opportunities to stretch myself in organizations that people love to work for, AND help in some way to make people’s lives better.

Principal Designer
Gannett / USA TODAY Network

2017 – Now
Currently, as senior member of the Consumer Experience UX team, I help with Gannett’s efforts to innovate and improve the overall customer experience—on everything from news articles to subscription signup pages. My current focus revolves around attracting and retaining new subscribers for our digital products. Research and testing is as much a part of my role as design is. We work collaboratively and base every decision on where the data leads us.
 

Design Director
Gannett / USA TODAY Network

2014 – 2017
Upon returning to Gannett, I joined the UX team specifically tasked with helping Gannett’s local newspapers evolve their digital products. The main focus of our team was to design and develop a highly successful series of Android /iPhone niche sports-related apps, as well as several storytelling initiatives; Including Gannett’s Pulitzer-winning project “The Wall”.
 

Manager, Digital Design
Kohl’s

2013 – 2014
After years in journalism, I was ready to try something different, so in 2013 I took on the role of managing the production Kohl’s digital sales initiatives. While there, I led a team of 19 UX designers (10 full-time, and 9 contract positions) tasked with producing the content for the desktop, tablet and mobile sites/apps. It was an incredibly fast-paced job, and really helped me stretch my skillset. During my tenure, the company saw double digit increases in total traffic, customer engagement, and total digital revenue; while also reducing costs and errors.
 

Director, Local Design
Gannett

2010 – 2013
At this point, I was promoted to corporate, where I worked with all of Gannett’s local properties – both newspaper and television – to identify opportunites to better serve audiences. I also worked on the initial version of Gannett’s digital paywall.ocus is on attracting and retaining new subscribers for our digital products.
 

Digital Director
The Indianapolis Star

2008 – 2010
As the Digital Director for the Market Development & Digital team at The Star, I led a group of designers and developers tasked with identifying underserved audience segments and rapidly developed/launched web products to meet their needs.ocus is on attracting and retaining new subscribers for our digital products.
 

Digital Design Manager
The Indianapolis Star

1999 – 2008
In late 1999, I moved from The Star’s newsroom to the newly formed online team, and later the Innovation and Development group, where we created numerous ground-breaking sites.ocus is on attracting and retaining new subscribers for our digital products.
 

Informatics Editor – Newsroom
The Indianapolis Star

1995 – 1999
During my tenure with the informatics team at The Indianapolis Star, we won 16 national awards and dozens of state awards.

Pulitzer Prize

I provided UX design and Project management support for the team that won the journalism award.

Design awards

I’ve won many awards over the years, including:
Society of News Design
Editor & Publisher
Society of Professional Journalists

University of St. Francis
Communication Arts and Design Degree

Fort Wayne, IN