SENIOR ART DIRECTOR | HOME + LIFESTYLE | PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEO

Resumé

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

KOHL’S DEPARTMENT STORES

Photo Art Director

February 2014 – Present | Milwaukee, WI

Lead art direction for Kohl’s largest Home, Interior, Outdoor, and lifestyle photography and video productions, guiding creative development from concept through final delivery.

  • Direct photography and video across concept development, pre-production, on-set execution, and post-production.

  • Partner with Merchandising, Production Design, photographers, stylists, producers, and retouchers to translate brand and business objectives into cohesive visual storytelling.

  • Establish creative direction for concepts, sets, styling, lighting, composition, and overall visual expression across home and lifestyle initiatives.

  • Lead the photographic expression of brands including Sonoma, Sonoma Outdoors, Food Network, Mingle&Co., Miryana, Croft & Barrow, BigOnes, and Duddl Duds.

  • Direct creative intent through post-production, including image selection, retouching, compositing, plating, and final image development.

  • Drive production innovation and efficiency by integrating AI-enabled full and hybrid production solutions with modular set design, photographic plating systems, and 360° photography.

  • Introduced emerging creative technologies into Kohl’s production workflow, leading the company’s first fully AI-driven photography shoot and launch for an outdoor brand.

  • Provide culinary art direction and creative direction for specialized Home and lifestyle photography.


KOHL’S DEPARTMENT STORES / AQUENT — KOHL’S PHOTO STUDIO

Photo Concept Designer

May 2009 – February 2014 | Milwaukee, WI

Progressed from embedded creative partner through company-side Photo Concept Designer, shaping photographic concepts, visual systems, and creative standards across Kohl’s fashion and lifestyle brands.

  • Led seasonal photography concepting and visual development for brands including Dana Buchman, ELLE, Candie’s, APT9, and Lauren Conrad.

  • Partnered with Senior Creative Directors and studio leadership to translate brand strategy into distinctive photographic languages and visual storytelling.

  • Created Kohl’s company-wide photography style guide and e-commerce photography guidelines, establishing consistent visual standards across in-house, location, and digital photography.

  • Led photography testing across styling, lighting, sets, retouching, and final image development to establish scalable creative approaches.

  • Developed the APT9 launch microsite and supporting digital creative, extending the brand experience beyond photography.

  • Researched cultural and visual trends to inform seasonal creative direction, emerging brand development, and new photographic approaches.


WHITTMANHART INTERACTIVE

Interactive Designer

November 2007 – April 2008 | Milwaukee, WI

Designed digital experiences and promotional creative for Harley-Davidson, extending brand storytelling across emerging interactive and consumer-facing channels.

  • Designed promotional websites, microsites, digital campaigns, email marketing, and online advertising.

  • Developed creative concepts for Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom new-model rollout.

  • Collaborated with interactive architects on Harley-Davidson’s global online presence and social networking experience.

  • Translated brand strategy into cohesive digital experiences across multiple consumer touchpoints.

LAUGHLIN CONSTABLE

Designer — Griffin Design

October 2006 – October 2007 | Milwaukee, WI

Member of a four-person brand and identity team developing visual identities, campaigns, and integrated marketing communications for regional and national clients.

  • Developed brand identities and visual systems for clients including Bon-Ton Stores, Harley-Davidson Museum, and Friendly’s Restaurants.

  • Created the Living the Legend campaign for the Harley-Davidson Museum capital campaign, spanning billboards, posters, packaging, and event communications.

  • Led branding and marketing materials for the Sydney Hih Square condominium development, later transformed into Hotel Palomar Milwaukee.

  • Developed the Boomertowne identity system, including logo, sales materials, and integrated marketing communications.

  • Collaborated across creative disciplines to translate brand strategies into cohesive visual experiences across multiple media.

HAL LEONARD CORPORATION

Graphic Designer

October 2005 – September 2006 | Milwaukee, WI

Member of a five-person design team developing books, book jackets, and marketing communications for the world’s largest music publisher.

  • Designed books, book jackets, and marketing collateral across a diverse music publishing portfolio.

  • Selected to lead the design of The JBL Story: 60 Years of Audio Innovation, a flagship publication documenting JBL’s history and legacy.

  • Collaborated with editors, music arrangers, coordinators, and external partners to develop cohesive, market-ready publications.

  • Modernized the visual presentation of existing products and advertising materials through refreshed design systems and contemporary art direction.

JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER

Graphic Designer

April 2000 – September 2005 | Sheboygan, WI

Progressed from Museum Technician to sole in-house Graphic Designer, overseeing visual communications across print, exhibition, environmental, and marketing applications.

  • Led design and production for advertising, exhibition publications, newsletters, direct mail, signage, and wayfinding.

  • Partnered with curators, educators, writers, photographers, and leadership to translate institutional content into cohesive visual communications.

  • Established stronger visual standards and production processes, elevating consistency across the organization’s communications and exhibitions.