
Empathy is a skill that can be honed,
but designing to elicit empathy is no easy feat. Master this,
and passive audiences become active
change-makers.
Whether it’s creating an omni-channel retail experience, designing an interpretive exhibit, or temporarily activating a neighborhood block, I am a fierce believer in the critical role that emotion plays in experience. Over the past 15 years I have designed and directed interactive stories, tools, and services that span both digital and physical realms. Currently, as Experience Design Director for Second Story, I lead the experience design practice across studios in Portland, New York, and Atlanta, where I am based. As a member of the company's executive leadership team, I am responsible for recruiting and growing top talent, winning new business, and leading award-winning projects for some of the world's biggest brands and institutions. As a founding member of the Atlanta studio, I helped build and train the experience and content teams, and later went on to become the Studio Creative Director for several years, overseeing all creative tracks of work from concept through launch (experience design, content strategy, visual/motion design, environmental design). Over the years I have channeled this experience into the creation of new processes and tools for the emerging field of UX within physical environments.

Architecting Emotion
Designing for emotion is foundational to all of my work. At Second Story, I was able to define a framework—Emotional Architecture—that would allow the team to more intentionally design for specific emotions that lead to desired actions.
A Participatory Process
While I enjoy all phases of a project, I especially thrive in the early stages of discovery and dreaming. Having guided countless clients through this rather fluid and ambiguous part of the design process, I've developed tried and true co-creation methods that build great momentum in the early stages of a project.


Thought Leadership
I enjoy sharing my perspective on experience design with peers and students alike. I've been a speaker at a number of public venues including both industry and academic events.
Awards
The Drum Social Purpose Awards
Digiday Worklife Award
Mosaic Award
How Design
Society for Experiential Graphic Design
Interaction Design Association
The American Alliance of Museums
FAB Awards
Communicator Awards
Design for Experience Awards
Digital Out of Home Awards
Smarties
Appy Awards
Clients
Harvard Business School
Emory University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Jabil
Red Hat
Verizon Wireless
Sprint
Mastercard
The Home Depot
Staples
JCPenney
lululemon
Michelin
Avon
Vail Resorts
Sea World
Enterprise Holdings
Textile Museum
Colonial Williamsburg
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington Post
NRG
Whole Foods Market
Panera Bread
Krispy Kreme
Godiva
Coca-Cola
QVC