about

crash between text and art

Visual journalism seemed like a logical job for me. It is a collision between text and art, two things that have fascinated me my entire life. The art of visual storytelling also plays with psychology, guiding the reader to tell them a story in the best possible way.

Graphic design is not just a line of work for me. It is an outlet. It is who God designed me to be.

career

I am currently a designer at the Gannett Nashville Design Studio. You can find my journalism portfolio here, which includes newspaper and magazine design, graphic reporting and multimedia presentations.

I was hired at The Tennessean as a designer in December 2009. A little more than a year later in February 2011, I was hired as one of the designers for Gannett’s new venture of five national design studios for their newspapers.

In the summer of 2009 I interned at The Indianapolis Star in the design and graphics department. I worked in the features and news design departments as well as on the graphics desk doing both print and online products.

I held a similar position at The Tennessean in the summer of 2008.

On the side I am a freelance graphic designer available for hire. You can find my freelance portfolio here.

education

Junior year of high school I set my heart on attending Ball State University for journalism graphics. I looked at other schools, but it was always Ball State.

In August 2005 I packed my bags and moved away from Cincinnati for the first time.

While at Ball State I worked on The Ball State Daily News for four years. During my time at the Daily News I was a designer and graphics reporter. I designed the front page, special sections and produced graphics and multimedia projects. Junior year I was assistant design editor and one of nine design leaders. Senior year I was the design editor.

Throughout the four years I was recognized a number of times for my designs by national organizations, including one of nine finalist for The Society of News Designs fall 2008 Intern competition.

In 2009 I won the following awards:

*First place for front page design from the Missouri Student Society for News Design

*Second place for sports page design from the Michigan State Student Society for News Design

*Eight Columbia Collegiate Press Association for design and graphics

*Regional Mark of Excellence for Online Features Reporting from Society for Professional Journalists

*First and second place for Multimedia Presentation from Columbia Collegiate Press Association

As design editor in 2008 to 2009, I helped guide my team of designers and graphic reporters to more than 50 state and national awards.

In May 2009 I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in journalism specializing in journalism graphics with a minor in religious studies.

blog

My blog is a crash of words and visuals, a glimpse inside my mind. At times it is a simple illustrations. Other times it is a reaction to a church sermon, the beauty I see in the kids from the youth group I volunteer with or thoughts that tumble around in my brain.

me

I am a disciple of Jesus, following hard after Him in my daily life. I am a artist, a dreamer, a writer.

I am a volunteer youth leader for Cross Point Community Church.

You can follow me on Twitter or find me on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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