Art Direction and Design for Exhibition Microsite for the MFA, Boston, MA
site formerly at: www.mfa.org/napoleon; view archive

The Art of Empire Style was a challenging concept to convey in a microsite; however, an art history background and a university days obsession with Josephine Bonaparte helped to find a stimulating language for these phenomenal objects. An exploration of the thematics of Napoleon's self-constructed mythology allowed for a experiential understanding of Napoleon's stylistic dominance. This microsite introduces the exhibition to the viewer with a playful, instructive, and stimulating methodology.

Additional components to the microsite: a successful banner campaign, development of downloadable content

Art Direction and Flash Design for Covidien's Corporate Website and Banner Campaigns
site: www.covidien.com

The launch of Covidien, formerly Tyco Healthcare, in the summer of 2007 meant the launch of a brand new corporate website. With minimal identity defined, the Covidien site was conceived of and designed as a model for future growth of the web presence for the company. Art Direction throughout the site, both in terms of graphics and and interactive pieces, was attentive to the idea of defining a standard -- later written into being in the form of an Interactive Brand Guideline.

In addition to the corporate website, the launch of the company was accompanied by a series of online banner advertisements, both for the brand itself, and to promote its association with the Red Sox Foundation.

Cookie Baking and Delivery, Boston, MA
site: www.pinwheelshop.com

Pinwheel is a cookie delivery service, recognizing that much of the fun in gifts and care packages is the presentation and surprise of the package itself. Pinwheel carefully crafts unique cookies, everything from chile brownies to butterscotch pralines, and wrap them up in ribbons and bows for everyone's special someone. From logo design to packaging and presentation, the main visual themes are nostalgic and bright. Playful additions such as hangtag notes and 1" buttons allow the happy frisson of cookies to last beyond the final crumbs.

Art Direction for the Camp Harbor View Foundation site
site: www.campharborviewfoundation.com

Jack Conners started Camp Harbor View as a supportive, structured environment for urban youth during the summer months. The camp is situated on Long Island in Boston Harbor, and provides an outdoor oasis for kids, an activity center run and sponsored by the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and philanthropists. To convey the sense of fun, nostalgia, and excitement to both prospective donors to the foundation and to the campers (as well as their families), this site was conceived of in bright and buyant colors. To convey summertime and the outdoor experience, the layout features a strong use of blue and sunshine yellow, paired with photos of kids on the camp's ropes course, framed against the sky.

Art Direction and Flash Design for LIU USA's Corporate Website
site: www.liu-usa.com

LIU USA represents a complex and specialized part of Liberty Mutual Group's insurance offerings. Leading experts in their field are sought out by those looking to underwrite specialized risk, and LIU needed an online path to connect prospective customers with LIU experts. Through a simple and open aesthetic style, and straightforward portraits of the LIU experts, the new corporate site portrays the company's aptitude, fidelity, and proficiency.

In addition to Art Direction on the corporate site, this project involved a photo shoot of the leading underwriters at LIU USA's headquarters, and a photo shoot guideline for portraits taken at satellite offices.

Art Direction and Design for a Diovan promotional microsite
General Awareness site: www.getdiovan.com
Direct Response site: www.moneyoffdiovan.com

In coordination with a broadcast and print campaign, the microsites of this Diovan promotional test offered the potential customer a friendly introduction to the medication and the risks associated with high blood pressure. Set in a style with easy breathing room and plenty of information hierarchy cues, these simple microsites provided a welcoming entrance to the potential customer's Diovan relationship.

A banner campaign targetting GA and DR goals was created in conjunction with the microsites.

Designers’ Showcase Series at pinkcomma, Boston, MA
site: www.designnearby.com

Design Nearby is an exhibition series for people who love design. The series showcases inventive craft and clever aesthetics, from graphics on a shirt to mobiles made of felt to woodblock wallpaper. Design Nearby highlights works in various disciplines, with a focus on Boston-area artists and designers. Future themes will include house wares, fashion, textiles and product design. The Design Nearby series kicked-off in December 2007 with Prints Charming, a show focusing on printed works by Boston-area artists and designers. Whether on paper, canvas, t-shirts, or wood, the eighteen featured artists displayed a variety and breadth of design sensibilities.

Prints Charming was tickled pink to be a featured item in DailyCandy's weekend roster.

Art Direction and Design for Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare's Blog
site: www.letstalkhealthcare.org

As new requirement laws began to change healthcare in Massachusetts, so did the topic come to the forefront of public conversation. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care joined the discussion with a new blog and marketing site, featuring an ongoing dialog with President & CEO Charlie Baker, a well-known healthcare advocate and speaker. The design of the site used tangible component objects to identify the two sides and purposes of the project: the pad of paper as a natural identifier for writing and discussion, and the case folder as a symbol of the marketing and offerings side of the prospect.

In addition to Art Direction on the Microsite, this project involved a successful banner campaign.

Art Direction, Flash Design and Development for a Film Promotion Microsite
site: www.9livesmovie.com

Nine Lives is a exploration of nine women's stories told through nine, single, unbroken takes. Woven together, these stories represent an emotional whole, which inspired the design of this site to be an intimate layout of a warm interior space. Using light sources and soft sound effects to build an enigmatic atmosphere, the microsite conveys a sense of the film's stories through the suggestions of human presence. The overall pensive space introduces the film's cinematographic style, and a themes section allows for the interwoven threads of the nine stories to be explored and previewed via short clips from each of the nine parts.

Art Direction, Flash Design and Development for a Film Promotion Microsite
site: www.bowlingmovie.com

Having recently started a bowling and knitting club at the famous Sacco's Bowl Haven, this project arrived with a rippling frisson of joy upon my desk. Because little to no design elements were established for this documentary, the nostalgic theme (I had been spending a fair amount of time at Sacco's, I confess), typographic styles, and exploratory elements and content were all a part of the project task, and I threw myself into it with the gusto of an amateur bowler trying to break 80 (that is candlepin, I'll have you know). As highlighted in the film, bowling is a sport that once captured the American audiences, but slowly drained away in popularity and persona. However, just as retro is new again, and bacon is back, the stylistic representation of bowling as part of a modern upswing and new cool kid community, on the microsite and elsewhere, will hopefully get the ball rolling again!

Totes & Bags and other inspired goods, Boston, MA
site: mittenmitten.etsy.com

As a revolt to the big bag craze of 2004, and after being inspired by some interesting finds on a trip to Barcelona, mittenmitten was born as part of the campaign for sensible bags. Sensible, of course, is not the antithesis to toothsome, whimsy, and playful qualities, but rather a starting point for creating a series of totes, pockets, wallets, and other goods that aspire to simplicity, function, and fun in everyday life. Hence, mittenmitten makes such bags, totes, pockets, wallets, jumpers, and accessories, attentive to astute and functional design with witty details. All bags and wearables are made by hand with good cheer in Boston, Massachusetts.

Art Direction and Flash Design for a Brand Showcase and Catalog Site
site: www.mariposa-gift.com

Mariposa is an elegant leader in the arena of handmade tableware. Their brand emphasizes the splendor and beauty of the artisan craft with ceramics, cast aluminum, glassware, and cutlery made by hand. Their new corporate site needed to serve as a brand showcase of the lifestyle they espouse, while seamlessly weaving technology into their catalog to be a wholly modern directory of offerings for their vendors and customers. This technology involved an intricately flexible database paired with a design style that could be easily updated based on new season's offerings, discontinuations, and special holiday features. Although the site is not a consumer commerce site, the showcase does offer the opportunity to speak directly to the end customer, communicating a poignant vision of craftsmanship and lifestyle that has won Mariposa loyal followers the world around.

VO Promotion & Identity Package for an extremely talented fellow from New York, NY

Teddy Cañez has a voice that moves mountains; and hence, needed a promotional package to help shout this talent from the rooftops... Or from the inbox for various talent scouts looking for a great voice. Using a nostalgic style of wild west showmanship, this promotional package helps to identify Mr. Cañez as a distinct individual with an arresting style.

Art Direction, Flash Design and Development for a Film Promotion Microsite
site: www.worldsfastestindian.com

The World's Fastest Indian was first released in Australia in early 2006. For the film's US release, Magnolia Pictures wanted to create an exuberant site with plenty of film fanfare, to introduce the picture to American audiences. Using stills from the film as well as racetrack memorabilia elements, the layout and organization of this site is set out simply for the user's playful exploration. Catering to motoring enthusiasts, the site also includes a section of information about Burt Munro, The Indian motorcycle, and Bonneville.

Art Direction and Flash Design for Corporate Website and ATM Screens
site: www.wainwrightbank.com

Wainwright Bank is widely recognized as one of the leading socially progressive banks in the country. The site design needed to incorporate this progressive message in both its style and organization, offering a fresh face to the bank's offerings with its new online presence. Using bright colors, bold photography, and elegant typographic style, Wainwright's site speaks to the bank's character, personality, and integrity, while always emphasizing trust and partnership. Interactive elements in the site's main sections allow for an exploratory, playful experience of Wainwright's brand promise.

In addition to the site art direction and design, this project involved a kindred set of animated ATM screens.

Art Direction and Flash Design for Boutique Commerce Site
site: www.flatofthehill.com

Flat of the Hill is a small boutique in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood. Nestled away in its many corners are products of absolutely delight (and, in some cases, obsession), and to broaden the audience and customer base for the such lovely goods, the shop decided on developing an online presence and commerce site. Decidedly pretty and feminine, the overall style of the site was developed around the idea of delicate patterns and elegant flourishes, all wrapped around elegant photography of the individual items. Interactive pieces allow for a playful experience in selecting items, choosing gifts, or browsing the store.