CAMren

While the long-term dream is to be fully focused on running my own creative agency launched, Midnight Aurora, I'm actively looking for roles that are either part time or full time that can not just pay the bills, but give me more experience in leadership and management to lead a team of creatives.

There are specific worlds I'd love to play in, but am open to anything that is challenging, that I can see a clear way into and that would put me on a team with good people lead by inspiring leaders.

The main focus for more than a decade has been on mobile app design. While that has been the main stream of project, every product I've worked on has kept my branding skills sharp and brought with it holistic design needs that require many hats and skills. When it comes down to it, I love the process from kickoff to launch bringing products to the market that are meeting a specific need in a way no one else has managed to do in a way that is simple and a joy to use.

I'm always involved in a handful of small projects, but I'm looking actively to join a team as soon as possible as I'm ready to work with a team delivering big ambitions projects and products to the market with the backbone of a strong brand, in-depth research and ground work and a clear market need being targeted.

AI can be harnessed in a way that puts more good into the world. But it's a powerful car that is useless without a driver.

It’s all the hype and for good reason. It has come into its own. But it serves a specific purpose and if harnessed right, allows us to be more efficient, allowing us to do what we do best. I see AI as three things:

1. AI is a tool
It’s not here to do our jobs for us. It’s just as imperfect as we are. It’s something to support us, not put things on autopilot for us. Those most worried about this have not spent time testing its limitations. It aids us every day in some way, but it also frustrates as much as it aids.

2. AI is here to do the things I don’t need to
Ideally, it frees one to to do the things that only that person can do. Which is creative problem solving that’s through their own lens. There are numerous mundane tasks that keep us from doing not only what we are best at but what we love doing.

3. AI is a jumping off point
That blank stare that you get when you think “I don’t know where to start”? What AI brings to the table is giving that first very rough draft that gives you something to work from when you just need to start. It’s the pen on a blank page when you just need the shove.

Designer Will Patterson nails it when he points out that it’s really doing what we’ve always done. AI in art essentially acts as a mood board to give us inspiration to create something on the back of the art that has come before.

Dive was born sitting at a bar with friends all frustrated and burnt out on dating apps. but feeling stuck with them. There was born the idea of bringing someone's inner circle into the mix.

Seriously, why another dating app?

Online dating sucks. It’s a game that is not just shallow, but also unsafe and where few matches leading to meet ups. 

What does Dive do different to make it good?

By involving your inner circle, Dive gives you confidence that what you see is what you get by seeing someone through those who know them best, makes you feel safe knowing there is accountability and ensures with clear actions that the intention is to go on a date.

Tell me more

Launched in early 2024 with an old friend and co-worker Miranda Gordon - Midnight Aurora is a creative team assembled with designers Iv'e worked with over the years who I think are super talented and I trust. We are in early stages of establishing the studio with a small and strong team, but excited for what the future may hold. Our philosophy is “We make what we want.” We want to add products to the world we wish we had.

Tell me more

I got my start in design doing what most did a couple decades ago. "Graphic Design." That meant print, leading into website and then the explosion of mobile apps with the introduction of the iPhone. One lead to another and brought me to where I am where I have spent over half my life at the age of 43 creating brands and experiences I was excited to share with the world.

My ideal role would be a Design Manager leading a team of designers with a touch of hands on design myself. My previous role was a Sr Design Manager for a team of about 10 and while I loved leading them, I also got my hands dirty and was able to guide them with granular design knowledge, not just from a distance. I'm close to the work and love to see where big vision and experience meet fresh young designers.

I look for interesting work with good people I would love to spend a third of my time with.

I value health above all in my personal life and in those I work alongside, knowing that it leads to our best most inspired work.

Some of the verticals I'm particularly passionate about are fitness, storytelling and travel. But I'm always looking for ways into other areas and searching for how I can make something interesting to me that in turn produces the best work I can do.