Stories draw audiences in. When done well, they also heighten comprehension and a sense of reader-subject connection. I specialize in using storytelling (among other tools) to invite interest and engagement. I thread story in the traditional, narrative sense and also its components—theme, point of view, tone of voice, tension, contrast, motion, and more—throughout content and delivery in both obvious and more subtle ways.
Below are a few examples from throughout the years. Additional samples available upon request, story being a consideration in nearly every photo I edit, every paragraph I write.
“CAM Services to the Rescue”
Expansion Announcement from CAM Services – Los Angeles, CA
The in-house marketing director for this common area maintenance service (CAM Services) based in Los Angeles, CA, had some wonderful, story-centric ideas. I brought each into being. For this print ad run in a trade magazine, she had the general idea of a bat signal over Fresno, which I then ran with. We got a lot of use out of the concept and my custom graphics through both HTML and print channels.
below: original photo
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A Family-friendly Website Conveying Connectivity & Hope
Capitol Interfaith Hospitality Network
cihn.org
circa 2006
Brand, Website, and Related Collateral Design
Custom Graphics
Website Code
This oldie is one of my early forays storytelling and theme communication through design.
Capitol Interfaith Hospitality Network (CIHN) was a nonprofit, nondenominational coalition of religious and community organization trying to help homeless families in Washington, DC. A friend knew the director and asked me if I could make time to design a friendly, family-focus website on a budget. Of course, I said.
The custom navigation, in particular, aptly conveyed themes of interconnection, positivity, and hope important to welcoming people into the services the non-profit provided.
This was a non-device responsive, tables-based website built before I wrote code myself (I used GoLive, then Dreamweaver back then). The custom artwork is a combination of stock art and my manipulation and expansion thereupon.
If I was redoing things today, I'd go with a less childish—yet still friendly—logo type and left sidebar page names. (Back then, choices were far less extensive than today.) And I'd otherwise certainly refine spacing and layout (and make the round window more legible). But the overall theme-based design as a means to relaxing audiences to where they might be more willing to accept help has certainly stood the test of time.
Screenshots (the dated site is no longer live).
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“The Relevant Work Tour”
Conveying Resume Content in a Brand-encompassing Way
Traditional resume formats, with their emphasis on job titles, don't best encapsulate my brand persona. Nonetheless, some networking boards insist on them, so I've created a series of Pixel Relish "resumes," the specific focus and nuances within each customized per situation.
