Designer at Upstatement
It felt like the stars aligned when I first met Mike Swartz. Mike was my web design teacher during my final semester at Mass Art. It just so happened that he runs Upstatement — a boutique, cross-disciplinary web design studio in Boston. Right before graduation Mike extended an invitation to interview for a design position. A few months later I joined the four-person team. My time at Upstatement was incredible. I gained a wealth of new experiences working on the web and running client projects. I was also able to do my fair share of the branding, poster design, and printmaking work that was in my wheelhouse.
Responsive Design for the Web
Upstatement is known for its work on responsive sites like BostonGlobe.com and NPR.org. Solving high-level problems for clients shared precedent with crafting the best code possible. I helped run, manage, design,and code client projects. From time to time I'm able to run, manage, design, and own most of the front-end development on a project. Dailyorange.com is a great example of putting all of these interests to work for a responsive redesign.
Design for Print
My first love was print design. I love designing for the web but there's no changing which of the two came first. I was fortunate that I was able to use this muscle rather often at Upstatement. On any given day I could be designing posters for Upstatement events or designing our letterpressed business cards. I'd even get to lend a hand in the branding department for clients.
Brand Manager
Part of my job was to help Upstatement look good. Early on I inherited the role of Upstatement's brand manager. This meant I'd help facilitate the look and feel of our image across print and the web. When new business cards needed to be designed, I was on it. When we decide we need stickers, custom table wraps, photos for our portfolio, or updates to our website I was stoked to help out. I also helped lead the charge via our social media accounts.
Director of Fun / Bric-a-Brac Department
My propensity for fun made me a fine candidate to facilitate any of the after-hours events for the team and the public at our studio. I also got to spearhead the initiative to make fun stuff whenever the holidays rolled around. This could mean I'd design the packaging, bric-a-brac, holiday cards, or microsites for special events.
