For the past 10 years I’ve had the honor of spearheading creative for a multitude of amazing projects and products while collaborating with some ridiculously talented humans.
For the past six years I have overseen dozens of projects ranging from whole-hog branding efforts, to responsive websites, to native mobile apps, to interactive live activations at festivals. I’ve built and managed a team of Creative Directors and designers (both on-site & remote), implementing workflows, frameworks and tools that best serve our work. Interfacing directly with clients from initial ideation, I’ve usher each project through assuring all set business goals are met.
At the conception of every project, I work with project managers and product owners to conduct industry landscape research, dissect business goals and survey stakeholders. I get to know the user base and help identify the target audience. These are the building blocks upon which the whole project stands. From there we can hit the ground running on user flows and content strategy. Read more about my UX approach & thoughts about UI Design.
This is where it all started for me. I get sad when days pass without opening Sketch, Figma or Photoshop. I enjoy shepherding projects but it’s important for me to be boots on the ground as well, always flexing my design eye. In our industry it’s paramount to put user experience, business goals and KPIs to the forefront… but at the end of the day, if the output is not visually appealing you’re ultimately losing the war.
As a byproduct of my work I am well versed in various project management methodologies and have helped develop roadmaps for multiple large scale products. I believe that there’s a time and place for all PM schools of thought, and that the key is closely adhering to the path chosen. Did I mention that I also make a killer stand-in scrum master?
Yes, it’s a real skill… and it’s not for everyone! I’ve been managing a team of Creative Directors and designer from all sides of the country for the last four years. With the right tools and a real dedication to collaboration it can be exceptionally effective and beneficial. Working in your PJ bottoms is just an added bonus.
My career began as an extension of an internship that I took while at Pratt Institute and since then it’s been a personal mission to keep passing that baton. I’ve made it a priority to conceive and manage internship programs at my places of employment. It’s a rewarding experience, but it also brings extraordinary value to students graduating with skewed expectations for their careers.
Originally from Moscow, Russia, I immigrated to the U.S. when I was 11 years old. I lived in Queens NY up until three years ago when I uprooted my life and moved to San Diego with my husband and our two rambunctious dogs.
I grew up in a family of artists, and knew I wanted to be a visual artist from a very young age. While attending high school I received a classical art eduction from the Bridgeview School of Fine Arts. I then got my Bachelors in Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, majoring in Graphic Design (with a minor in Art History). I got turned on to digital by means of a Flash web design class my senior year and things escalated from there.
I’m passionate about what I do. It’s never been just a means to an end. When I am not working, I am looking for any excuse to jump on my bike, a 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100. Read about why I ride.
Club Pilates, Pilgrimage Yoga, Triumph, Babes Ride Out, MotoFAM, Starbucks & dog kisses.
Minor in Art History. Graduated with Honors. Semester abroad with Pratt in Venice. Freelance Web Designer for Pratt’s Center for Sustainable Design Studies.
Completed various classical academic fine art drawing & painting courses.