I believe a brand is only as strong as the story they tell.
Creative Strategy Director at Storyhorse
For 2 ½ years I worked as the lead to both brand strategy and creative design team members in helping clients shape their brand story and apply it consistently and cumulatively across all visual and verbal expressions of their brand.
Innovation Executive at Salesforce Ignite
For 5 years I worked directly with C-suite level executives at some of the world’s largest brands to help them understand and reframe their biggest innovation challenges.
Lead Comms Designer at Gravitytank
For 2 ½ years I worked across multi-disciplinary project teams on focused project sprints. Used design thinking and human centered principles to help clients develop product and service offerings and unlock their innovation pipelines.
Senior Designer at Landor
For 8 ½ years I worked with an ownership role with key clients helping shape their overarching brand strategy across all expressions from initial concept through production.
I’ve amassed 19 years of experience working with some of the world’s most influential brands.
Walmart, Google, PepsiCo, P&G, Disney (NBCU), Ford Auto Parts, Cisco, Motorola Solutions Inc., Frito Lay, Kraft Foods, ConAgra, Cigna, Fidelity, Expedia, CarMax, Cox Automotive, MassMutual, SunTrust (now Truist), Western Southern, Adidas, Always, Crest, Gillette, Johnson’s Baby, Jell-O, Oscar Mayer, Tide, Vicks, Clinique, Pantene, Similac, Eukanuba, Iams, Febreze, Miracle Whip, Planters, Quaker, Ritz, Doritos, Capri Sun, Lunchables, Pedialyte, Sour Patch Kids, Old Spice, Infiniti, Starbucks Ready-to-drink, Farmers Insurance, Univision, Cognizant, BelVita, Bonobos, Canopy by Hilton, Hilton, Hilton Owners Club, Hilton Supply Management, Spark by Hilton, Tapestry, Salesforce Ignite, Rich’s, SurePayroll, WorkDifferently, World Business Chicago, 15sixty, Aussie Men, Carnegie, CCGA, CCNY, Cranium, Democratic National Convention, DiGiorno, End Citizens United, Four Loko, Freed Associates, FuelUpToPlay60, FXD, Global Handwashing Day, Google Vertex, InvestBev, Loadsmart, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Never Again, Old Arthur’s Barbecue, Perkins School for the Blind, Peter Pan, Pinnacle, Pluie, Relias, Scout Alarm, Secret, Studio Sage, and Whym.
I’ve had incredible mentorship along the way.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Aaron for nearly three years and have gained so much in that time. He is an incredibly strategic thinker, a very thoughtful communicator and a gifted designer. He understands the value of storytelling, both in the brand world and on a personal level, which makes him a dynamic presenter. He takes a vested interest in the development of other team members and always operates with an eye toward their growth.”
Liza Nikitas, President of Storyhorse
“I had the pleasure of working with Aaron at both Salesforce and gravitytank. He is a gifted designer who excels at translating research insights into compelling designs. Aaron has a unique ability to identify and articulate unsaid tensions, thanks to his keen observation skills in human behavior. He confidently shares his insights in a constructive manner, fostering a collaborative environment. Aaron is also a natural leader, consistently helping to develop talent in design, research, and strategy within his teams.”
Ann Hintzman, VP Digital Strategy & Design at Salesforce Ignite
“Design and strategy. Two words common today, but it is rare to find a strategic designer (and one that is truly world class). That’s Aaron. A deep listener and thinker, he sees the world differently, creates brilliant, simple solutions and on top of that is a real pleasure to work with.”
Jason Wild, SVP of Transformation & Innovation at Salesforce Ignite
“Aaron has an uncanny ability to embody a brand's values in a compelling design language. He's as capable in solving the systemic challenges of Fortune 500 brands as he is creating a new brand identity for a smaller, fast growing brand.”
Chris Conley, Co-founder of Gravitytank
“Aaron is strategic and critical in his thinking, and is able to see the big picture when designing systems, or components within systems. He is also a gifted writer, and is able to personify brands verbally. Finally, he is a culture guy, meaning he throws himself all the way in, and understands his capacity to be a positive force culturally, and add to the overall energy and vibe of a studio's culture.”
Mary Zalla, CEO of Landor
“Aaron is the kind of designer that enriches the overall agency experience. He’s not just a designer tooling away in Photoshop or kerning type until kingdom come. He makes bigger, broader contributions. His curiosity means he thinks and considers things all the time – related to his own obligations but also the larger problems we’re challenged with. His passion drives him to get it right, so he doesn’t tune you out and he doesn’t give up. His demeanor and (I have to believe) his upbringing exposes any team he’s on to his dedication, respect, his commitment to always doing better, and, importantly, the calm and clever and geeky and wry way that he makes his way through the workday and out in the world.”
Christopher Lehmann, Executive Creative Director of Landor
I believe that gaming and role-play continue to sharpen my strategic and creative potential.
I fuel passion projects with my overflow of creativity.
Co-Founder of Neat Games
Created and published two successful board games on the Kickstarter platform, raising a total of $138,728 in funds from 6,480 backers, and was featured in the June 2020 issue of Wired Magazine.
Co-Founder of Dockside Brewing Co.
Over-sought the brand creation process and was directly involved in over 75 brewing sessions, which yielded an excess of 500 gallons in production for the agency and garnered 7 reputable brewing awards.
I invest in my personal growth.
Level C is the only professional credentialing program in brand taught by Marty Neumeier, the world’s leading expert in branding. His acclaimed book ‘The Brand Gap’ has influenced 23 million readers, category-leading brands, and methods of modern business.
Their five-tier series of masterclass teaches core principles of brand-building across the disciplines of design, strategy, management, education, and leadership. Each masterclass focuses on a specific area of brand, building on the level that came before it. You can read more about the Level C program and it’s credentials here.