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Designed for the Brand. Built for the Store.

Leveraging deep roots in visual merchandising to create signage, displays, and environments that are as operationally sound as they are visually captivating.

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ABOUT ME

My design philosophy was born on the sales floor, not in a studio.

Where It All Started...

While working as a Visual Merchandiser and Associate Manager for Pier 1 Imports, I experienced firsthand the disconnect that often exists between corporate vision and store-level execution. I saw beautiful concepts fail because they didn’t account for the realities of the physical environment.

That experience sparked a career-defining goal: to move to the other side of the process and create designs that aren't just visually stunning, but operationally seamless.

Today...

With over 15 years of experience spanning architecture, theater production, and experiential marketing, I bridge the gap between "blue sky" creativity and practical constructability.

I combine a theatrical eye for storytelling with the technical precision of an architect. whether I’m rendering a high-fidelity 3D walkthrough or detailing a POP display, my focus remains the same: empowering brands with immersive environments that work as well in the real world as they do on the screen.

John at Pier 1 Imports

Me, early in my career. Pier 1 Imports #562 Bloomington, IL

WHAT I DO

Transforming ideas into tangible, immersive experiences.

Architecture & Interior Design

Architecture & Interior Design

I leverage a deep foundation in spatial principles to translate conceptual visions into buildable realities, managing everything from FF&E selection and custom millwork to comprehensive construction documentation. My focus is on delivering structurally sound, code-compliant environments that maintain high aesthetic integrity.

Retail Store Design & Planning

Retail Store Design & Planning

I execute the strategic layout of high-volume retail spaces, balancing operational efficiency with optimized customer flow to maximize sales per square foot. My expertise lies in adapting prototypical plans to diverse site conditions, ensuring brand consistency and functional excellence across hundreds of locations.

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3D Visual Designer (In-Store Marketing)

I bridge the gap between creative ideation and physical production by crafting high-fidelity, photorealistic 3D renderings that sell the concept before it’s built. From point-of-purchase displays to immersive scenic brand activations, I visualize compelling environments that engage consumers and drive merchandising strategy.

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Brand Experiences

Our team ensures that your mobile app is thoroughly tested and meets the highest quality standards.

PROFESSIONAL RESUME

Career Summary

Sr. Art Director - 3D Environments

UPSHOT Agency
Chicago, IL | 2017-23

  • Primary agency resource for 3D visualization of proposed retail spaces and brand activations, brand and product marketing, from concept to visualization to fabrication.
  • Designed 3D concepts for in-store displays, endcaps, and immersive brand shows. Created realistic renderings and animations to present these ideas to clients and internal teams.
  • Developed a standardized "kit of parts" for recurring brand experience shows. This efficiency reduced costs on basic structural elements, allowing the budget to be redirected toward high-quality, custom scenic features.
  • Produced full construction document sets for bid, permit, and construction including fire department exiting plans for events of 5,000 people.
  • Managed the fabrication process by reviewing shop drawings, material samples, and value engineering options. Conducted scene shop and site visits to ensure the final build matched the design intent.
  • Partnered with art directors and copywriters to translate marketing strategies into visual solutions that met client briefs and drove sales.
  • Applied expertise in retail operations and consumer behavior to ensure layouts were not only visually compelling but operationally functional.

Design Manager

ULTA Beauty, Inc.
Bolingbrook, IL | 2008-13

  • Designed interior layouts and exterior storefronts for over 200 new ULTA Beauty locations, adapting prototypical plans to meet site conditions, tenant guidelines, and building codes using SketchUp and AutoCAD.
  • Presented floor plans and design concepts weekly to the CEO and executive team for final approval.
  • Collaborated with Marketing, Merchandising, Construction, and Procurement to align designs with operational needs, in-store marketing, and brand standards.
  • Built and maintained a database containing over 100,000 data points, serving as the single source of truth for physical store attributes.
  • Developed holiday floor plans in coordination with Visual Merchandising and Operations to guide store teams on the placement of seasonal merchandise, signage, and graphics.

Designer

Gensler
Chicago, IL | 2004-08

Retail branding & concept development, fixture design, design development drawings, construction documentation & administration.

  • Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy 6,000-18,000 sf
  • Bank of America 1,000-4,500 sf
  • Raceline Motorworks 4,500-5,000 sf Multiple Locations
  • Strategic Hotels Retail Boutiques 1,000-2,500 sf

Designer

Campbell Gray Design
Chicago, IL | 2014-17

  • FF&E, client presentations, site survey
  • 3D visualization and renderings
  • Millwork and cabinetry design and detailing
  • Construction documents

Job Captain

IA Interior Architects
Chicago, IL | 2013-14

  • Schematic & design development drawings
  • Construction documentation & administration

Visual Merchandiser, Associate Manager

Pier 1 Imports, Multiple Locations | 5 years

  • Exceeded Pier 1 Imports customer service and visual merchandising standards resulting in outstanding performance reviews on two separate occasions.

Key Skills and Competencies

01. Retail Innovation & Brand Experience

Translating brand strategy into high-impact, tangible environments.

  • Experiential Design: Conceptualizing and developing immersive brand activations, including pop-up shops, large-scale scenic events, and trade show environments.
  • Strategic Store Planning: Optimizing customer flow, adjacencies, and spatial logic to maximize dwell time and sales conversion.
  • Visual Merchandising Strategy: Designing high-visibility POP displays, endcaps, and fixture systems that drive impulse purchases and product interaction.
  • Spatial Storytelling: Leveraging a background in theatre production to create emotive, narrative-driven spaces that connect consumers to the brand identity.

02. Advanced 3D Visualization & Rendering

Bridging the gap between conceptual sketches and built reality.

  • Photorealistic Rendering: Creating distinct, high-fidelity visualizations (V-Ray, SketchUp) that allow stakeholders to approve designs with confidence before fabrication.
  • Immersive Walkthroughs: Developing 3D animations and digital walkthroughs to communicate spatial relationships and design intent.
  • Concept Development: Rapidly translating Art Director sketches and marketing briefs into workable 3D volumes and environments.
  • Digital Materiality: Expert application of lighting, texture, and materials within digital models to mimic real-world environmental conditions.

03. Architectural Design & Technical Execution

Ensuring design integrity from schematic phase to final installation.

  • Construction Documentation: Producing precise construction drawings, detailed floor plans, and elevation schedules for contractors and fabricators.
  • Fabrication Oversight: Extensive knowledge of materials (wood, metal, acrylic, sustainable substrates) and fabrication techniques to ensure designs are buildable and budget-compliant.
  • Code & Compliance: Application of commercial building codes and ADA requirements to ensuring accessibility and safety within public spaces.
  • Value Engineering: Collaborating with production partners to refine designs for cost-efficiency without sacrificing aesthetic impact.

Education & Accreditation

LEED AP

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

  • LEED Accredited Professional – Legacy Credential

Bachelor of Science

Illinois State University, Normal, IL

  • Interior and Environmental Design

Bachelor of Science

Illinois State University, Normal, IL

  • Art/Theater Production

MY WORK

Agency and Architecture & Interiors Projects