When you work with Design Annex, you work with me and only me, sometimes with a few additional folks like photographers, web developers and writers when needed. So, I thought you should know a little about me.

 

Growing up and living in St. Louis, Missouri, enables me to really understand and care about the future of our community. I will indulge the local tradition and tell you that I graduated from Ladue High School in 1984. Now you do can the math and know my age. Outside of school, I was very involved in a temple youth group and a Jewish summer camp in Zionsville, Indiana, which would later serve me well as I currently work with many organizations in the Jewish community.

 

I attended Washington University in St. Louis, where I surrounded myself with other students who took college seriously and had high aspirations, and enjoyed a plethora of professors, especially in the art school, who inspired and motivated me.  In 1988, I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Communication.

 

Securing a graphic design job at HOK Architects (Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum) was a perfect fit for me as a recent design school graduate. Working in a world-class architecture firm enabled me to thrive in an environment filled with talented architects, interior designers and graphic designers. While there, I gained experience in signage, exhibit design and print collateral.

 

In the summer of 1992, I backpacked through Europe. Traveling alone, I set out my own path to explore 8 countries. Having the freedom to see this part of the world was a dream come true and provided me with a view of culture and history that I could not get in college or work.

 

Upon my return, I joined The Falk Design Group (now known as Falk Harrison). I started as a graphic designer and worked my way up to Associate Creative Director while working with companies such as Monsanto, Sprint, Paraquad, Thermadyne and others. Learning the art of annual report design, I mastered working with tight deadlines, meticulous attention to detail and budgeting. Under the tutelage of Bob Falk, I learned firsthand how to treat clients as partners and developed a devotion to client satisfaction.

 

To continue my successful design career but gain more flexibility for my growing family, I established Design Annex in 1998. Staying true to my past and maintaining high design standards shows in all my work. I have built a client base that returns year after year and is always expanding. I hope you’ll be one of them.