About Me
I've been fortunate to work at Penn State in the Auxiliary and Business Services Marketing Department since 1997. I started out as a designer and have been the Art Director since 2000. I work with very talented and creative people who have played a part in one form or another in many pieces that are part of my portfolio. I live with my wife and three boys in Bellefonte, a Victorian town about 13 miles east of University Park, Pennsylvania.
For as far back as I can remember, my dad always encouraged me to draw and paint. I had some success in some art contests in junior and senior high school, which propelled me to get a degree in graphic design from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. I worked at Bob Jones University Press right out of school for a couple of years designing marketing materials to help sell their textbooks. My wife and I wanted to be closer to our families, so we then moved to central Pennsylvania where I worked as a designer for a year at Murphy Communications, a full-service marketing agency. After a year there, I began at Penn State. I enjoy the wide range of work we do at Penn State, and am appreciative that we are always encouraged to continue developing our skills.
I get my inspiration from many artists and designers and have found that writing a design blog (heckadude.blogspot.com) has kept me on the lookout for more sources of inspiration. I've felt like a sponge soaking it all in. I am trying to apply what I am learning to my own design and illustration work so I can continue to improve.
Family Photo Op: My wife Suzanne and I try in vain to get our boys to cooperate for an Easter picture:
Will (goofing off), Micah (not looking), and Caleb (fingers in mouth). Oh well.
Testamonials
“I was part of two different businesses that hired Andy to do identities for us. Each team was delighted with his work. He's creative, smart, timely and a pleasure to work with. I recommend Andy without hesitation.”
“I notice many examples on your website of work that we did together while I was at the Bryce Jordan Center. Everything from concept to the final delivery of the project never seemed like work. I think that you have the amazing ability to just know what people want and to listen to what they have to say. It shows in the concepts that you present and it shows in the final work. I have always gotten such a lift out of seeing our ideas emerge from a thought or a drawing to the real thing. The Bryce Jordan Center has won many awards over the years but you know that behind every good arena is a good designer.”
“Andy is a highly talented, creative, and trustworthy employee. It's always a joy to see what he comes up with for each project -- new or repurposed. He's an excellent team player and is very thoughtful about each project. I would highly recommend using his services for any design or branding project..”
“I have been privileged to work with Andy for over 10 years. He is truly one of the best designers there is. His ideas are always fresh and creative. Andy’s work is well thought out and never a disappointment!”