CLASS CREATIVE

Class A Creative builds the marketing tools, products and messaging that help our clients build their businesses. This small, but mighty, Ohio agency offers high-caliber marketing and design services with the competitive pricing you are looking for.
Marketing, communications
and design that is smart, polished and idea-driven.

BUILDING BRANDS ONE PROJECT AT A TIME

Designed and co-developed the Dayton Development Coalition Innovation Index, a comprehensive publication translating complex regional economic, workforce and innovation data into clear, accessible infographics and narratives. The book brought together data from across the region to create a shared understanding of Dayton’s innovation ecosystem, challenges and opportunities, serving as a strategic tool for civic leaders, policymakers and economic development partners.

For 14 years, I have played a central role in designing and connecting the Dayton Development Coalition’s Annual Meeting report and Economic Review to the community. My work spans print publications, digital storytelling and large-scale stage visuals that translate complex economic data into clear, compelling narratives. The Annual Meeting is consistently a sold-out event, drawing the region’s most influential business, civic and military leaders.

This project brought together multiple community organizations to tell a shared story through food with a full regional dining guide created in partnership with the Dayton Metro Library, Welcome Dayton, The Collaboratory and Ethnosh, showcasing ethnic restaurants, international markets and food trucks operating throughout the region. The publication and website combined clear wayfinding, thoughtful typography and vibrant visuals to make the guide easy to use.

In 2018–2019, I directed the brand redesign for the Dayton Art Institute as part of its centennial celebration. This project established a refined visual identity and flexible design system to broaden audience engagement and reflect the museum’s historic significance. The work, anchored in a modernized logo and cohesive visual language, earned local, state, regional and national recognition, including a prestigious American Graphic Design Award.

Designed and illustrated numerous editorial covers for local publications over more than 25 years, including the Friday GO! entertainment section. Work combines illustration, typography and concept-driven design to create eye-catching covers that capture the tone of each issue and helped define the visual identity of local arts, culture and entertainment coverage.

Designed and brought to life Clothes That Work’s mobile outreach bus a 38-ft “mission in motion” unit that carries up to 4,000 professionally donated outfits and takes job-readiness services directly into the community, helping eliminate transportation barriers and increase participation in workforce development programs. Clothes That Work CEO Cindy Garner noted that the creative concept and execution elevated the project and played a key role in its successful launch.

Designed comprehensive conference and trade-show visual systems for SOCHE, an Ohio-based higher-education consortium, creating cohesive signage, wayfinding and printed and digital materials for large-scale events. The work focused on clarity, accessibility and brand consistency, helping attendees navigate complex venues while reinforcing SOCHE’s mission and identity across the full conference experience.

Over more than 30 years have created high-impact infographics that brought data to life for a broad readership at the Dayton Daily News and COX Media Group. By combining journalistic insight with visual design, I translated complex topics into intuitive graphics for print and digital platforms. This sustained excellence in visual journalism earned state and national recognition, including awards for best informational graphics in competition with other leading news organizations.

Led the Dayton Art Institute’s award-winning marketing and communications efforts from 2013–2021, overseeing all aspects of brand expression and audience engagement. Responsibilities included the website, advertising, social media, event marketing and integrated campaign strategy. This comprehensive approach contributed to sustained growth in audience engagement, expanded market share and increased revenue, while strengthening the museum’s visibility and relevance.