My broad base of experience in Residential Construction, Engineering, and fifteen years in Advertising and Visual Arts allows me to easily combine functional needs with aesthetic desires.
I was born with a hammer in my hands and have been creating and building things ever since. Some of my favorite childhood toys were a workbench and tool set, Lincoln Logs, Erector Set and Tinker Toys. From an early age I was helping build things with my father and grandfather. I fondly remember helping build my family’s home when I was ten years old and working with my grandfather building custom homes during college summers.
I studied electrical engineering at Purdue University but soon found that I was more interested in creating visual things. A change in direction led to an education in media and visual arts, with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue.
I spent fifteen years in the advertising and visual arts field, founding my own design agency in 1993 and winning acclaim for my work for many clients. In 1999 I joined Direct Marketing Resources as Manager of Marketing Services, expanding the company’s creative services revenue and helped spin off my department to form Revolve, a direct marketing agency, becoming Director of Creative Operations.
My love of residential design was still active during this time and I found an outlet for it, helping renovate homes for friends and family. During a kitchen remodel on my own home, I realized that I needed to return to my roots and do what I loved for a living. I completed a kitchen design program through the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) in 2002 and have been designing kitchens, baths, custom cabinets, residential additions, renovations and complete homes ever since. Occasionally you might find me in the shop building custom electric guitars, one of my creative hobbies.
Allegretti Architects, Inc., Saint Joseph, MI, US, Architectural Designer
I do all the 3D modeling and rendering of custom residential homes and remodels in Revit. In addition, I create design documents and construction documents in Autocad, including floor plans, interior and exterior elevations, sections, detail drawings, mechanical, plumbing and electrical plans as necessary.
Lamar Design, Winter Park, FL, US, Senior Lead Designer / Senior Project Manager
As a Senior Designer and Project Manager, I wear many hats and I’m involved in almost all of the firm’s projects from initial consultations through the final construction documents. I’m proud to say that my work has produced many happy clients, in addition to receiving both national, regional and local awards.
My responsibilities include:
· Collaboration on all phases of projects, including programming client needs, feasibility and site research
· Creation and development of conceptual design ideas, space planning concepts and generation of program documents
· Schematic design development
· Creation of construction documents, including floor plans, elevation drawings, structural and detail drawings, mechanical and electrical plans
· Schematic kitchen design including detailed floor plans, cabinet and millwork specifications and cabinet elevations
· Collaboration with building and permitting officials during permitting and construction phases of project
· Preparation of graphic materials for presentations to clients
· Perform as-built inspections, field measurements and complete as-built documents for addition / renovation projects
· Perform field verifications and assist with site inspections for validation of design intent
· Work with consultants, contractors, fabricators and regulatory agencies to meet overall project objectives
· Assist in managing client expectations, team communication and consultant coordination
· Mentor and guide skill development of junior staff
· Create and manage marketing efforts, including website and social media
Steve Garrison Design, Winter Park, FL, US, Designer
Design of kitchens, baths and custom cabinets, including floor plans, elevations, mechanical and electrical plans in both 2D and 3D using Adobe Illustrator and VectorWorks 3D.
National Kitchen and Bath Association, Kitchen Design
Completion of Kitchen Design program
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, US, Bachelors, Advertising
I began my education in electrical engineering, but found that I was more interested in creating visual things. I changed majors and studied advertising, marketing, design, and communications.
Orlando Area Parade of Homes, 1st Place
First place for the remodel of a kitchen and family room in an existing home.
Chrysalis Award, 1st Place
National Winner for a kitchen remodel.
Aurora Award, 1st Place
Category winner for an addition and remodel to an existing residence from the Aurora Awards.
Aurora Award, 1st Place
Category winner for a kitchen remodel
Aurora Award, 1st Place
Category winner for an addition and remodel to an existing historic residence.
Orlando Area Parade of Homes, 1st Place
First place and Grand Award winner for a remodel of an existing home.
Qualified Remodeler Master Design Award, 2nd Place
Silver award from Qualified Remodeler for our outdoor entertaining pavilion in their Master Design Awards competition.
Parade of Homes Design Award, Award
Category winner for our addition/remodel of and existing home in the 2011 Orlando Area Parade of Homes
Aurora Award, Award
Category winner for an addition and remodel to an existing residence from the Aurora Awards.
Orlando Home and Leisure Magazine Bathroom of the Year, Award
Awarded Bathroom of the Year from Orlando Home and Leisure Magazine's annual Home of the Year competition in 2011.
Parade of Homes Design Award, Award
Design award for our category in the 2010 Orlando Area Parade of Homes for two of our projects, an addition/remodel of an existing residence and an outdoor entertaining pavilion.
