Visual Storyteller,
Graphic Artist,
+ Moon Maker
The Birth of the Moons
Moondrop came to life in 2017 and is a one-woman operation in Cleveland, Ohio. I create in my free time outside of my full-time day job as a graphic designer, advisor for public health (you can read more about that in the next section, The Graphic Artist). The story of Moondrop’s birth is from the combination of a broken heart, magical timing, and stepping out of my comfort zone into the free art scene in Atlanta, GA. I firmly believe I was in the perfect place to receive to a magical download of an idea. I relate it to what Elizabeth Gilbert describes in her book, Big Magic. In her chapter “How Ideas Work”, she calls the creative process “both magical and magic.” And that ideas are constantly floating around us, waiting for us to say yes. I was in a place where I was, as she said, “open and relaxed enough to actually receive something”. I started painting in the spring of 2017 to take my mind off that broken heart. Just like the advice offered from Carrie Fisher, I took my broken heart and made it into art. I was given a set of used paints and brushes and painted my very first watercolor painting—the moon. After a few more paintings, I decided to frame a set of 3 and set them outside in well-known places in my Cabbagetown Atlanta neighborhood to be picked up by fellow free art enthusiasts. (Check out the hashtag #fafatl on Instagram to see what I’m talking about.) The free art scene calls the art leave-behinds “drops”. And since my free art “drops” were moons, the name “Moondrop” was instantly mine. The rest of the story is me following the ebb and flow of living a creative life, the waxing and waning of motivation and productivity. I have always been drawn to the mystery, beauty, and darkness and light of the moon, the cosmos in general, and where our place is in all of it. These otherworldly expressions are from my soul, and I am so grateful to share them with the world.
The Graphic Artist
Driven by a core passion to serve the greater good, and where creativity, innovation, and collaboration spark, I strategically lead visual communication, ensuring impactful narratives that drive the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion's mission and align with the strategic priorities. I dedicate my talent and energy to intentionally crafting audience-centered communications that convey complex ideas and enhance well-being for internal and external audiences, going beyond aesthetics with an empathetic approach. My refined lens over 22 years prioritizes deep understanding to create lasting and meaningful impact.
For the past nine years, my commitment to art and design contributing to collective well-being has led me as a graphic designer and advisor for Peraton at CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, directing the creation of compelling visual stories for important health topics. Leveraging creative problem-solving and brand stewardship, I develop accessible infographics, data visualizations, social media graphics, presentations, and motion graphics that achieve desired outcomes. My work is rooted in a technical understanding of color, typography, balance, and clear messaging for intuitive interactions and brand vitality, informed by collaborative project management and trend awareness.
When solving complex design problems, my refreshing business sensibility allows me to create engaging design solutions that break through the clutter, connect with audiences, and drive desired outcomes across digital and print channels based on audience needs. My design process builds context and empathy through research and extensive requirements gathering, showcased in a portfolio ranging from public health to corporate materials and imaginative infographics/pitch decks. I'm adept at transforming concepts into compelling visual narratives and at ease navigating the constantly evolving landscape of design tools and trends.
Before my work with the Chronic Center, I played a central role in the CDC’s Zika Response, co-directing the creative design for all communication materials that were created during the emergency response. Prior to working at the CDC, I worked as a self-employed designer and art director in Atlanta, as the lead creative for a regional publishing house, and as a graphic designer at an advertising agency in Florida.
