The work of graphic designers have risen above computer graphics as the world turns complex. The majority of these complexities could be eliminated by building human-centered solutions, and no one is more qualified than designers. Design gives arrangement to disorder. It is simple and efficient. With this particular power comes an opportunity for designers to act as social innovators.
As Designers tackle social problems beyond producing commercial advertisement campaigns, being able to conduct, and synthesize research - integrating findings into a design process is optimal. For Designers to thrive in their careers, they should continually engage sophisticated tools like market research, field ethnography, and collaborative analyses to understand their users, thus inculcate their feedbacks in project development.
Today, both domestic and foreign users rate the price of a product, or service to the level of their interactive experience. Poor user reviews on social media platforms are collapsing business enterprises. The importance of user satisfaction confirms the words of Thomas Watson Jr (second president of IBM), "good design is good business." This is not to say that users dogmatize designers, and designers manipulate users. However, understanding the needs of users to provide an anticipated experience will give designers the creative space to express themselves as artists.
The future of Design is not clearly mapped out. As the digital environment thrives, what we think of as a perfect design attribute (user-centered) may change. The flow of information from digital devices may reduce human brainpower, increase distraction, and decrease human productivity. Designers will be challenged to find creative solutions that address digital pollutions. In all these, I urge designers to save LETTERPRESS and printmaking, for it is through this brevity that our journey is documented and our history preserved.
Education
Master of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Ohio University, 2022
Thesis: Identimatics; Mathematical Grammar of Kente Patterns
Bachelor of Arts, Communication Design, (Multimedia) KNUST, 2016
Thesis: Managing Access to Students' Residential Facilities
Certifications
UX Certification, University of California, Berkeley, 2024
UX, UI Certification, School of UX Design, London, 2022
Visual Arts Management, Ohio University, 2021
Professional Experience
Visual Multimedia Designer
Varian Medical Systems | Palo Alto, CA April 2022 – Present
• Led the UX design and content management for the Radiation Oncology Business Area intranet, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement and improved navigation efficiency.
• Delivered visual design support for 5+ business units, enhancing cross-departmental communication and consistency in branding.
• Directed and produced 20+ leadership communication videos, increasing viewer engagement by 50% among internal and external audiences.
• Collaborated on marketing materials for 3 major internal and external events, contributing to a 20% increase in participant attendance.
Lead User Experience Designer
Athens Copwatch | Athens, OH August 2020 - January 2022
• Facilitated weekly meetings with community members to refine user stories, improving user satisfaction scores by 20% through targeted design iterations.
• Delivered high-quality design assets, including 30+ sketches, sitemaps, user flows, wireframes, and mockups, streamlining the design process and reducing turnaround time by 15%.
• Developed 5 interactive prototypes for usability studies and conducted on-site research, resulting in actionable insights that improved app effectiveness by 30%.
Graphic Communications Designer
Ohio University | Athens, OH January 2020 – April 2022
• Partnered with marketing and PR teams to produce over 50 creative assets for print and digital platforms, leading to a 15% increase in social media engagement.
• Designed branded souvenirs that contributed to a 25% increase in funds raised during the School of Music's alumni fundraising initiatives.
• Revamped recruitment materials, aligning with Ohio University’s updated brand guidelines and improving application rates by 10%.
• Contributed to brainstorming sessions that developed and implemented 3 innovative student retention strategies, improving retention rates by 5%.
Communication Designer
Cohear | Cincinnati, OH June 2021 - January 2022
• Created engaging visual content for 20+ social media and email campaigns, achieving a 40% increase in audience engagement and interactions.
• Collaborated on and designed research reports for policymakers in Ohio, resulting in initiatives that improved community outreach.
• Conducted impactful design research on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, contributing to a 236% increase in vaccination rates in Columbus, OH.
Graphic Design Intern
Active | Kumasi, GH June 2013– December 2013
• Worked with senior designers and other team members on design projects, assets, and deadlines.
• Researched design trends and best practices.
• Assisted in designing marketing plans and design concepts for events, campaigns, and promotions.
• Prepared files for print production.
Skills
Research
Contextual Inquiry, Competitive Analysis, Persona, Journey Mapping, Responsive Design
Collaboration
Design Critique, Prototyping, Flow Analysis, Detail-Orientation, Communicative, Strategy and Vision Presentation
Design
Style Guide, Storyboard, Information Design/Architecture, Gestalt Principles, Visual Design, Motion Design
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema 4D, Figma, XD, Webflow, Powerpoint, Balsamiq, Miro, Maze
Honors and Awards
Student Enhancement Grant, $6000 | Ohio University, Athens OH, 2022
The Billman Award, $2500 | Ohio University, Athens OH, 2021,
Adobe EDU Design Achievement Award | California, 2019
Verified International Academic Qualifications, WES | New York, 2019
Graduate Recruitment Scholarship | Ohio University, 2019
Solo Exhibitions
Identimatics, Porter Hall, Pittsburg State University, Kansas, 2024
Global Arts Festival, Alden Library, Ohio University, Ohio, 2022
Identimatics, Ohio University Art Gallery, Ohio, 2022
Group Exhibitions
Storytime, Majestic Galleries, Nelsonville, Ohio, 2023
Legacy: Don Adleta and Karen Nulf, 60 years of Graphic Design, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University, 2021
Silver Lining, The Ohio University Art Gallery, Athens, Ohio, 2020
Precipice, Trisolini Gallery, Athens, Ohio, 2020
Open Studios, Ohio University School of Art + Design, Seigfred Hall, 2019
Open Studios, Ohio University School of Art + Design, Seigfred Hall, 2020
Publications
Identimatics; Mathematical Grammar of Kente Patterns, Lulu Press, 2022
Studies Interpreting the Feminine Form, Don Adleta, Lulu Press, 2021
Studies Interpreting the Masculine Form, Don Adleta, Lulu Press, 2021
Managing Access to Students Residential Facilities, KNUST Press, 2016
Research Assistantships
Assistant Design Researcher: Focus Visual Translation and Seeing Harmony, Don Adleta and Tricia Hennessey, Ohio University Press, 2024
Lead Design Researcher: Black Home Ownership in Columbus: Opportunities for Wealth Creation, Cohear, 2021·
Lead Design Researcher: Leading Change: The Cincinnati Art Museum as a Catalyst for Reconciliation and Inclusion, Cohear, 2021·
Lead Design Researcher: The Greater Cincinnati Foundation: Racial Equity and Economic Mobility, Cohear, 2021
Lead Design Researcher: 15 Years of Achievements: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Osei Akoto, 2015
Volunteer
Media Lead, Nsesa Foundation, Suacode.ai Kumasi, Ghana, 2021
Graphic Designer, Ohio University, Center for International Studies, Ohio, 2020
Curatorial Team, As Not For: Dethroning Our Absolutes, Ohio University Art Galleries, 2020
Multimedia Content Producer, CoolxDad - Texas, 2021
Graphic Designer, Mother of Mothers, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, Ghana, 2015