[ MY DESIGN PHILOSOPHY ]

MEET JENI

My design philosophy is simple: I design for the problem and my clients, not for myself. Every project begins with deep listening — to the brand, the audience, the goal, and the constraints that make the challenge real. I think of it as a puzzle. Clients bring the pieces and I bring the strategy, the craft, and the process to assemble something that's not only beautiful but purposeful. The best design doesn't announce itself. It just works — elegantly, efficiently, and exactly as intended.

[ HOW I GOT HERE ]

A CAREER BUILT ON CURIOSITY & CRAFT

My roots are in production and packaging — the kind of design work where precision isn't optional and brand standards are non-negotiable. Early in my career I worked with some of the biggest names in consumer goods and pharmaceutical manufacturing, including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Wyeth, and Unilever. It was rigorous, detail-oriented work that taught me early on that great design has to function in the real world — on a shelf, in a store, under a deadline, within a budget. That foundation shaped everything that came after it.

Over time my focus shifted from the production floor to the creative helm. Moving into agency life opened up the work — more industries, more disciplines, more variety in the problems to solve. I've since led creative teams across digital marketing, UX and web design, brand identity, collateral, email, and social — working with clients ranging from regional nonprofits to national tourism organizations. The throughline in all of it has been the same: listen carefully, lead with strategy, and deliver work that does its job beautifully.

[ HOW I GOT HERE ]

A CAREER BUILT ON CURIOSITY & CRAFT

Photography started as curiosity — a quiet urge to freeze time, to make fleeting things last a little longer. I didn’t know much about light, angles, or storytelling back then. I just knew how it felt to notice something beautiful — and want to keep it.

Over time, that quiet curiosity became a deeper passion. The camera turned into a companion — through early morning walks, family moments, city nights. I began to see how photographs could do more than document — they could connect, comfort, and remind.

Now, every photo I take still carries a bit of that first wonder — a beginner’s honesty. And in every story I document, I try to hold on to that same intention: to see fully, feel deeply, and remember quietly.

Resume

Paperkite | Jan 2013 - Present

Running creative and project management for a digital agency serving tourism and non-profit clients, including The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 1000 Islands International Tourism Council, Fenimore Art Museum, Fenimore Farm, Community Foundation of Otsego County, and Future for Oneonta. Own campaigns and design projects end to end, from brief to production, on time and on budget. Built and lead a team of designers and contractors, growing the creative team from 2 to 5. Optimized project management systems to track progress and streamline execution. Direct creative vision for branding, marketing, and collateral, tying every asset back to client business goals.

West Rock (Rock-Tenn Company) | Sept 2006 – Jun 2012

Joined a $10 billion packaging producer serving Johnson & Johnson, P&G, Unilever, Merck, and Pfizer. Selected as part of a core team pulled in network-wide for high-level concept work and presentations to current and prospective clients. Ran design workflow on the multi-million dollar J&J account, directing a team of 12 designers and managing daily account activity.

Vision Creative Group | Mar 2005 – Sept 2006

Jumped to Creative Director at an agency serving Wyeth, B&G Foods, Ferrero, Novartis, Casio, Schering-Plough, NicePak, and Pfizer. Directed a team of 5 art directors across packaging, consumer promotions, and print, keeping work aligned to brand objectives. Owned the workload: balancing timelines, client expectations, and budget across the team. Streamlined workflow processes to cut inefficiency and keep projects organized.

Tim-Bar Corporation | Apr 2003 – Mar 2005

Moved to Tim-Bar and expanded the client-liaison role beyond Wyeth to include Reckitt Benckiser, working directly with art directors on production needs. Owned P.O.P. design end to end: production scheduling, art traffic, project management, billing, and invoicing. Supported sales on vendor coordination to keep components on schedule.

Alliance/A Rock-Tenn Company | Jun 1999 – Apr 2003

Started as a designer at a packaging manufacturer serving Pfizer, Novartis, Nabisco, P&G, Revlon, Unilever, and Wyeth, then built the role into a client-embedded production and account function. Became the sole point of contact for Wyeth's artwork, managing design, preflight, and print prep. Negotiated payment terms and built invoicing procedures from scratch. Worked part-time on-site at Wyeth as an in-house design rep, solving problems directly for the client. Also managed workflow and trained new hires as the Graphics Department grew.