[ 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.

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

Paperkite is a digital marketing agency specializing in creative solutions for clients in tourism, food and beverage, and non-profit. They work with a diverse range of 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.

West Rock (Rock-Tenn Company)

One of the industry’s leading producers of corrugated and consumer packaging and recycling solutions with net sales of 10 billion dollars and a workforce of nearly 26,000 employees. Clients include, but are not limited to Johnson & Johnson, P&G, Unilever, Merck, and Pfizer.

Vision Creative Group

Advertising agency with clients such as Wyeth, B&G Foods, Ferrero, Novartis, Casio, Schering-Plough, NicePak and Pfizer.

Tim-Bar Corporation

Corrugated and permanent display company with clients such as Wyeth, Atkins, Kraft, Reckitt Benckiser, Dial, Coty, and Sportcraft.

Alliance/A Rock-Tenn Company

From user research and prototyping to product strategy and roadmapping, we offer end-to-end product consulting — bridging user-centered design with business objectives.