1984-1986
Art Director

1986-1988
Senior Art Director

In the '80s Scandinavian Design was the most successful home furnishings retailer on the east cost having over 60 stores from Maine to Virginia. I always admired their work, so after discovering the ups and downs of agency life I decided to see what "in-house" was all about. Scando, as we affectionately called it, had a distinct look, big budgets, and a small ten-person team of writers, art directors, paste-up artists, and a media buyer. The company treated their employees like family and I worked with wonderful people who, to this day, I still call friends. We did some great work together but unfortunately the company stumbled in the late '80s and was forced to liquidate. Luckily, Bose caught me just before SD's doors closed.

Responsibilities

• Concept: The company's founder Bob Darvin had an appreciation for good advertising, so in addition to price/item ads we were able to do creative that was attention-getting and fun.
• Layout: I certainly became an expert at drawing rooms full of furniture!
• Photo art direction: At the peak of the company's success we were doing two week photo shoots every month. We'd roll a forty-footer up to John Holt Studio in Boston and literally move in. It was great fun and I made some life-long friends in the process.
• Print buying and production: The art directors at SD had to buy all printing for their projects. From simple silk screen posters to multi million run web press circulars. I spent many late night press checks in glamorous places like Altoona Pennsylvania and Lansing Michigan.

Accomplishments

• I had my first taste of management when I was promoted to Senior AD, taking on the day-to-day management of the paste-up artists and typesetter.
• I became an expert at photo art direction. Two weeks out of every month in a photo studio ya gotta learn something!
• I became a print production expert. Planning, budgeting, sourcing, negotiating, quality control, and delivery. I know how to get it done and done well.

> Portfolio of work from Scandinavian Design