SPECIALTIES
Brand Development
Art Direction
Graphic Design
Driving sales with traditional, non-traditional, and digital design, with 12+ years of agency and 16+ years of entrepreneurial (contract and freelance) experience. I am adaptable in design and direction with a growth mindset for your business needs. Inquisitive to learn the full scope and background stories, I explore outside the box, am meticulous in refining details, and multitask for shifting priorities. I am particularly good at wrangling and managing long-form projects due to my ability to see the big picture while honing in the fine details. Deadline-driven and budget-conscious. Articulate communication and presentation skills. I thrive on constructive criticism and cross-functional collaboration.
John Stichnoth
Senior Art Director and Graphic Designer
With a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking from Drake University, I have worked in the advertising industry since the mid-90s. I love design. I enjoy working with clients of any size on any project to assist with complete communication tactics for in-house, commercial, or consumer audiences. My clients, team, and supervisors have always said that my strengths add extra value to every project due to my understanding of the product or service. I do substantial research.
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Although I have not held a formal management role, I have run my own business for more than 14 years and had the privilege of mentoring junior designers. I take great pride in watching their growth. I've experienced many successes throughout my career, but none are as meaningful to me as the project I’m working on for you currently. What excites me most is contributing to your success.
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Outside work, I love spending time with my family and our mischievous dog. As the parent of a son active in Scouting America, I proudly support his troop by sharing my professional expertise and volunteering my time.
"I had the pleasure of working with John Stichnoth on a comprehensive digital and branding initiative, and I can confidently say his expertise in content development, information architecture, and user experience design made a significant impact.
John played a pivotal role in redesigning our website, ensuring an intuitive navigation structure and seamless process flows that greatly improved usability. His meticulous approach to information architecture helped organize content in a way that made resources easily accessible for both new and returning users. The response from users has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting how much easier it is to find information and navigate the site.
Beyond digital experience design, John took the lead in branding efforts for our troop, bringing a cohesive and professional look to multiple touchpoints. From trailer graphics and t-shirts to neckerchiefs, he ensured a strong, recognizable identity that reflected our mission and values. His work on the troop website, newsletter templates, and onboarding presentation further streamlined communication and enhanced engagement.
John’s ability to balance creativity with functionality is unmatched, and his dedication to the success of this project was evident in every detail. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a strategic thinker and a skilled designer who can elevate digital experiences and branding efforts alike."
MONIQUE FAROS / WEBMASTER
SCOUTING AMERICA, HEART OF AMERICA COUNCIL, TROOP 218
BUSINESS & CREATIVE CONSULTANT
MIDWEST MIXTAPE CO.
"I’ve known John for over 30 years. Not only is he a tremendous individual, his work and expertise in design has added great value to my company. He has supported many of my marketing efforts from catalog design to advertising to corporate branding. John invests in his projects and takes great pride in his work. Unlike many designers, he takes the time to understand your business objectives and goals. He’s not just looking to complete an assignment. That’s why I consider him as more than a designer and a valued extension of my team."
BRIAN BERNS / SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER
DOD TECHNOLOGIES
"I have worked with John for close to a decade now in two different organizations. I trust him implicitly to not just do a great design that fits the brand and looks fantastic, but to keep me on top of my game by questioning why we're doing what we're doing, and how we can do it better. When the world gets moving really quickly, I can count on him to make sure the details are nailed down and we hit the mark strategically as well as creatively."
SCOTT COTTER / DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
ALPHAPOINTE
"I've worked with John in several capacities, and on behalf of several different employers and clients. His work ethic and his attention to detail are beyond reproach; he would make an invaluable addition to any design or communications staff."
DAVID JONES / MANAGER, EDITOR, COPYWRITER
JOHN DEERE (retired)
"It has been a pleasure working with John on several collateral print and display graphics projects over the past 20 years. He has an excellent sense of effective design principles and extensive experience producing trouble-free art files for final production."
PAUL RAYMOND / OWNER
TIPS LLC
"John and I were paired together as a writer/designer team for 4 years, working with each other daily. His work was always superb, thoughtful, and way ahead of schedule. He handles multiple projects with ease and is meticulous when it comes to the details. John is also very easy to collaborate and get along with, making working with him a joy. He would be an amazing addition to any organization."
JOE MANZARI / MANAGER, PARTNERSHIP MARKETING
BASS PRO
TESTIMONIALS
SERVICES
Identity & Branding,
Print, Digital & Web,
Environmental & Exhibition
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
- Agriculture & Turf
- Animal Health
- Business to Business
- Construction
- Energy
- Environmental
- Financial Services
- Food
- Government
- Healthcare
- Industrial
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Mechanical
- Non-Profit
- Real Estate
- Retail
- Social Services
- Telecommunications
- Transportation