Meet
John Stichnoth
Senior Art Director & 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.
Although I have not held a formal management role, I have run my own business for more than 15 years and have 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.
Outside work, I love spending time with my family and our mischievous dog in Overland Park, Kansas, and beyond.
Testimonials
"I’ve known John for nearly 30 years and we fortunately reconnected a few years back while I was seeking graphic design assistance. Without hesitation, John has become an invaluable resource to my organization. He brings a wealth of design and business experience to every project he handles. From catalog production to trade show graphics to web design and more, John has proven to be a trusted partner at every turn. Even as a contractor, he always dives in head first eager to learn, assist and recommend as if he were a full time employee. His commitment, professionalism and dedication are truly commendable. The only thing that would hold me back from recommending John is the possibility of him working less with me. But, of course, that’s for strictly selfish reasons. John is the best and deserves the best. Any organization in need of an experienced and talented artist, business leader and all-around exceptional individual would be fortunate to have him in the fold."
BRIAN BERNS / SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER
DOD TECHNOLOGIES
This is an addendum to a previous recommendation I made for John, and I feel compelled to add it now that we've had more time to work together. I appreciate wholly what he brings to the table.
As a very busy comms director who is also doing a lot of the work myself, my days move fast. What I get with John, in addition to smart design that matches our brand and shows out really well, is someone who understands the strategy. He provides much-needed checks and balances for me as chaos and speed amplify at what sometimes feels like an exponential rate.
He's a first rate designer/art director but his head is always in the game at a much higher level. I can hand projects off to him and trust him to think through it from top to bottom so we come out looking really good. And smart.
SCOTT COTTER / DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
ALPHAPOINTE
"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 / MARKETING DIRECTOR
KY3
"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 / FORMER WEBMASTER
SCOUTING AMERICA, HOAC, TROOP 218
BUSINESS & CREATIVE CONSULTANT
MIDWEST MIXTAPE CO.
"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