Design: Jobs Landed

In my new position, I will head KDG’s ever growing Interior Design Department and be instrumental in establishing KDG’s Interior Design direction and will have the department reporting to me.  In addition, my new role includes the overall management of the firm’s Procurement Studio.

As the Interiors Director, I will be leading both the Interior Design Studio and the company’s Procurement Studio.  As a newly named Associate, I join the executive team and will now be directly involved in the management of the company with a special focus on marketing and public relations.

I would say that the reason my husband and I decided to move downtown was because of my work here at Kraemer Design Group, I am a eco geek and I wanted to be able to reduce my carbon footprint by moving close enough to work where I could walk and get rid of a vehicle.

Doodle Home is an online interior design and luxury home furnishings destination for consumers, designers and manufacturers. We give consumers inspirational and educational tools, a personally curated selection of luxury products and will connect them with interior designers upon request. We give designers a platform to reach new clients, additional exposure and are announcing a few more tools in the next few months. Lastly, for the manufacturers and showrooms, we provide access to new audiences through a new channel while still preserving their brand values.

Finding this job was like a dream come true! I get to mix my passion for design and love of marketing at the same time. As Director of Sales and Marketing, I work on all of our marketing, advertising and social media campaigns as well as our website content. Since we are a new business, there are so many opportunities out there for us – it’s finding the right ones that are the right fit. I was recently asked to describe “my typical day” and I had to laugh… there is no “typical day” at Doodle Home!  Every day is different and rewarding in its own way – I’m constantly learning and NEVER bored.

We recently moved into our new office in the Madison Building (which we designed!) downtown Detroit with other Quicken Loan family companies such as Detroit Venture Partners and Detroit Labs.  The city is so alive right now and there is so much to do; it’s been such a great time!

The best career advice I could give anyone is to go after what you love. I was in a job that I was unhappy in but afraid to leave because I kept hearing no one was hiring because of the economy. When I was forced to look elsewhere, I found Doodle Home. Now I get to go to work every day, doing what I love, surrounded by great people.  It can’t get much better!

I joined Kraemer Design Group, PLC in the summer of 2011, after working as a licensed Interior Designer for 10 years in the Metro Detroit area. I am native to the area and feel strongly about being involved in the "Rebirth" of the city. I graduated from Lawrence Technological University with a Bachelors of Science in Interior Architecture. I received my National Council of Interior Design certification (NCIDQ).
 
I have extensive experience in the hospitality design market ranging from 3 to 5 star properties. I have excellent organizational skills that easily allow me to merge seamlessly into the team approach at any stage of the design process.

Having grown up in the Metro Detroit area, I have always had a passion for the bustling nature of the city.  While attending the University of Detroit Mercy I participated in the Polish study abroad program where I was exposed to a completely different style of life and culture.  There I came to realize the true meaning of urban living, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse.  After graduating in 2008 from UDM's School of Architecture, with my Master's in Architecture, I chose to continue my education at UDM with a second Master's degree in Intelligence Analysis, with a concentration in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.  I began working for Kraemer Design Group upon completion of my studies in Intelligence Analysis, and is currently in the process of working towards becoming a registered architect.

As Art Director at Web Litho Printing & Mailing, it is my responsibility to oversee and execute visual development and design of client branding and promotional programs, ranging from simple direct mail campaigns to multi-page catalogs and elaborate identity packages. Web Litho is fortunate enough to have a tremendous base of well-respected clients from a wide array of industries, which provides a constant outlet for new ideas and a steady stream of exciting design challenges. The majority of projects that cross my desk are graphic design and branding programs, however I am also responsible for web development, prepress production, IT, purchasing and more.

Web Litho Printing & Mailing is a great company to work for, and is well-known in the community for its commitment to local charities. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, we specialize in just about every type of printed media imaginable, including annual reports, bound books, brochures, direct mail and marketing collateral. When I came on board back in 2008, Web Litho began to increase its presence in the design market, and now offers branding, graphic design and web solutions. I am very fortunate to be at a company that respects my work and provides me with an authority over the direction we take with our design clients.  

In addition to my role at Web Litho, I also do freelance design and web development work. More information can be found at my website, www.josephmaniaci.com

Upon my arrival back to Detroit, I interviewed with Denise Ilitch for a Social Media position for her growing brand, Denise Ilitch Designs.  The moment I met Denise I knew I had to work for her. Her energy and entrepreneurial attitude is contagious.  My official position is Director of Social Media; which is digital marketing (promoting online sales, e-marketing through facebook, twitter, linked in and other social media tools).  Also, I launched Denise's personal blog www.deniseilitch.com. In addition to Social Media I assist in creative development of the Denise Ilitch Designs brand.  Coming from the New York fashion industry it's exhilarating to be at the forefront of a growing fashion brand based in Detroit!  

As we were growing Denise Ilitch Designs online presence we realized what an opportunity there was in the social media sector.  Thus, Denise & I decided to launch a social media consulting agency where we help other companies synergize their traditional marketing with social media marketing and establish specific social media strategies to their industry.

Every day is a little bit different at Skidmore because of the nature of how we work – meaning with lots of different clients in lots of different mediums. In addition to marketing strategy, my main role at Skidmore is copywriting. This could include anything from naming a new product or writing a headline for an ad to writing a website or radio script.

Besides the great office space, Skidmore is different from other places I've worked because I can actually collaborate with the designers and illustrators that will be working on the projects. In addition to making my day a lot more interesting, working through each project as a team really makes a difference in what we come up with.

I design for web and print. I strive to create usable websites that are emotionally driven and inspired.

There was no doubt in my mind that I would open my business in South East Michigan I just really thought it was going to be a coffee shop.  As it turns out my true passion is floral design, fresh unique, modern floral design.  My job as owner of Sweet Pea is to meet with future brides and create a custom floral proposal for their big day.  After that I get elbow deep in buckets of blooms and boxes of blossoms and go into a floral trance that results in a collection of artful bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces etc.  I love delivering and setting up for weddings, I always feel caught up in the excited energy that surrounds a wedding and the happy anticipation of everyone else around.  My favorite thing about my job as lead designer is the creative outlet that this provides for my inner artist it is very satisfying to dream something up and then make it happen.  Flowers are the perfect medium for a Jesus freak like me too, I find so much truth and beauty in the natural and being surrounded by it day to day is completely inspires me.

I help individuals find solutions for interior and spatial challenges. I specialize in design, planning and communications.
 
I enjoy working in metro Detroit because it has a small town feel with big city qualities. I love Detroit architecture and technological history. I live in downtown Detroit and have the privilege of witnessing the evolution of the Riverwalk, TechTown, Dequindre Cut and creative arts district.
 
I found my job via Monster.com. I have been practicing design for 6 years. Working for Gorman's came natural because the company has a 70 year reputation of offering quality and style.
 
People are the most important element of design. I like working for Gorman's because I am surrounded by creative people that are full of industry experience. I am a firm believer of collaboration. At Gorman's I work as an individual in a team environment. Synergy is created when I am able to bounce ideas off of my colleagues.
 
In addition, the assortment of furnishings available at Gorman's is so broad, I am able to offer my clients an array of solutions without being limited to a certain brand or style category.

As the Graphic Designer and Partner at FWD, I am responsible for research, design and production of projects as well as managing client accounts.

I am the showroom manager of DeGiulio Industries' Plymouth showroom. With a background in cabinet-making and installation, I am currently designing, selling, and project managing kitchen and bathroom projects.  It is always great to see the smile on the homeowners face when you can make their design concept become a reality for them to enjoy.  Working in this field has been such a pleasure.  Not only from building relationships with the homeowners but also with suppliers and other professionals in the industry.   

As a Web Developer I develop production-level websites and IT interfaces for a variety of small size to large size clients. I collaborate with clients on design and development and I am in charge of direct production procedures according to a schedule to meet all client expectations. Other roles I fulfill include online marketing, e-commerce development, branding and advertising, graphic design and interactive design.

I am a partner and designer at FWD.  FWD concentrates on Graphic Design, Branding, Interactive & Web Design, Email Marketing, and Internet Marketing.

As a studio director at Kraemer Design Group, I oversee projects of all sorts, many of them located in downtown Detroit and the surrounding area.  Our work includes among other things: hospitality (especially hotels), corporate offices, and multi-family housing. Being located in Detroit, one of our particular specialties is re-imagining and renovating historic buildings for new uses.

My most recent project, the renovation of Eastern Market’s Shed 3, was an especially satisfying experience. Two things in particular struck me - first was the enthusiasm expressed by many passersby as they saw the building restored to its original beauty.  The other was the obvious pride and attention to detail that the construction trades took in their work.  These two things reflected the importance the Eastern Market has had in the lives of many Detroiters.  I am fortunate that my job allows me to have an active roll in the ongoing improvement of the great city of Detroit.