Laura Allcorn
Content Strategist
Laura brings her affinity for collaborative storytelling, research, and design to support the production of studio projects. As a content strategist, she creates content, conducts research, and ensures the highest level of quality throughout a project. Prior to joining Second Story she worked at experience design, interactive, and event management agencies. Laura holds an MFA in Applied Craft + Design from Pacific Northwest College of Art and a BA in Marketing from Mount Union College. She's currently a student of improvisational theater.
Matt Arnold
Lead Integration Engineer
Matt provides the studio with engineering leadership specific to interactive hardware, sensors, and media electronics. With a strong engineering background in robotics design and sensor integration, he offers mechanical design and software solutions to projects, enabling the studio to create unique displays and innovative interactive environments. His programming skills and expertise in 3D modeling also allow him to play a leading role in development of real time graphics displays and large data visualizations. Matt received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Nora Bauman
Operations Manager
Left-brained by nature but passionate about storytelling and the arts, Nora thrives on helping creatives do their best work. As Operations Manager, she supports the studio, its projects, and its team members and provides business, marketing, and community outreach across multiple disciplines. Prior to joining Second Story, Nora worked in broadcast news and documentary production in New York City and the architecture and graphic design industry in Portland. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with a BA in English and Comparative Literature.
Julie Beeler
Founder
Julie is the co-founder of Second Story and with a background in visual design, art history, and the liberal arts, Julie leads the studio in shaping unique, innovative, interactive experiences that pique curiosity, spur discovery, and inspire audiences. Julie has defined and sustained an approach to interactive media design that focuses on reaching diverse audiences while pushing the limits of technological innovation. From concept through completion, Julie interacts with various industry disciplines, guiding the studio to realize holistic approaches to successful projects. Julie is a frequent speaker at various conferences and schools across the country on topics ranging from interactive design methodologies to usability and the marriage of rich content and technology. Julie graduated magna cum laude with a B.F.A. in Graphic Design and Art History from the University of the Pacific.
Elizabeth Bourke
Producer
Elizabeth’s passion for user-centered design and information architecture guides her collaboration with clients and internal teams to create inspirational, informative, and user-friendly experiences. Bringing a strong background in writing and research to the studio, she produces content for onscreen presentations, project documentation, and studio marketing endeavors. Her eye for detail and dedication to intelligent organizational strategies ensure that projects stay on track as they move through concept, design, and development. Elizabeth holds a BA in English from Reed College with a focus on Postmodern Literature and Criticism.
David Brewer
Web Technology Lead
David specializes in the creation of database-driven websites and content management systems. With over ten years of experience in web technologies, his skills include server specification and administration, database systems, web services, server-side programming in a variety of languages, and front-end development in JavaScript and CSS. In addition to implementing websites, he often provides administrative consoles and data services for on-site interactives. David has a BS with honors in Computer Science from Linfield College.
Chris Carlson
Interactive Developer
Chris is an interactive developer who designs and builds immersive software and expressive interfaces. His work draws upon a breadth of experience in the areas of interactive audio, mobile music, and physical computing and aims to inspire others to explore and create. Chris holds an MA from Stanford University's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics and a BS in Physics from James Madison University. Before his master's, he spent five years leading projects as a scientific consultant in the Washington, DC area.
Joe Carolino
Junior Experience Designer
Joe's experience across multiple disciplines has given him the tools to resolve design challenges in a variety of ways. With a background in fine art and graphic design, he has found a passion for the user experience in physical and digital realms. Joe's ability to create purpose-driven solutions supports the experience and design team in the execution of innovative interactive media projects. Joe graduated with a Senior Distinction Award from Oregon State University with his BFA in Applied Visual Arts.
Alex Cho
Senior Interactive Developer
Alex has a nomadic background in advertising/marketing strategy, graphic design and computer science/management information systems. He has six years experience as a full stack interactive developer accrued through his years working in agencies and freelancing. Using the latest in web technologies, along with his unique academic background and work experience, Alex's focus is on developing unique web experiences for the end user. He has a BA in both Advertising Management and Marketing from Portland State University.
Heather Daniel
Senior Producer
As a senior producer, Heather supervises projects from start to finish. She monitors schedules, facilitates communication, manages resources, and provides quality assurance. Heather’s exacting attention to detail, optimism, and talent for coordinating disparate parties ensures that each project results in a great experience for all involved. Before joining the studio, Heather worked as an interactive producer for a full-service advertising agency in Portland, where she oversaw website production and testing. Heather graduated magna cum laude with a BA in French and Journalism from University of Oregon and was a student in the UO Clark Honors College program.
Don Davies
Information & Technology Manager
Don is dedicated to helping information flow smoothly throughout the studio and ensuring that team members have the digital resources they need. He enjoys addressing challenges by combining his broad technical knowledge with an ability to communicate on a human level. Prior to joining Second Story, he spent 14 years managing technology in the legal field. Don earned a master's degree in Information Management from the University of Oregon and has a BS in Psychology from Dickinson College.
Andrew DeVigal
Director, Content Strategy
Andrew is a visionary storyteller with a comprehensive background in interactive and multimedia journalism. In addition to providing creative and strategic direction, Andrew instills innovative methodologies to storytelling and audience engagement, orchestrates diverse team talents and fosters collaboration across the studio. As the former multimedia editor at The New York Times, he pioneered new approaches to interactive storytelling maintaining his commitment to journalistic integrity. Andrew managed a staff of multimedia journalists and technologists whose projects received many accolades including a Dupont and Emmy awards. In a previous life, he ran his own design agency, created InteractiveNarratives.org and was a multimedia journalism professor in San Francisco.
Chris DeWan
Associate Creative Director, Design
Chris oversees the visual design of all projects, in addition to the execution of user interface and graphic design. Chris has extensive experience designing and directing a wide range of interactive media, from websites and kiosks to mobile and desktop applications. With additional experience as a photographer and digital artist, Chris applies an artistic vision to typography, composition and color. Chris studied graphic design at the School of Communication Arts in Minneapolis, MN.
Jennifer Dolan
Content Strategist
Jen brings an analytic mind and an eye for beauty to her work in the studio to support production and ensure quality. From making sure all necessary content is available and organized, to working with users to understand how to improve usability, to coordinating and documenting quality assurance testing, Jen works with the team to optimize studio projects. Before joining Second Story, Jen managed testing across a variety of educational and ecommerce projects for a Portland testing firm. Jen has a BA in Art History from the University of Massachusetts.
Matthew Fargo
Senior Interactive Developer
Matthew Fargo is a senior interactive developer with a broad range of experience that spans everything from database design to physical computing. He works to find new technologies for creating rich experiences and specializes in game design, mobile development, and social software. He studied interaction design at Berkeley's Center for New Media and NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program, receiving master's degrees from both institutions. A native Oregonian, he spent many years working in Tokyo and New York.
Alyssa Glass
Content Strategist
Alyssa shepherds projects through every stage of development, bringing together her passion for museums and her years of project management experience. She works closely with clients to best understand their content, collections, and the stories they wish to tell. Alyssa’s appreciation of cultural preservation, vintage design, and the diorama inspires and informs her role at the studio. Prior to joining Second Story, Alyssa spent ten years at Adobe Systems where she served as web producer for more than forty product launches. Alyssa holds a BA in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara. She also has a graduate certificate in Museum Studies from John F. Kennedy University where she collaborated with the Walt Disney Family Museum, SFMOMA, and the California Historical Society.
Michael J Godfrey
Experience Design Director
Michael leads strategic development and user experience design for studio projects. He guides the studio's approach to story structures, information architecture, physical experiences, interfaces, and master plans. Michael's background in journalism and interaction design provides a strong foundation for communicating the team’s vision to clients and stakeholders. Before joining Second Story, Michael worked at the Minneapolis Star Tribune and design studios in Germany and Brazil. Michael received a BFA in Design from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Jennifer Guibord
Studio Director
Jennifer orchestrates studio processes and team members, ensuring that the studio continues to create interactive experiences that engage, inspire, and inform audiences. Prior to assuming the role of studio director, she produced a wide variety of websites and interactive experiences for the studio, overseeing project development and management. Jennifer started her professional career at the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum as a research associate, gaining an in-depth understanding of collections management, exhibits, education, and research. Jennifer obtained her BA in Anthropology at St. Lawrence University.
Sarah Henderson
Designer
With a background in creative writing and graphic design, Sarah brings a unique perspective to visual storytelling. She draws on experiences as a writer, book designer, and brand strategist to inform her craft in the development of interactive designs, identity systems, and logotypes. Guided by the philosophy of design as a lifestyle, she finds inspiration and intrigue in the everyday, and translates her observations into sophisticated compositions. Sarah delights in creative problem solving, and believes that fine-tuned typography, generous white space, and a little creative elbow grease can go a long way. Sarah holds a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, and a Graphic Design Certificate from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston.
Sam Jeibmann
Technologist
With a strong background in material studies, Sam provides the studio with experience in fabrication and prototyping. His dexterity in both emerging technologies and traditional construction propels the prototypes he creates in Second Story’s media lab. Prior to joining the team, Sam worked at University of Oregon’s Wood Shop and Fabrication Lab, helping students and faculty bring their ideas to life using modern fabrication processes. Sam received his BFA in sculpture from the University of Oregon.
Brad Johnson
Founder
Brad experienced the explosion of CD-ROM-based multimedia at the height of its popularity in the early ’90s in the Bay Area. The enchanting, personalized quality of these self-directed, rich-media experiences inspired him to cultivate a unique area of specialization, combining compelling content with innovative interactivity. Despite his foundation in the visual arts, Brad’s ‘inside-out’ approach to interactive media creation emphasizes story, structure, content, and functionality. For over 17 years Brad led the studio’s design of media experiences—from early strategy and planning through information, interaction, and sensory design. Today Brad mentors team members, is a resource for creative insight, and helps set new strategic directions for the studio.
Norman Lau
Experience Designer
Norman believes good design can help facilitate experiences that illuminate and enhance our relationships with our environments and with each other. He strives to bring this quality to the studio's projects through interaction design methods such as wireframing, information architecture, and prototyping. He also brings a practical perspective to his work, drawing from his background as a software developer to understand how to push designs to realization. Norman received his BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Alberta in Canada and a master's in Interaction Design from Carnegie Mellon University.
Marc Lehman
Interaction Designer
With a strong interest in interaction and motion design, Marc assists project teams throughout the design process. He transitions static designs into animated studies, facilitating concept review and design solution testing. He also supports the visual design team in creating comps and producing artwork and illustrations. Marc has a broad background in motion graphics and web design; he has completed several internships and graduated magna cum laude from Oregon State University with a BFA in Graphic Design.
Sorob Louie
Interactive Developer
Originally from Tehran, Sorob's diverse background in electronics and interactive art, fused with a strong interest in emerging technologies, guides his passion for creating experiences that explore the possibilities of communication. Through 3D design and animation, prototyping, research, and programming, his work as an interactive developer supports multiple aspects of the development process. Sorob holds a BS in Digital Arts from the University of Oregon and continues to expand professionally through his work at Second Story.
Daniel Meyers
Creative Director, Environments
Daniel's background is in the design of immersive, experience and narrative-driven physical environments. His belief in the power of our work to make lasting, meaningful connections with audiences permeates his efforts from concept to completion, and ensures consistent application of the project vision. Daniel works with clients and diverse teams to create projects that join design, technology, and storytelling seamlessly and with one voice. Daniel is actively engaged in education and mentorship, teaching and lecturing at universities and in the public schools. Daniel holds an M.Arch from the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon, and a BA in English Literature from Reed College.
Swanny Mouton
Interaction Designer
With experience in service design, web design and illustration, Swanny takes part in the design process by creating interfaces and visual comps throughout the user experience. Passionate about digital innovation in education and culture, he has enjoyed working closely with museums over the years. Combining his love for typography, photography, film, and animation, he strives to create universes, be they digital or physical, by playing with diverse means of expression. Swanny holds a Master's Degree in Interaction Design from L'École de design Nantes Atlantique in France.
Dimitrii Pokrovskii
Interactive Developer
With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for interactive programming, Dimitrii enjoys bringing physical hardware to life with memorable digital interactive experiences. Natural curiosity combined with a desire to create novel experiences makes him a valuable doer and idea contributor at the studio. Prior to joining Second Story, Dimitrii developed software tools for the construction industry to better visualize 3D designs. Dimitrii holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.
Donald Richardson
Senior Interactive Developer
Donny’s role as a senior interactive developer extends beyond the realm of coding. He contributes to early conceptual design by providing guidance and ideas, his technical expertise providing a balance to the creative team. The backbone of his role is the development of web-based projects, content management systems, customized software, server administration, and hardware installation. A no-less-significant charge comes in the arena of progressive media, where Donny pushes the technological envelope to develop generative and experimental art projects. He has a BS in Mathematics from Portland State University and more than six years experience in the industry.
Fay Savage
Finance Manager
With a solid background in business and finance and an artistic eye, Fay brings a unique approach to financial analysis and perspective. Fay manages a variety of instrumental administration and financial processes, working closely with the management and staff members on project analysis, benefits, and records. Previously, Fay was an analyst in Pacific Power’s Revenue Requirement group; she has also helped a number of Portland companies optimize their accounting systems. Fay majored in Studio Art (oil painting and sculpture) at Wake Forest University and holds an MBA in finance from SUNY Binghamton.
Kirsten Southwell
Junior Experience Designer
Kirsten's enthusiastic curiosity and belief in human-centered practice informs her role as a user experience designer. With an interest in developing community collaboration, her background in public policy encourages her to create experiences that involve audiences both on, and off, the screen. As a Junior User Experience Designer, Kirsten focuses on the end user and contributes to making interactive experiences that are intuitive and delightful. Kirsten earned her Bachelors of Graphic Design from North Carolina State University.
Filippo Spiezia
Senior Interaction Designer
For over 20 years, Filippo has been pushing the boundaries of graphic, digital, interactive, and multimedia design. Working in Italy and the UK before joining Second Story as Senior Interaction Designer, he has owned and operated several design studios, acted as Art Director on projects for Fortune 500 companies, and served as Creative Director on multiple award-winning websites. The recipient of many accolades over the course of his career, Filippo was honored to receive the 2012 "Professional of the Year" Award from Premio Web Italia (PWI), Italy's most prestigious award in the field of web design.
Traci Sym
Experience Designer
With a background in the performing arts, Traci designs storytelling experiences that create emotive connections between spaces and the people that occupy and interact within them. She thrives on a balanced diet of well-organized chaos and smart design. Before joining Second Story, Traci managed large-scale web design projects for an interactive agency and spent over five years designing and producing multimedia installations and productions for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. She has a BA in Theatre Arts and Literature from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
David Waingarten
Creative Director, Storytelling
David’s extensive storytelling background draws on his experiences as a feature filmmaker, musician, editor, and writer. As Creative Director, David works with clients to develop high-level narrative and storytelling strategies that capture the heart and DNA of studio projects, laying the foundations for engaging, intuitive, and inspirational visitor experiences. David ensures that the core creative and narrative goals of a project are met, from early concepts through installation. He leads team members across disciplines, guiding the creative force within the studio and inspiring excellence and laughter.
Thomas Wester
Innovation Director
Thomas leads Second Story Labs, an incubator for new ideas and projects that explore the innovative use of technology to create cutting-edge interactive experiences. He engages with current and potential clients, partners, and the community, and guides R&D efforts to inform technology choices, build capabilities, and expand the studio’s technical competence. Thomas has led the technical execution of all studio projects since he joined the studio in 2003. Prior to this, he was a technology entrepreneur, co-developing Screenweaver, a successful tool for Flash developers. Thomas has a BE from Hogeschool van Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Jinu Yang
Interaction Designer
With design expertise in infographics, typography, and user-interface design, Jinu practices a design-philosophy that is both thought-provoking and timeless. At the studio, he creates visual solutions for interactive experiences, with an eye for detail, flexibility, and accessibility. Previously, Jinu was a graphic designer in NY where he developed user interface design, corporate identity, and digital marketing initiatives. He earned a BFA in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts in New York and a BFA in Visual Communication Design from Sangmyung University in Korea.
