About me.
And my behind-the-scenes dream-team collaborator.
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I am the Founder and Creative Director of 452 Design, a studio that I opened in 2003 after learning as a senior art director how much clients value working directly with the designer – and how for me, it is mutual! I absolutely love designing and creating, and I spend much of my free time doing it! My goal has always been to offer high-level design and strategy of a traditional agency without the overhead, pricing, or account team layers; I work directly with each client, from day one, getting to know their needs, their perspective, their brand – from developing each custom proposal through final launch, printing and production, and beyond. Together, we not only build a brand – or even a one-off design – we build a relationship.
I lead every project from strategy through execution — using my years of experience while keeping work sharp, relevant, and built to last.
With studios in Philadelphia and London, and long-term clients across industries, I bring trusted leadership, flexible scale, and fresh creative thinking to every engagement.
Let’s work together — or let’s just grab a cup of coffee!
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Amanda Andreucci, once my star graphic design student, is now my Creative Collaborator, brought on to add even more firepower for brand needs — from branding to dynamic social content to digital campaigns to collateral materials.
I partner with Amanda on the projects where an extra layer of digital-first thinking or trend-driven design can elevate the work — especially for brands reaching younger audiences – a perfect complement to my years of design and strategy experience.
Together, we have a blast – keeping our work fresh and relevant, making sure we have true understanding of every client and their needs. Every project is approached with much thought, research, purpose… and honestly, joy.
Amanda and I have a unique collaboration.
Amanda began as my college student – so our long-standing collaboration grew naturally over time. Our design relationship naturally evolved into a partnership grounded in shared core values, including:
Design sense and aesthetic
Method of communication directly with each client (and ensuring, with pleasure, one-on-one attention and collaboration)
Values in how we work with people and in business – and view the world
We come from different perspectives to share a clear design sensibility and a deep commitment to understanding each client and their brand. Together, we create work across industries that is sharp, relevant, and built to last. And we have so much fun doing it.
Moodboard of Directors
they don't have moods, they don't direct us – but we inspire each other and learn from each other and work together to make our work the best that it can be.
Jesse Wines
co-worker 25+ years ago@winescreative instagram
True Fan Travel website
Noah Marcuse
my former typography student, tyler school of art, 2021
@noahmarcuse_designs instagram
Noah Marcuse Designs website
Frank White
unclear. but legend is that i stumbled upon his amazing sports design and therefore connected him with jesse, for his – and then invited myself to their initial meeting.@technically_an_artist instagram
Frank White Design website
Giving back.
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Because my own professors and mentors made such an impact on me and my design, I always knew I wanted to teach… to give students even a bit of what my teachers gave to me. In 2018, I became an adjunct professor at Tyler School of Art & Architecture, where I was honored with the Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Award in 2021. In 2024, I joined the faculty at Moore College of Art & Design, where I teach typography to college juniors.
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I am excited to be invited by the American Institute of Graphic Artists to be in their 2026 Mentorship Program. I will be mentoring a senior at Moore College of Art, helping her with anything from her design work and her thesis to applying for jobs and learning about the world of graphic design!
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I always look to give back – through design and beyond – whatever I can do. To name a few instances…
I was Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Young Friends of the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania; an original member of the Teen Empowerment Program Committee for Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia; Co-Chair of the Young Friends of the American Associates of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; and Co-Chair of the Pink Tie Ball of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Philadelphia.
I currently serve on the Directors Leadership Council at the Abramson Cancer Center — where Daniel Stern and I received the Distinguished Partners in Hope Award in 2015. And I served on the Executive Development Committee at Friends’ Central School from 2022 through 2024. I serve on the Graphic Arts Occupational Advisory Committee at Jules Mastbaum High School in the School District of Philadelphia. And I led the redesign of the children’s playroom at Families Forward, a Philadelphia-based homeless shelter.
I try to have at least one charity organization in my client roster at all times. My pro bono and nonprofit design clients are way too many to list here, but have included Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Drexel University Center for Hunger-Free Communities and Vetri Foundation for Children. In 2025, I created and developed the LA Strong Now + Always campaign in response to the California wildfires — directing 100% of proceeds to fire victims through a design-driven relief effort.
I designed two posters, both selected for the We the Women traveling exhibition, each spotlighting women’s voices in design and activism.
At the start of the covid pandemic — before vaccines were available — I was (and am) grateful to the frontline workers, so I did what I do best: I created and designed a poster series to thank frontline workers. To make it accessible for all ages, I also designed printable coloring sheet versions for kids to display in their windows.
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Outside of client work, I am passionate about giving back — through teaching, involvement in charities that are important to me — and, of course, donating through design.
Clients.
to name a few.The Abramson Cancer Center
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Artisans of Leisure
The Brady Experience
Cavalry Media
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Comcast
Daniel Stern Restaurants
Drexel University Center for Hunger-Free Communities
Elite Model Management
Four Seasons Hotels
Fox Television Studios
The Friends of Rittenhouse Square
Heckscher Museum of Art
International Creative Management, Inc. (ICM)
Le Bec-Fin
LIFT : ART Los Angeles
Longwood Gardens
Lubert-Adler
Melissa + Miller Interiors
Newbridge Film Capital
Nina Campbell Interior Design
Opus Pickleball
Nola Physical Therapy
Pine Forest Camp
Purely Elizabeth
Relativity Media
School District of Philadelphia
Studio Friedman
Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia
TiVo
Vetri Restaurants
Vetri Foundation for Children