Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”
ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, PLANNING + INTERIOR DESIGN
For more than half of my 25 years working as a designer, I’ve spent the bulk of my time working for firms in the Architectural, Engineering (A/E) and Planning industries. And the majority of that time has been spent at one firm in particular — Kitchen & Associates* (K&A), an 80-person, multi-disciplinary design firm based in Collingswood, New Jersey and specializing in the design of affordable housing, an issue very close to my heart. It makes sense. My undergraduate degree is in Architecture, backed up with a fairly heavy minor in Art History and a nomadic childhood spent growing up on the road in a Fleetwood, Class A, Pace Arrow motor home. And just for the record, being ‘Class A’ meant nothing. The thing leaked like a sieve.
At K&A I would spend more than a dozen years over three different periods cutting my teeth — First as a young staff architect in 1995; Ten years later as a senior graphic designer in their production art and graphics studio; And finally, and most recently, as the de-facto manager of that very same studio. A fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment with a schedule that was always in flux, it was here where I would learn how to effectively manage the day-to-day graphics and digital marketing needs of a firm quickly growing in diversity, discipline and capability each day. It was where I would learn to balance the need to train those below me, manage the daily schedule of deliverables and deadlines, all the while maintaining a grip on the needs of each individual market sector within the company.
Additionally, from print to web, K&A generally aimed to keep the production of most everything in-house. Which meant I had to have a working knowledge and production experience in a wide variety of applications, platforms and equipment. And although this internal approach inevitably introduced a variety of limitations on what could be produced, it also presented unique and daily challenges for us in the studio. So, from custom brochures, digital presentations and proposals to brand management, marketing templates, web development and more, I learned very quickly how to balance a multiplicity of competing needs, formats, audience types, and expectations … distilling order from chaos, ensuring deliverables were delivered on time.
—Jeffrey Scott Miller
Owner & Designer, Studio Jethro
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* If you happen to take the time to visit the K&A website, keep in mind that the site was designed and developed by me. A customized installation of the Infinite WordPress theme by GoodLayers, the site was one of the last things I accomplished for the firm prior to leaving in August 2018.
The Form that Follows Chaos
More than once in my life I’ve found myself having to throw everything out, in a sense, losing all rules and beginning over … About Studio Jethro
Building a Design Company
In 1997 I would help found Doc Milo Productions, a boutique stationery design company based in the Old City section of Philadelphia … Read More
Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”
ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, PLANNING + INTERIOR DESIGN
For more than half of my 25 years working as a designer, I’ve spent the bulk of my time working for firms in the Architectural, Engineering (A/E) and Planning industries. And the majority of that time has been spent at one firm in particular — Kitchen & Associates* (K&A), an 80-person, multi-disciplinary design firm based in Collingswood, New Jersey and specializing in the design of affordable housing, an issue very close to my heart. It makes sense. My undergraduate degree is in Architecture, backed up with a fairly heavy minor in Art History and a nomadic childhood spent growing up on the road in a Fleetwood, Class A, Pace Arrow motor home. And just for the record, being ‘Class A’ meant nothing. The thing leaked like a sieve.
At K&A I would spend more than a dozen years over three different periods cutting my teeth — First as a young staff architect in 1995; Ten years later as a senior graphic designer in their production art and graphics studio; And finally, and most recently, as the de-facto manager of that very same studio. A fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment with a schedule that was always in flux, it was here where I would learn how to effectively manage the day-to-day graphics and digital marketing needs of a firm quickly growing in diversity, discipline and capability each day. It was where I would learn to balance the need to train those below me, manage the daily schedule of deliverables and deadlines, all the while maintaining a grip on the needs of each individual market sector within the company.
Additionally, from print to web, K&A generally aimed to keep the production of most everything in-house. Which meant I had to have a working knowledge and production experience in a wide variety of applications, platforms and equipment. And although this internal approach inevitably introduced a variety of limitations on what could be produced, it also presented unique and daily challenges for us in the studio. So, from custom brochures, digital presentations and proposals to brand management, marketing templates, web development and more, I learned very quickly how to balance a multiplicity of competing needs, formats, audience types, and expectations … distilling order from chaos, ensuring deliverables were delivered on time.
—Jeffrey Scott Miller
Owner & Designer, Studio Jethro
—
* If you happen to take the time to visit the K&A website, keep in mind that the site was designed and developed by me. A customized installation of the Infinite WordPress theme by GoodLayers, the site was one of the last things I accomplished for the firm prior to leaving in August 2018.
Building a Design Company
In 1997 I would help found Doc Milo Productions, a boutique stationery design company based in the Old City section of Philadelphia … Read More
The Form that Follows Chaos
More than once in my life I’ve found myself having to throw everything out, in a sense, losing all rules and beginning over … About Studio Jethro
Between my time with Doc Milo Productions and Kitchen & Associates, I’ve been responsible for the ongoing identity and branding efforts of a company for longer than I’d like to admit.
I’ve spent more time on the design, layout and coordination of proposals, firm qualifications and slideshow presentations than I’d like to admit. Not my favorite form of design.
It’s not just print design that I’m good at. I also specialize in online web services, including HTML5, CSS3 and WordPress installations, management and custom themes.
Jeffrey provides creative business development solutions, from concept to content to final production, for both print and web applications, communications and professional services — And specifically as it applies to the design, implementation and ongoing maintenance of the firm’s strategic, long-term marketing initiatives, branding and identity goals.”
Jeffrey provides creative business development solutions, from concept to content to final production, for both print and web applications, communications and professional services — And specifically as it applies to the design, implementation and ongoing maintenance of the firm’s strategic, long-term marketing initiatives, branding and identity goals.”
