Stephen Schaf
HELLO. I am an innovative creative with a passion for interactive design (IxD) and creative mentorship. I deliver with a successful record growing creative organizations and their clients’ revenues through leadership, tasteful design, and targeted marketing strategies. I'm an expert in all aspects of the creative process including design research, conceptualization, creative development, and user experience strategies. I thrive when in the thick of mentoring the creative process and take deep pleasure when cultivating in others their most innovative thinking.
My Portfolio
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TripSake Mobile App [ case included ]
A digital keepsake travel journal. -
Mahalo Sparkling Beverage
Package design & promotional UI solution. -
Hendricks Regional Health, Motion 360 Ad Campaign
Integrated ad campaign for orthopedics program. -
A Jellyfish Life
Paralax scrolling UI with infographics illustrating the lifecycle of a Pacific Moon Jellyfish. -
ReefMate Aquarium Management App [ case included ]
App for a maintenance-free reef aquarium. -
Brand Identity Development
Brand identity systems. -
Chromatic.ly UI Design [ case included ]
Color trends in an art installation. -
Knotty Boy Clothier
Startup clothier selling luxury ties for men. -
ChannelMeter Subscription Portal
Commerce dashboard for YouTube channel owners. -
Comprehensive Branding Campaign [ case included ]
"What Type of Gardner are You?" Campaign for Altum's Garden Center. -
Indiana University Cancer Center
Integrated web campaign for cancer awareness. -
Works of Fine Art
Painting, photography and other digital artworks.
The right fit
With a career that has been varied, I bring over 25 years of high-level leadership experience, design intuition and creative mentorship with a penchant for digital expertise. Beneficial to any design problem, I bring real-life agency experience where I have been a creative director in several positions. I also envisioned, started, and ran my own successful design studio start up. I’ve also taught within higher education institutions for over 15 years. This range of expertise has not only allowed me to build on my passions for mentoring and cultivating the creative process, but also affords a unique ability to help clients and to guide other creative souls to find what it takes to successfully maneuver the creative process — an often arduous and overwhelming task. Coupled with an MFA degree in Interaction Design, my expertise brings together a strong bench of unique capabilities, including those gleaned from envisioning and starting the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (iMoCA). I use my start-up experience daily to guide business-mindedness with an entrepreneurial perspective.
Skills
CREATIVE METHODS & APPROACHES
TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE SKILLS
Experience
PROFESSOR OF DIGITAL DESIGN / University of Colorado Denver
Competitively evolved the Digital Design program within the College of Arts & Music with a particular focus on bringing new concepts, research approaches and pedagogical models for interactive design methods to the growing discipline in a remote, online and synchronous settings. Managed an instruction load of four sections per semester with successful teaching outcomes and significant student progress. Developed curriculum for topics in digital typography, introductory digital design concepts and introductory interactive design methodologies. Appointed faculty director of the university’s student creative agency, CAM Creative, fostering student learning through real-world experiences with real client projects. High overall rating of 5.1 (out of 6.0) as scored by students.TECHNICAL SPECIALIST / Apple, Inc.
Developed customer relationships while adhering the the Apple culture and high standards for customer engagement. Troubleshooted hardware and software issues and instructs users of various backgrounds on how to use Apple technology. Provided concrete customer service.MANAGING PRINCIPAL & CREATIVE DIRECTOR / Hotbed Creative, Inc.
Founded and drove the growth of the company to more than $600K in annual revenues. Guided the efforts of four designers, a Chief Financial Officer and an Office manager. Directed all day-to-day operations including finance, accounting, payroll, budgeting, business development, client relations and engagement management. Provided Human Resource Management including hiring, firing, performance management and reward. Served as the creative force behind all strategic initiatives for the company and its clientele.ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR / Anderson University
Led and grew the Digital and Print Photography Program within the Department of Art & Design. Cultivated student talent and pioneered fresh and progressive curriculum and coursework.VP & CREATIVE DIRECTOR / Borshoff Public Relations
Moved agency into new services including digital services and new media. Developed 2Fold Design, the advertising and branding division of Borshoff Public Relations. Grew the division from a startup with two employees to a robust 10 designers, freelancers and contract creatives generating revenues in excess of $3M in only six years. Developed and implemented management, mentorship/leadership programs to foster stronger creative collaboration.Education
Masters Degree in Interaction Design
Academy of Art University, San Francisco / GPA 3.83 / ValedictorianBachelor of Arts in Visual Design Communications
Anderson University, Anderson, IN / GPA 3.76 / Cum LaudeMy personal plan for reinvention with intention
Visionary Leader
Relevant Designer
Altruistic Mentor
It has seemed always engrained in my DNA to somehow impact humanity by encouraging the idea that we can find common ground in our differences, particularly through individual expression and creativity. In an effort to define and understand humanity better, my creative passions constantly push conventions to prove that design innovation makes good sense — at the intersection of fine art, creative mentorship and commercial design. It is my response to the elusive blank page — that space where we can create something from nothing.
With this same intention to evolve my desire to reinvent my creative talents and to explore the blank page, I craft through assimilation of the visual culture and experiences around me. This renewed perspective each day anew is my attempt towards reinvention with intention. It is also my personal plan for growth and mentorship.
Contact
Denver, CO 80222