Hi, I'm Natalie! I'm an interdisciplinary designer and educator living in Philadelphia. I collaborate with artists, curators, and creative small businesses to build thoughtful identities and strategic digital and spatial experiences. Previously, I worked at an agency working with clients ranging from history museums to tech companies. I'm currently working full-time at Philadelphia Contemporary, but I'm open to select freelance opportunities.
I'm also currently an adjunct professor at Temple University's Tyler School of Art teaching an Intro to Web course.
Prior to becoming a designer I had a career doing direct service and social work for non-profits in the public health and mental health fields.
I'm very interested in phenomena of the current zeitgeist and popular culture, and I'm endlessly curious about how technology impacts society's well-being. In my free time, I wind down by walking in nature with my dog and watching birds.
EXPERIENCE Philadelphia Contemporary Designer | Aug. 2020 – Present
In this role, I work as the lead designer to produce all of Philadelphia Contemporary's graphic design needs. In collaboration with our Director of Marketing and working with external agencies this past year, I helped execute the implementation of the institutional wide rebrand and web redesign. In addition to the larger institutional work, I am responsible for producing all print materials, special exhibition identities, fabricated environmental and interpretive signage, motion graphics, and digital assets for various programs and exhibitions within the curatorial department.
I work closely with other departments including the development department to produce materials and takeaways for events, and fundraisers, as well as producing all of their digital needs. I also provide art direction to photographers and videographers who document our programs and exhibitions.
Responsibilities Special Exhibition Identity Development Motion Design Art Direction Environmental Signage & Wayfinding Social Media Campaign Strategy Video Editing Design of all Print Materials E-mail Design Website Maintenance & Design Temple University: Tyler School of Art Adjunct Professor | Jan. 2021 – Present
For the last three semesters I have taught the class "Intro to Web" as part of Tyler School of Art's Graphic & Interactive Design department. The class is mostly undergraduate students, but it occasionally includes graduate MFA candidates. The course is designed to teach the fundamentals of web design, including layout, hierarchy, and an intro to user experience. I also educate students on the web design process from low-fidelity prototyping to front-end development and deployment. The course also teaches the fundamentals of HTML and CSS.
Responsibilities Course Curriculum Development Providing Critique and Feedback In-Class Demonstration of Learning Objective Natalie Harris Design Freelance Designer | Jan. 2019 – Present
As a freelancer I've worked with various clients including artists, curators and small businesses to develop brand identities, websites, illustrations, social media campaigns, print materials, and large-scale signage.
Responsibilities Brand Identity Development Website Design & Development Art Direction Environmental Signage & Wayfinding Social Media Campaign Strategy Design of Print Materials Bluecadet Visual Designer | May 2019 – July 2020
At Bluecadet I worked on a variety of projects with clients varying from history museums to large tech companies. My responsibilities as a visual designer included creating design systems for custom applications, exhibit design, environmental signage, illustration, iterating on experiential concepts, and composing strategic decks and to present to stakeholders.
Responsibilities Visual Design for Digital Applications Large-Scale Environmental Graphics Exhibition Design Illustration Deck Strategy, Development, & Presentation Strategy & Proof of Concept Development Steve Decusatis Design Design Intern | Sept. 2018 – Jan. 2019
I worked closely with the principal of the studio to develop logo concepts for select clients, as well as work on various print projects for companies in the travel and hospitality industry, and designing the company Christmas card.
Responsibilities Sketching & Concept Development for Logo Designs Deck Development Print Layout Design Institute of Contemporary Art: UPenn Design Intern | May 2018 – Aug. 2018
Working at the ICA at UPenn for the summer I designed multiple social media campaigns using motion graphics and illustration to promote summer programming and attendance at the museum during its slow season. I also worked on various print projects including designing A-frames promoting current exhibitions, stickers, and other print materials.
Responsibilities Social Media Campaign Development Motion Graphics Web Banners
Education Temple University: Tyler School of Art BFA Graphic & Interactive Design, Minor Art History | May 2019
American University BA Women & Gender Studies | May 2006
