Let's Work Together
Creative Director specializing in editorial design
and design leadership for print, web, and mobile products.
and design leadership for print, web, and mobile products.
Krista Volenski Wilcox in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2021.
After two decades in design, I've come to realize that all design is about the overall user experience.
I specialize in brand redesigns, product launches, and startups in the media, lifestyle, and non-profit industries. My prime focus is storytelling for publication design, creative direction, design strategy, and branding.
I have spent over half of my career in editorial design, art direction, and illustration for magazines and newspapers. I am currently the Senior Design Editor for the Sunday edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Designing in-depth, high-impact 1A cover stories.
I'm passionate about leading design teams and photographers in crafting publications, branding, and digital products into memorable and accessible experiences.
I strongly believe the reader/user experience is of utmost importance. It's a designer's responsibility, and it is part of effective storytelling. I've always designed for the customer. It's part of my creative process. Effective communication is the ultimate goal.
I would love to hear from you.
Krista
I've always been a team player.
I love to mentor, and I believe designers work better as a team.
We generate better ideas when we can bounce them off editors, photographers, content creators, and engineers.
I love to mentor, and I believe designers work better as a team.
We generate better ideas when we can bounce them off editors, photographers, content creators, and engineers.
Experienced Art Director and Designer
Storytelling + 360º Strategy + User experience
Storytelling + 360º Strategy + User experience
I have designed, built, and overseen brand design systems that were used across print and digital platforms. I've collaborated with editors, photographers, illustrators, and developers to craft complex custom products. I'm highly skilled in Adobe applications and other publishing software, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Top Skills
Sketches for Tely's in-store retail customer service app.
DESIGN
1. Editorial Art Direction and Design
2. Branding & Identity
3. Design Systems
4. Typography
5. UX & UI
6. Storytelling and Storyboarding
7. Wireframes (Lo-Fi & Hi-Fi)
8. Graphic Design
9. Sketching
10. Iconography
1. Editorial Art Direction and Design
2. Branding & Identity
3. Design Systems
4. Typography
5. UX & UI
6. Storytelling and Storyboarding
7. Wireframes (Lo-Fi & Hi-Fi)
8. Graphic Design
9. Sketching
10. Iconography
MANAGEMENT
1. Design Team Leader
2. Project Management
3. Hits Budget & Business Goals
4. Big Picture Design Thinker
5. Mentor for Junior Designers
6. Collaborative Problem Solver
7. Empathy for Users & Teammates
8. Socially Outgoing and Friendly
9. Big Picture and Detail Driven
10. Skilled Communicator
1. Design Team Leader
2. Project Management
3. Hits Budget & Business Goals
4. Big Picture Design Thinker
5. Mentor for Junior Designers
6. Collaborative Problem Solver
7. Empathy for Users & Teammates
8. Socially Outgoing and Friendly
9. Big Picture and Detail Driven
10. Skilled Communicator
RESEARCH
1. Website & App Evaluation
2. Competitor Evaluation
3. User Research & Testing
4. Usability Testing
5. Data Analysis
1. Website & App Evaluation
2. Competitor Evaluation
3. User Research & Testing
4. Usability Testing
5. Data Analysis
TOOLS
1. Adobe CC (ID, PS, IL, AE, XD
2. Figma
3. Balsamiq
4. Pen & Paper
5. HTML/CSS (Basic)
6. Miro
7. SquareSpace
8. Webflow
9. Google Suite
10. UserTesting.com
1. Adobe CC (ID, PS, IL, AE, XD
2. Figma
3. Balsamiq
4. Pen & Paper
5. HTML/CSS (Basic)
6. Miro
7. SquareSpace
8. Webflow
9. Google Suite
10. UserTesting.com
Education
I've had a lifelong love affair with design and I prioritize continuously learning new skills and tools to help me stay current and to improve as a designer and creative leader. I added a BS in UX research and design in 2022.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
ArtCenter
College of Design
Pasadena, CA
2001-2004
College of Design
Pasadena, CA
2001-2004
BS in DESIGN FOR
USER EXPERIENCE
USER EXPERIENCE
Lesley University
College of Art & Design
Cambridge, MA
2018-2022
College of Art & Design
Cambridge, MA
2018-2022
Career Timeline
I have been an award-winning media and lifestyle brand art director and designer for two decades. I began my graphic design career in print media, and I had the opportunity to design my first website in 2001. Over the last 20+ years, my skill set has evolved to include 360º creative strategy, branding, user experience, and design leadership.
I've worked in California, New York, Tennessee, and Nevada. I've had the opportunity to art direct and design print and digital projects for five top media companies, Condé Nast, Hearst, Rodale, Time Inc, Gannett, non-profits, the arts, and small businesses. I know that my experience of working with stakeholders for over 20 years in content design is a critical asset to me when developing new brand experiences.
Are you interested in working together?
I would love to hear from you!