As digital media became more visually sophisticated, John redirected his career from magazines to the web. He started at Funny Garbage, a quirky digital media studio in SOHO, with little web design knowledge but learned quickly, finally becoming one of the studio’s creative directors. He was an art director on studio’s coveted Cartoon Network.com account. He also designed and art-directed sites for The Simpsons, Mariah Carey, Atlantic Monthly, Cablevision, Turner Classic Movies, The National Journal and The Whitney Museum. With his knowledge of print media, John was asked to design the company style guide and admin collateral (letterhead, business card, envelopes, digital templates, etc...) Another rewarding print project entailed designing a hardcover art book for Yale University Press based on the PBS documentary “Imagining America: Icons of Twentieth-Century American Art.”
In 2007, John and his partner Conn Brattain moved to Maui, Hawai‘i where he continued to work for Funny Garbage on a per-project basis. He also took on independent accounts such as greeting card designs for a company in Los Angeles, website and identity for Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu and web designs for Rodale Publishing in NYC.
After about four years of independent work, John was hired as the art director for the bi-monthly, award-winning Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi magazine. Later, he accepted the role as art director for the semi-annual Kā‘anapali magazine published by the same company, Haynes Publishing Group. In addition to art director duties at the thriving island publishing business, John also designed logos, branding and event collateral needed for the magazines many community-based endeavors. He played a key role in the production of two more publications, Island Living and Eating & Drinking. This all culminated in his appointment as creative director for the publishing company. He also wrote seven feature stories.
After twelve years of living off-the-grid on Maui, John and Conn, moved back to New York to be closer to family. John began work on a cookbook/memoir of treasured family recipes and stories of his Italian ancestors. He reprised his role at Haynes Publishing, working remotely from July 2020 to September 2022 when the publisher retired after 26 years and sold the business.
Always looking forward to his next design challenge, John is currently working on a freelance basis.
Accolades & Press
Print Magazine (featured editorial)
30 Designers Under 30
Critique Magazine
Noteworthy Design Studios
2007 Interactive Media Award:
Outstanding Achievement, News
The Guest of the Ayatollah website
Print Magazine Awards
Certificates of Design Excellence
Magazine Editorial Graphics
(hardcover design compilation)
SPIN Magazine
Issues: New Magazine Design
(softcover design compilation)
Details Magazine
Society of Publication Designers, Awards of Merit
Entire Issue | Feature Spread & Story
Society of Professional Journalists, Hawaii Chapter 2014 Finalist, Excellence in Journalism Award, Page Design "The Fisherman's Net"
Writing Samples
Chasing Daylight Adventure Feature / Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi magazine, May-June 2017
The Whirlybird and the Buggy Adventure Feature / Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi magazine, Jan-Feb 2018
Winging It Health & Wellness Featurette, Spa Treatment Review / Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi magazine, Jan-Feb 2016
A Manly Glow & A Win for the Weekend Warrior Health & Wellness Featurettes, Spa Treatment Reviews / Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi magazine, Jan-Feb 2017
Royal Treatments Health & Wellness Featurette, Spa Treatment Review / Kā‘anapali magazine, Fall 2019-Winter 2020
EMAIL john (at) johngdesign.com
Linked In Profile | Resume