About
designer, teacher, speaker, event planner, art curator, and mother on caffeine
Founder and Principal, Insomniac Design Studio
Desiree is an authentic leader with a diverse background of practice. She has a graduate degree in Organizational Leadership, she is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of small business ownership/experience, a teacher with a love for the craft, and a passion for enabling good design. These experiences have been instrumental in allowing her to work confidently and successfully in multiple roles, with a variety of people, and experience levels. They have also allowed her to mentor, lead, evolve, and encourage clients and students to do the same.
This diversity beautifully sets the stage for her to help your business, non-profit, or school for design success.
GALLERY CURATION
“I recently worked with Desiree on a gallery exhibition of my work. She was an absolute joy to work with! Desiree is both professional and friendly. She not only made the exhibition run smoothly with great communication, but helped in the installation and taking down of the artwork. The reception she planned was lovely, and her PowerPoint presentation of my art for the gallery talk was top rate. Working with her was a great pleasure, and I would love to do so again in the future.” —Peg Pennell, Fiber Artist, Ashland, Nebraska
TEACHING
“Desiree creates an environment where people of all talent and experience levels can put their work out there and feel safe in doing so. Her critiques are always done very respectfully while also being honest.”
“Desiree has tons of real world experience. She knows the ins and out of the field. I love that she does not mince words, her feedback is always so helpful! She is very attentive to her students.”
“I would recommend this instructor to other students. She always comes in with a positive attitude and encourages students to do their best work. She is very understanding and helps when asked.”
“Thank you for being such an incredible instructor/mentor. You have been such an inspiration to me, and I am so thankful.”
SPEAKING
HOW Conference, 2014
Surviving the Freelancing Motherload—Discussed the trials and tribulations of being a: woman, mother, and freelancer. Encouraged listeners to push through barriers, to not let fear debilitate, and keep your financial records in order.
Metropolitan Community College, 2014
Surviving the Race on Pricing—Discussed how to move students into a position to successfully freelance when they might not have enough experience, and how to manage clients for long-term success.
AIGA Nebraska Freelancer 101 Panelist, 2011
Panelists discussed and answered questions regarding freelancing from students and recent graduates to encourage them to pursue freelance motivations and/or consider freelance as a hobby while maintaining their day job.
AWARDS
• AIGA The Show—Bronze Award for Moose Bros. Logo, 2016
• Rockport Letterhead & Logo Design 12—Published spread of Insomniac Design Identity, 2012
• PRSA—Award of Merit for Race to the Holland, 2010
• PRSA—Award of Merit for Salvation Army Annual Report, 2007