– about me

Designing award-winning learning and brand experiences that engage, inspire, and deliver results.

I’m a designer and creative leader with over 30 years of experience turning complex ideas into engaging visual stories. From interactive eLearning and motion graphics to branding, portals, and immersive training, my work blends strategy and creativity to inspire learning and strengthen brands. Along the way, I’ve partnered with global companies earning 30+ industry awards for design and learning excellence. Whether directing teams or creating hands-on design, my focus is always the same: delivering high-impact experiences that connect, engage, and drive results.

Let’s talk, I’d love to hear from you!

‪(616) 414-4166

Reach out to me on Linkedin

– Work

ELEARNING          MOTION GRAPHICS          UI/UX          GRAPHIC DESIGN

– Experience

2024 – 2025
Cencora | Experience Developer

Shaped engaging enterprise learning experiences that supported global teams, streamlined workflows, and enhanced onboarding. Created custom eLearning, instructor-led content, and motion graphics, applying user-centered design and storytelling to deliver impactful, visually engaging training aligned with corporate goals.

2015 – 2024
SDI Clarity | Experience Director

Guided a creative team delivering training solutions for brands like LG, Steelcase, Haworth, Sears, Amway, and Meijer. Blended strategy and design to produce portals, motion graphics, eLearning, and interactive media that inspired learners and achieved client goals.

2001 – 2015
Media 1 | Creative Director & eLearning Developer

Directed creative strategy for interactive programs featuring animation, gamification, and multimedia storytelling for enterprise clients including HP, Rockwell Collins, Wolverine Worldwide, Waters, Meijer, and Kellogg’s.

1996 – 2001
Self-Employed | Designer, Animator & eLearning Developer

Delivered versatile creative solutions—2D/3D animation, interactive training, websites, and branding—for clients such as Holland Hitch, Spicer/Dana, Herman Miller, and Brunswick, helping them communicate and market more effectively.

1994 – 1996
Visual Designs Inc. | 2D/3D Animator & Designer

Visualized complex products and processes through technical animations, interactive training, and marketing media for clients including Amway, Park Davis, Hilti, and Herman Miller.

1990 – 1994
Mastertag | Graphic Artist

Designed layouts and artwork for offset print production and marketing collateral tailored to the horticultural industry.

1998 – 1990
Girardin Sportswear | Graphic Artist

Created custom designs and production layouts for the apparel industry within a fast-paced art department.

– Skillsets

Design & Creative
  • Graphic Design, Branding & Visual Identity
  • UI/UX Design, Wireframing & Prototyping
  • Motion Graphics & Animation
  • Illustration & Visual Storytelling
  • Print & Digital Media Design
Learning & Development
  • Learning Experience Development & Curriculum Development
  • eLearning Development (SCORM/xAPI, Learning Portals)
  • Interactive Media, Gamification & Simulation Design
  • Blended Learning Solutions
Leadership & Collaboration
  • Creative Direction & Team Leadership
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Project Management & Agile Workflows
  • Communication & Client Engagement
  • Mentorship, Problem-Solving & Innovation

– Awards

1996-2004

Distinguished Award Best of Show – 2004

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Hewlett-Packard Company HP My Custom Publishing WBT

Award of Excellence – 2003

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Learning to Use AutoCAD 2D, a CD Series—Thomson Learning/Delmar Learning

Award of Merit – 2003

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Meijer, Inc. Loss Prevention Report Writing WBT

Summit Silver Award 2002

International Finalist – 2002 Summit Creative Awards 2002 SPX Corporation SPX/OTC Product Demo

Award of Excellence – 2001

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Carlson Marketing Group Carlson/Mopar Parts Department Operational Guide

Distinguished Award – 2001

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Meijer, Inc. Meijer Cash Office Help System

Distinguished Award – 2001

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Rand E. Winters Group, Inc. – ISO-9000:2000 Overview

Distinguished Award Best of Show – 2001

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Hewlett-Packard Company Supporting the HP LaserJet 3100/3150 WBT

Bronze Telly Winner – 1999

20th Annual Telly Awards Neway Anchorlok International – Wabash – Cargo Care Product Video

Bronze Telly Award – 1996

17th Annual Telly Awards Neway Anchorlok International – Dockrite Product Video

2004-2008

INTERNATIONAL BEST OF SHOW & International Award of Distinguished Technical Communication – 2008

Society for Technical Communication International Technical Online Competition Meijer, Inc. Effective Selling (Mission Possible!) WBT

Award of Excellence – 2008

The Society of Technical Communication Chicago Chapter HP Indigo Production Manager Web-Based Training

Award of Excellence – 2008

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Hewlett-Packard Company HP Standards of Business Conduct WBT

Award of Excellence – 2007

The Society of Technical Communication Chicago Chapter Hewlett-Packard Company HP Indigo Partner Solution Training Tool

Award of Excellence – 2007

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Meijer, Inc. BI Query WBT

Distinguished Award Best of Show – 2007

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Hewlett-Packard Company HP Designjet Z2100/Z3100 Photo Printers Sales Training

Award of Excellence – 2006

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Meijer, Inc. Promoting the Meijer Credit Cards WBT

Award of Excellence – 2005

The Society of Technical Communication Chicago Chapter Meijer, Inc. Print Quality WBT

Summit Bronze Award – 2005

Summit Creative Awards Meijer, Inc. New Team Member Welcome Explainer Video

Award of Excellence – 2004

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Meijer, Inc. PhotoLab WBT

Award of Merit – 2004

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Meijer, Inc. Loss Prevention Interviewing WBT

2009-2023

HCM Excellence Award – 2023

Brandon Hall Group Flexco Conveyor Systems Essentials Product Training Curriculum

Award of Merit – 2012

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Amway Global Adverse Effects (AE) WBT

Award of Merit – 2011

The Society of Technical Communication Twin Cities Chapter Land O’Lakes Calibrate™ Technologies Overview WBT

Award of Excellence – 2008

The Society of Technical Communication Chicago Chapter Meijer: Your Role in Stamping Out Shrink WBT

Award of Merit – 2011

The Society of Technical Communication West Michigan Shores Chapter Rockwell Collins Critical Thinking in Engineering CBT

Award of Excellence – 2010

The Society of Technical Communication San Diego Chapter Hewlett-Packard Company Large Format Signage Portfolio WBT

Award of Distinguished Technical Communication – 2010

The Society of Technical Communication Houston Chapter Hewlett-Packard Company HP Ethics & Compliance New Hire Course WBT

Award of Merit – 2010

The Society of Technical Communication Boston Chapter Waters Corporation Waters Peptide Mapping Module WBT

Silver Telly Winner – 2009

30th Annual Telly Awards Hewlett-Packard Company HPES–Better Business Outcomes Through Training Explainer Video

International Award of Distinguished Technical Communication – 2009

Society for Technical Communication International Technical Online Competition Hewlett-Packard Company HP Z6100 FedEx WBT

International Award of Excellence – 2009

Society for Technical Communication International Technical Online Competition Waters Corporation Food Safety Campaign WBT

Bronze Hermes Creative Award – 2009

Hermes Creative Awards Hewlett Packard Better Business Outcomes Explainer Video

Having worked with Jim on several instructional design projects over the years, I can attest to his extensive knowledge and abilities in instructional design. Jim is one of my go to guys because he is very efficient, he “gets it” right from the start without having to spend long hours in discussion. Always innovative, his design ideas are not just appropriate, but fresh. To top it off, he’s truly a great guy to work with and as honest and reliable as they come. It is easy for me to recommend Jim to anyone who needs a top notch instructional design professional.

 


Don Angotti
Principal Learning Specialist

  I have worked with James on several training development projects. His work is creative and up to my high standards for helping learners find and absorb the content easily. His work is timely, even quick when we need it! He pays attention to details and asks good questions that inspire even more innovation in the content and delivery. I would definitely recommend him as a partner on a development team. 


hplogoKellee Noonan
Program Manager

I have worked with James over the past 8-10 years on many projects. He is a very created and talented designer and has taken many of my initial thoughts/ideas and added his creativity to them to make them very professional. He is great to work with on projects and always listens and make decisions based on the needs we have. Based on his skills, personality and work ethic, I would definitely recommend James for any of your instructional design needs.


David Lopez Jr.
Talent Development Specialist

James Barnes is a talented and creative individual. He is very responsive to requests and his work exceeds expectations.


Faye Lepp
Program Manager

Jim is the greatest creative talent I have worked with in my entire corporate career. I have had the pleasure of working with him for over 10 years, and he really possesses a rare talent to be truly creative even with sometimes tight corporate guidelines. He is a pleasure to be around and operates independently. His design decisions are spot on and his attention to detail is second to none. He also has a great sense for usability and user experience.


Harrison Withers
Talent Development Leader

I have worked with Jim for many years on special projects that require talent from outside our company. He is always my first call. Jim’s creative talents are almost too broad to mention and he is proficient – maybe expert at many, many software programs. More than his technical skills, I appreciate his ability to conceive ideas from very limited information. He is truly one of the best design & animation people out there.


Joe Edick
President