MY DESIGN JOURNEY
If you were to flip through my Baldwin High School yearbook, you’d find one message repeated again and again: “To a really good drawer!” (heart, smiley face). To my fellow alumni—thank you for the early encouragement and the pithy talent assessment. After we graduated, I went on to earn my BFA in Design from Carnegie Mellon University, and today I can confidently say I’m a far better “drawer” than I was back then.
Professionally, choosing to pursue the art of design was the best decision I could have made. The industry has evolved—tools, expectations, and deliverables—but my instinct to create meaningful, high‑quality work has only grown stronger. I’m grateful to the many talented colleagues who have taught me, challenged me, and helped shape the way I work today.
This website is a curated selection of career projects that reflects the range of canvases I’ve designed throughout my career. It features recent work from my current role as an Art Director at Caterpillar’s Ironworks Creative, alongside select pieces from my archives—chosen not only for their execution but for the memorable experiences behind them.
Below is a condensed résumé that reflects my design journey, creative leadership roles, and ability to guide complex creative processes from concept through execution.
Thank you for visiting—and Go Highlanders!
Cheers,
Kurt
April 2026
STOPS ALONG THE ROAD
2024 >
ART DIRECTOR
Caterpillar Inc. - Ironworks
As a member of Caterpillar’s Ironworks creative agency, I contribute to high‑capacity workflows while overseeing art direction and guiding the creative process for Tier 3 designers and copywriters.
2014-2024
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Advance Ohio - cleveland.com
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
Marcus Thomas / Highmark Health / EY / Synchrony / HMT
As Creative Director at Advance Ohio, I led multi‑disciplinary teams across Cleveland, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids, producing RFP pitches and campaigns that helped win and produce new business for cleveland.com advertising. I oversaw the creative process from intake through execution and managed quarterly performance and salary reviews, as well as the recruitment and onboarding of new creative hires.
2003-2014
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Brunner / Elisco Creative Cafe
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
Lava New Media LLC
As Creative Director at Brunner, I worked with an amazing design team and managed end‑to‑end creative processes, while serving as creative lead on RFP pitches that drove new business wins. I also led multiple rebranding initiatives for fully integrated (360°) client accounts across Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, and Atlanta.
< 2002
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / PARTNER
Valenta Platt Design Group LLC
ART DIRECTOR
Bradley Brown Design Group LLC
Founded Valenta Platt Design Group, serving academic, banking, healthcare, heavy‑industry, start‑up, and non‑profit clients. At Bradley Brown, I served as art director on the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s signature yearbook publication, supporting the annual Induction Ceremony as well as ongoing museum exhibits and events.
A SAMPLE OF CAREER BRANDS INCLUDE
BRETT COMPTON
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
OUTDOOR FLICS
I had the opportunity to collaborate with Kurt on numerous projects over the five years we worked together at Brunner. He is exceptionally talented, detail‑oriented, and consistently dependable. Whether developing a new branding campaign or reimagining a restaurant’s guest experience—from custom coffee cups to thoughtfully designed outdoor furnishings—Kurt delivers work of the highest caliber.
MIKE TIERNO
STRATEGIC SALES EXECUTIVE
RR DONNELLEY
I attended CMU’s Design program with Kurt, and while his work was exceptional even then, he has since become a truly complete professional. Whether I need a major creative concept or a comprehensive rebranding effort, Kurt consistently delivers strategic, high‑quality design work with professional integrity.
JOHN D. PLATT
SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE
BROUDY PRINTING
I regard Kurt’s capabilities as truly exceptional across strategic marketing, design, and project management. His creative vision is consistently strong, and he demonstrates a highly developed aptitude for solving complex challenges. Any organization or client would be fortunate to have Kurt directing their marketing initiatives.
