Innovative, creative, empathetic, and detail-driven professional with a passion for transforming and communicating complex information through accessible, visually engaging content for educational, editorial, academic, and professional audiences. Combining expertise in information and data design, curriculum development, design thinking, and editorial workflows, I seek to contribute to organizations that value visual storytelling, instructional content creation, and inclusive design practices. My goal is to collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop informative, impactful content that enhances learning experiences and improves user engagement across print and digital platforms.
Core Skills
Design and Creative Direction, Brand Consistency, & Visual Identity — Overseeing creation of digital and print materials. Provide creative direction on brand strategy, ensuring designs align with the brand identity, messaging, and market positioning. Review and approve designs, artwork, photography, and graphics developed by a team, ensuring they meet specific needs.
Information Design & Visual Storytelling — Adept at crafting clear, engaging visual layouts for editorial content through typography, photography, and information design to communicate voice and story in both long and short-form content.
Technical, Scientific Illustration & Cartography — Creating accurate and detailed visuals, including information graphics, technical illustrations, and maps that make abstract or complex content accessible and visually intuitive to diverse audiences.
Adobe Creative Suite Mastery — Proficient in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and XD, with a focus on layout design, digital content creation, digital prototyping, and visual assets for educational and editorial purposes.
Presentation & Data Design — Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, or Canva, with a focus on data storytelling through integration of data dashboards and charts created in Tableau and Excel.
Design Thinking & Project-Based Learning — Applying design thinking methodologies to develop learner-centered, project-based curricula, encouraging critical thinking and creative problem-solving in educational content.
Remote Editorial Design, Agile & Collaborative Workflows — Experienced in managing remote workflows and collaborating with editorial teams, using tools like Asana, Slack, and Google Workspace to ensure seamless project execution in both educational and publishing settings.
Digital & Social Media Design — Creating dynamic, attention-grabbing user interfaces and graphics for websites, digital ads, social media, blogs, and marketing campaigns to boost engagement and visibility.
Independent Art Director
& Information Designer
MARK LESH DESIGN
Richmond, VT
2012 - Present
Lead print and digital editorial projects, specializing in art direction, publication design, illustration, information graphics, and cartography for a diverse client base.
Partnered with creative and editorial teams across various industries—home and design, science and education, food and wellness, and travel—to translate complex ideas into compelling visual content tailored to target audiences.
Delivered user-focused design solutions that enhance storytelling, improve reader engagement, and ensure brand consistency across publications.
STEAM Educator & Program Developer
MILTON TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Milton, VT
2020 - 2022
Designed and delivered student-centered, project-based curricula focused on integrating science, technology, art, and design thinking to enhance problem-solving and creative skills.
Founded the Milton STEAM Program and the Milton Innovation Center, building an information-rich learning environment that combined visual storytelling, technical illustration, and digital tools to engage learners across disciplines.
Created custom instructional materials, infographics, and interactive content to simplify complex concepts for students from 5th to 12th grade and support diverse learning styles.
Applied Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to ensure accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring all learners could engage with visual content in meaningful ways.
Led design studio sessions, teaching visual communication, technical illustration, and information design to prepare students for real-world applications in creative industries.
Developed and delivered instructional content for science courses on sustainability and Integrated Earth Sciences, ensuring that complex environmental topics were presented in clear, engaging formats.
Created customized learning materials to support students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans, applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to ensure accessibility and equity in learning outcomes.
Collaborated with educators to adapt curriculum and instructional strategies, using visual aids, diagrams, and simplified content to enhance understanding for diverse learners.
Supported students in achieving academic goals across multiple subjects, focusing on content clarity, visual communication, and individualized accommodations to improve engagement and comprehension.
Substitute Teacher
& Paraeducator
CHAMPLAIN VALLEY UNION
HIGH SCHOOL
Hinesburg, VT
2018 - 2020
Art Director &
Digital Creative Director
SKIING MAGAZINE
Boulder, CO
2006 - 2012
Led cross-functional creative teams in the production of print and digital content, coordinating photography, illustration, graphic design, and editorial workflows to deliver cohesive, audience-focused publications.
Redesigned the magazine’s visual identity to improve clarity and engagement, applying information design principles to enhance readability and streamline complex content for diverse readers.
Developed creative strategy for interactive digital version of the magazine, utilizing digital storytelling tools to create dynamic, multimedia learning experiences that improved accessibility and user engagement.
Directed the creation of infographics, maps, and visual assets to support editorial content, ensuring that data and concepts were visually communicated in clear, intuitive ways.
Collaborated with editorial teams to refine content strategies, focusing on audience comprehension and engagement across print, web, and mobile platforms.
Illustrator & Sole Proprietor
A-FRAME MAPS & ILLUSTRATION
Boulder, CO
2004 - 2006
Specialized in hand-painted maps for outdoor enthusiast, scientific, and environmental publications.
Geologist & GIS Analyst
GLORIETA GEOSCIENCE
Santa Fe, NM
2003 - 2004
Developed and maintained environmental and hydrogeologic datasets throughout New Mexico.
Work included environmental site assessment, groundwater monitoring, water well sitting and design, drilling oversight, map production, and scientific illustration.
EDUCATION
PURDUE UNIVERSITY M.S. 2002
Earth & Atmospheric Sciences with emphasis on Geographic Information Systems
THE COLORADO COLLEGE B.A, 1998
Geology with emphasis on Studio Art
CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE Spring 2018
Teacher Apprenticeship Program
CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Vermont Educator - Grades 7-12 Science
Vermont Master Naturalist
Colorado Master Gardner
VOLUNTEER WORK
Committee Member - Camel’s Hump Challenge for the Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter
Ski Instructor - Cochran’s Ski Area after-school program
President - Sylvan Knoll Roadway Association, Richmond, Vermont
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Mark loves skiing, cycling, flyfishing, drawing, painting, photography, gardening, beekeeping, cooking, music, and spending time with family.