I am a student of culture, trends and the communication techniques that bring the two together. 

I have spent my career studying what motivates people to act, how those actions unfold to meet needs and the various communication touchpoints that inspire people to act. From motivation to execution, my career in communications has centered on harnessing the data and insights of our shared humanity to create communications that drive action.

Work Experience

Project More Happy | Founder, Chief Happiness Designer
Project More Happy exists where the power of marketing intersects with the Pillars of Happiness. Using mass media, we strive to teach people to think like designers so they are equipped and empowered to design a happier world for themselves and others. 

For more information or to get involved, visit projectmorehappy.com

HappyU.Online | Founder, Happiness Teacher
Project More Happy’s home for online courses that translate the science of happiness into action for students. I researched, wrote, designed, recorded, edited and promoted all courses for HappyU. 

Great Brand Parents | Co-Founder, Chief Creative Officer
Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer over all agency projects, serving clients in financial services, health and wellness, CPG, retail and sports marketing. 

B-R | Creative Director, Art
Creative and strategy lead responsible for brand storytelling across all media platforms. As a member of the new business team, I also regularly developed pitch strategies and creative campaigns.

Global Prairie | Creative Director, Art
Uncovered insights, embraced strategy and created unique experiences rooted in brand purpose and creative storytelling.

Lyonford Creative | Owner, Creative Director and Strategist
From business strategy to website design and everything in between, I told the stories that mattered to the people who cared.

The Company of Others | ACD Art, Creative Strategist
Worked alongside accounts and media to shape strategy prior to translating for creative output. 

Barkley | Art Director
Trained in sociology and copywriting but armed with the skills of a designer, I brought to life the kernels of truth that led to engaging brand narratives. 

Crispin Porter + Bogusky | Creative Intern
Interning as a creative in an agency inspired by insight taught me to ground all brand stories and marketing in the customer’s day-to-day realities. 

Education

Chicago Portfolio School | Copywriting
Learned the craft of storytelling from a brand perspective.

TCU | Sociology & AdPR
Studied the nuance of society alongside the power of marketing. 

Brand Experience

Bayer Crop Science
Bluebird Bontanicals
CaringBand
Coke Zero
Comeback KC
Gulf Oil
The Kansas City Chiefs
Kauffman Foundation
Internet Access Support Program
McDonalds
Old Dominion Freight Lines
Phillips 66 Aviation
Sonic Drive-In
Volkswagen
Waste Management

Skills

Adobe After Effects
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premiere Pro
Branding and Identity
Canva
Design Theory
Design Thinking
Letterpress Printing
Prototyping
Screenprinting

jlyonford@gmail.com

816.585.1431