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Summer Kohlhorst

About Me

Maker of Awesomeness at Center Centre – UIE

A Jane of all trades infusing my love of learning into everything I create for Center Centre – UIE.

As a leader in the organization, I’ve helped the team launch Center Centre’s UX professional development programs, and Leader of Awesomeneness’s online UX Strategy-focused programs. I integrate my marketing, visual design, front-end development, public relations, and communication skills to tackle new challenges. Through Leaders of Awesomeness, I work to connect user experience professionals together, giving them the support they need to grow their professional skills and deliver better-designed experiences into the world.

Things I geek out on

  • Typography

  • Design Styles

  • Growing Design Teams

  • Disney (I’m a weird Disney Adult)

  • Theme Parks (again Disney Adult here)

  • Horror movies

  • Funny-looking Cats (I have a sphynx)


Journey Owner/Designer

Designer, Event Manager, a Real Jane of all Trades…

I’ve worn many hats while working at Center Centre and went from being a graphic designer to a front-end developer to a marketing manager, and to now an all-around journey owner. I put myself into every detail of our program management to make sure the full user journey—the outcome we were working towards—comes to be.

I oversee and execute the design of in-person experiences, printed materials, user journies, and internal team processes. I manage a marketing team, event planning, and program development. I’m an integral part of our hiring processes and even helped to build an entire higher education school (seriously, I’ve done the paperwork).

 
Summer Kohlhorst Business Card Design

I’ve designed most of the print materials for Center Centre including our business cards.

We took the names of 1,200 Kickstarter backers and turned their names into our Wall of Awesomeness.

I’ve designed physical signage, posters, handouts, worksheets, and so much more.

Jared Spool introducing Mike Monteiro for a large Speaking event

I’ve manage event production and design for large speaking events.

I’ve manage the schedules of month long programs, bringing in regular speakers and workshop needs.


Strategy & Marketing

Map of a Business Funnel System

As a lead of marketing, I work with my team to build intentional experiences for our audience to engage with our organization. This map shows how our audience finds our business, comes into our free community space, can go through specific topic paths, and then make their way into our larger paid program. This map allows us to make sure our customers’ next steps are thought-out and meet their needs.

Coaching Customer Touch Point

As a a lead of customer success, I work to make sure our programs are mapped out so there are built-in touchpoints with our clients. We work to make sure we hear their success, feedback, and still looming challenges. We work together to create seamless onboard and offboarding experiences that allow our clients to feel heard and map out the ways we can support them next.

Community Offer Experience

As a lead of community programming, I oversaw the needs of over 40,000 community members. Each member has different needs and abilities to engage with our programs. I created this experience map to help us best serve our members and direct them to the programs for them. We consider program cost, time commitment, team participation, and what success looks like for them.


Branding & Visual Design

Center Centre – UIE

For 10 years I’ve created, managed, and built full branding programs, projects, and brands. Everything from Leaders of Awesomeness to How to Win Stakeholders & Influence Decisions.

ChaTech Council

I’ve had the opportunity to help my community by giving a complete branding refresh for The ChaTech Council. Updating their logo, colors, typography, and visual style.

Freelance Design

I’ve also had the opportunity to create branding and design needs for clients and personal projects. Projects like Campr, where I still can’t get over how much I love that A.


Website & Email Pattern Designs

Center Centre – UIE Ecosystem

Center Centre – UIE has multiple brands and programs within the org. As lead of design, I managed each brand’s design and identity for web and email. I created overall design pattern libraries to work across the various brand website and email needs. Creating overall structure, code patterns, and design styles that are made to be broken when needed to fit a specific brand. I worked with my web-development team to design, code, and set up these patterns.


In the Community

Chattanooga, TN

I work to improve my community by helping other people advance their design, development, and professional skills. To achieve this, I'm a member of the board of directors for The ChaTech Council, I’m a committee member for ChaTech’s Membership and Marketing committee and ChaTech Women.

I’ve also been involved with Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute, Toastmasters International, AIGA Chattanooga, CodeXX, and UX Chattanooga.

International Leaders of Awesomeness Community

I love connecting with other UX professionals and coaching them on the ways they can focus their talents to make some serious awesomeness in their organization. Feel free to join our Leaders Community and reach out to me to connect. :)

Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga Bridge from underneath lit up at night.
Chattanooga Chamber Building with a Center Centre Banner