As Design Director, Sonya is dedicated to creating branding that is authentic and established through a collaborative journey. She likes to ascribe the Norwegian word “standhaftighet” to this process, a direct translation of “perseverance.”
Holding both a Bachelors and Masters in Fine Art for Graphic Design, Sonya has always worked in the creative space. Prior to joining Circa and opening the Greenville studio, Sonya was a Senior Art Director with DVL Seigenthaler and a Senior Designer at Freedom Forum First Amendment Center and Barnes & Co.
Her work has achieved numerous accolades including Addy, Parthenon, Print Magazine, and Telly awards recognizing excellence in advertising, branding, design, public relations, and film production.
Education:
- BA, Graphic Design, Appalachian State College, 1986-1990
- MFA, Graphic Design, Savannah College of Art & Design, 1990-1993
Awards/Accomplishments:
- Various Addy Awards from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) for non-profit annual reports and other marketing collateral
- Various Parthenon Awards from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for branding, marketing and corporate collateral, video and infographics
- National Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for branding
- Recognition in the Print Regional Design Annual for CD Packaging
- Gospel Music Association(GMA) Dove Award best music packaging nomination for Amazing Grace: A Country Salute to Gospel
- Telly Award for video: Georgia-Pacific and Sustainable Forestry
- Member of AIGA, American Institute of Graphic Design
- Member of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce
Fun Fact:
Sonya has two cats Poppy, and Itsy. Itsy was a kitten found on top of a Walgreen’s sign and has remained small, earning her name.