Portfolio Overview

I designed this brochure that opened up into a poster as a pro-bono piece for the Columbus Zoo. All of the photographs were provided by a photo club that the zoo gives behind the scenes access. For more examples of my print design, visit the 2D portfolio page.

For close to 10 years I was a designer and account representative for the Federal Express corporate identity. I was responsible for the consistent application of their logo and identity elements to vehicles, signage, facilities, packaging, and products all over the world. This also included the maintenance of their corporate identity manual. Additional examples of this sort of work can be seen on the corporate image and identity portfolio page and the environmental design portfolio page.

John Ayotte
8191 Morse Rd New Albany OH 43054
614 855 7690 john@jmadesign.com

I developed the signage for the 1105 Schrock Road building while it was still under construction, using the same precast concrete and stainless steel that were prominent in the building and an onsite sculpture. The 1105 numbers were also applied to the upper facade of the building and backlit for visibility from the interstate. I also designed a property management marketing brochure as part of this project.

As the "Design Futurist" and manager of the "Concept Design Team" for Frigidaire, I directed the development of a trio of hot, cold, wet new products (based on near term technologies). The small refrigerator with a "quick chill" feature for bottled beverages is shown here. Other examples of my product design may be seen on the 3D portfolio page.

"Contemporary Textures" was the title of a printed piece that I designed for Grange Insurance. It was a catalog of their collection of contemporary American art that was displayed in their new office building. The catalog was built around a series of photographs of the works of art set into a larger shot of a detail from the piece. The interior design firm I was with at the time also designed the office space and consulted on the acquisition of many of the pieces in the collection. More print examples are located on the 2D design portfolio page.

Point your cursor at the images below for more information about the projects in this portfolio overview...

Mine Safety Appliances was looking for improvements to their breathing apparatus. My efforts were concentrated on the graphics used for quick identification of the various filter canisters available, and the human factors of the product. Ensuring that the canisters could be quickly changed, and that the proper ones were in use in life threatening situations were prime objectives in this project.

For Hillman Fasteners I provided type, graphics, and color coding that improved shelf visibility and made it easier for consumers to find the specific product they were looking for.

Huntington Banks was running a "Precision Banking" campaign when they asked me to design a trade show exhibit for them. I focused on their theme with a giant tuning fork, magnifying glass, and compass.

When Midway Airlines decided to reinvent itself as a business class carrier, I designed and managed a complete corporate identity program for them. This program included everything from the new logo and color scheme to the graphics on the planes, the terminal signage and interiors, the uniforms, the food packaging, and stationary and printed materials.

3D computer modeling provides a fast, and cost effective way to evaluate new design concepts before committing to costly models and prototypes. I did this rendering of a washing machine agitator as part of a study of the use of form details could help communicate the function of the product.

These collateral materials represent the Corporate Identity program that I developed for Simuflite Training International, a flight training company for corporate jet pilots. This program also included the housing and graphics for the flight simulators, signage, and a workstation for computer based learning.

While working on the Federal Express corporate identity program we suggested that they change the name used for their image to FedEx. To reserve the name and show it in use for future trademark registration I designed this graphic for their feeder aircraft. Many years later, after I was no longer involved with their identity, they actually did finally adopt the FedEx name.

An exciting corporate identity opportunity was presented to me while with Frigidaire. The company had become involved in a marketing program that included sponsorship of a Sprint car. I designed the paint scheme and logo applications for the car, and the uniform for the driver.

During the construction of The Quarry office building I was asked to develop the interior and exterior signage. For the main site sign I had a large piece of limestone brought up from the floor of the quarry that the cantilevered building overhangs, and directed the stone cutters in carving the logo into its face.

This exhibit was designed for Simuflight Training International to introduce the companies corporate jet pilot training program and included a working model of their flight simulators. It also served as the introduction of their new corporate image program that I coordinated the development of.

While with Frigidaire I worked on product development for all catagories of major appliances; hot, cold and wet. This ceramic cooktop was part of the "Barcelona" design family of softer, more organic products intended to move the Frigidaire brand further upscale.

The kitchen shown here was designed by the architect Duo Dickensen under the direction of Robin Edman, the VP of Design for Frigidaire, and myself as part of our exhibit for the Kitchen and Bath trade show. It served as a showcase for our new Frigidaire Gallery products, and as a demonstration of a number of unique ideas in kitchen design (such as elevated dishwashers and cutlery drawers that could be accessed from both the preperation and serving side of the space.

This family of packages for engine treatments was developed as part of a complete identity program for Duration. The program also included the logo development, literature, signage, and the interior and exterior of the service centers (an early entry into the quick-lube market.

The corporate identity program for Midway Airlines included many elements. Some of the most exciting work was with the interior of the terminal, including the ticketing areas and gates. Besides developing the application of the logo in these areas I introduced the first (to the best of my knowledge) use of a programmable electronic message board for flight information at the gates.