Hi there, I’m Amanda.

I’m a design leader with a passion for bringing ideas to life. My creative journey started way back when I was a kid, making fun collages on PicMonkey and editing goofy skits with my brother in Windows Movie Maker. Fast forward to college - I was working as a photographer at the university gym when my boss handed me my first design project: a poster for their new Woodway treadmills. Cue my deep dive into Adobe Illustrator - and the start of my love affair with design. Since then, I’ve been learning by doing, constantly experimenting, and refining my craft.

My process is rooted in curiosity, adaptability, and a hands-on approach, drawing inspiration from every creative challenge I’ve tackled along the way. I believe great design is a mix of strategy, storytelling, and a little bit of play - and I’m always excited to learn, grow, and create something awesome.

Some things I'm currently into: 

🎵 Fred again.. - His artistry is unreal. I love how he samples spoken word poetry and everyday conversations, transforming them into deeply emotional and energetic tracks.

🎧 Learning how to DJ - After attending 20 concerts this past year (including seeing my fav, Fred again..), I was inspired to learn my way around the decks. Currently taking suggestions for a DJ name!

📺 Curb Your Enthusaism - The Larry David classic. I cringe/laugh so hard at the situations he gets into. My husband and I also love spotting “Larry” moments in our daily lives.

Words from colleagues

  • Amanda is a highly creative, organized, and collaborative professional. As a multimedia designer at Cisco, she took initiative in developing visual standards for our team, working closely with both instructional designers and developers. Amanda's leadership shone through as she fostered a collaborative environment where every team member felt their input was valued, leading to a successful outcome. Her ability to build cross-functional relationships and deliver above expectations makes her an asset to any team.

    Lisa Meyers
    Experience Design Manager

  • Amanda is an exceptional design leader. As both a peer and manager at Cisco, I witnessed her strong leadership during user design-thinking workshops for a new customer-training portal. Amanda led with confidence and a calm, welcoming presence that encouraged participation and brought out the best in the team. She then took the insights from those workshops and successfully delivered a well-designed, engaging portal under tight deadlines. I highly recommend Amanda for her strategic mindset, grace under pressure, and ability to elevate those around her.

    Linda Snyder
    Learning & Development Manager

  • Amanda is a standout design leader. Over the year and a half we worked together, I saw her excel in multiple roles—creating captivating motion graphics, leading social media strategy, and single-handedly designing the UX for our new learning portal. Her ability to juggle so many responsibilities is truly impressive. Beyond her technical skills, Amanda is a fantastic mentor. She generously shared her expertise, particularly in multimedia design, and helped me grow by collaborating on Adobe After Effects projects. Her kindness, empathy, and leadership make her an invaluable team member, and I’m confident she’ll continue to thrive wherever she goes.

    Momoka Keicho
    Instructional Designer

  • Amanda is a creative force at Cisco. As a multimedia designer, she brings clarity and life to our projects, crafting impactful instructional videos, motion graphics, and visuals. Her collaborative approach ensures that every voice—whether from subject matter experts, instructional designers, or fellow creatives—is heard in the final product. This has been key in enhancing customer understanding of Cisco's security products. A standout moment was Amanda's leadership in the Security Academy, where she successfully led design-thinking workshops and managed complex project production. Beyond her technical skills, Amanda’s genuine care for the team and users truly sets her apart—she’s not just creating content, she’s crafting experiences.

    Adam Valuckas
    Multimedia Designer

  • I highly recommend my colleague Amanda for any design leadership position. Her exceptional talent, kind nature, and compassionate approach make her a great leader. Her ability to stay cool and professional in difficult situations sets her apart. Amanda is skilled at ensuring everyone feels valued. Her guidance and mentorship help junior designers grow both personally and professionally. Amanda is a talented, compassionate, and outstanding leader in multimedia design. I wholeheartedly recommend them for any design leadership role.

    Rebecca Cottongim
    Instructional Designer

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