In addition to the new international offices, RSM Design is also introducing its already established Arizona office. As the director of the Arizona Office, as well as, a senior designer at RSM Design Christy Montgomery brings eight years of experience to the table with a focus on branding and concept development. In addition to her design work with architectural graphics and signage, she puts her social science background to work connecting the dots from our clients to their end users. Her design methodology uses both data-driven analysis and creative thinking to build brands, brand narratives, and more meaningful connections.

Her work streamlines the process from vision to schematics, through sketching, drafting, analytics, design and research skills. She has worked on a broad range of commercial and non-profit projects for domestic and international clients with a focus on applications for the built environment. 

Her dedication to placemaking spans from the whimsical to the practical. She is quick to adapt to new challenges and is working closely with RSM on the development of new tools for clients that blends “clicks and bricks.” She deeply believes that experience has the power to create memories, alter behaviors and enrich the daily lives of our communities. She is driven by a passion for “experience design” that continues to push the boundaries and definition of environmental graphics design.

Christy has worked with property development teams at Shea Properties and Shea Homes on two large mixed-use base realignment projects that imagine entire communities from naming and logo design to the details of a historically-inspired park. She has designed standard manuals for California college campuses, technology parks and library systems. Her solutions are as varied as the project she works on and her inner librarian is committed to finding the perfect match between client goals and the target audience.

As the director of RSM Design’s Shanghai coordination and management office, Johnny works closely on our projects in China to assist the client and our design team with up to the minute communication and coordination efforts. Johnny has more then 20 years of experience in the field of architecture in both the US and Mainland China. He graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology and is a licensed architect in the state of Illinois, and with the team of designers, managers, and production specialists based in Shanghai, plays an important role in the successful implementation and coordination of the graphics with the local development and consultant team.

Johnny has worked with numerous worldwide renowned architecture firms and property developers on a variety of prominent commercial and residential projects in the US and Mainland China. These projects include, the Shanghai Times Square (100,000 sm) and the Shanghai Central Plaza (70,00 sm) with Wong & Ouyang, the Guangzhou Taiku Hui (400,000 sm) with Arquitectonica, the Shanghai K Wah Center (85,000 sm) with K Wah Group, the Shenyang Hang Lung Plaza (191,000 sm) with Hang Lung Properties.

Johnny continues to pursue the goal of design excellence and has the ablility to have a much broader and flexible control of design approaches within his office in Shanghai. These new efforts have helped him and his team win recognition from many clients as well as authorities.

Stefanie S. Ashton is a New York State registered architect and LEED Accredited Professional. While working for several of the top architectural firms in New York City, Stefanie combined her love of graphics with her commitment to innovative architectural, interior and environmental design.  

Stefanie has had a varied career ranging from designing homes and furnishings for celebrities, restaurants for renowned restaurateurs, retail meccas such as Barney’s New York and renovating New York’s Apollo Theater.  She has restored the liturgical elements of a Californian cathedral, updated an elite private school and her graphic design skills helped bring the “City Secrets” travel book series to life.

Most recently at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners in New York City, Stefanie was the lead interiors architect for the Natick Collection in Natick, Massachusetts.  Stefanie oversaw and collaborated with RSM on the comprehensive architectural graphics package, created entirely new tenant criteria packages as well as the award winning interiors. Stefanie has a Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture from Tulane University in New Orleans.  Having recently relocated to Geneva, Switzerland with her family, she is constantly inspired by the gorgeous views just outside her door.  

Stefanie’s passions include, letterpress stationery, making things with found objects, watching her son’s creative beginnings, and all things exceptionally designed.

“Off the Wall” Attitude Winner: Party in the Back, by William Schwartz

Creativity Winner: This is It, by Ashley Zwar

Originality Winner: Bobble Heads, by Martin Schwartz

Marketability Winner: Chalk it Up, by Kelly Ehrheart

Congratulations to the Winners! Who knows, maybe we’ll see these on the shelves at Vans sometime soon!