Marketing:
PORT
PORT
Marketing & Business Development Manager
Photography / Narrative Development / Creative Direction / Strategy / Procurement / Collateral
PORT is a public realm and urban design consultancy. As the inaugural (and sole) marketing professional, Lauren worked closely with the firm’s executive leadership to build out the firm’s marketing infrastructure, identify new business opportunities, build teaming strategies, and advance PORT’s market reputation. She managed all procurement activities, the Go/No-go process (across North America), and produced countless RFQ/P responses. Lauren also oversaw PORT’s brand refresh (led by Pixel Parlor) and art directed the redevelopment of PORT’s website. She curated and crafted content for PORT’s website, media platforms, newsletters, and collateral.
Programs/Interfaces used: Adobe CS, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Gusto, QuickBooks, Dropbox, Rhinoceros, LinkedIn, Instagram, Mailchimp, WordPress.
Proposals & Marketing Collateral*
Teaming Strategy / Creative Direction / Copywriting / Project Approach / Project Schedule / Fee Projections / Binding & Printing
Together with executive leadership, Lauren was responsible for growing PORT’s portfolio and developing new business for the firm. Lauren oversaw prepositioning efforts, identified projects, outlined teaming strategies (internal and external) and crafted all proposals. In addition to the graphic development of proposal content, her contributions to the procurement process regularly included crafting the project approach in response to RFQ/P requirements, outlining project schedules to align with project timelines, and fee projections to adhere to project budgets.
*Photographs included in proposals were provided by others.
Installation Oversight, Project Photography & Guided Tours
Photography / Videography / Communication Strategy / Public Relations & Guided Tours / Installation Oversight
For the 2021 Edition of the Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB), PORT partnered with Lendlease on the site-specific installation, “River Frames”. Lauren oversaw the installation of the project, managing a team of electricians, construction personnel, and a crane operator. She also served as a photographer/videographer for the completed project and led site visits and tours as part of the Biennial programming.
Lauren’s photographs were featured in the following publications: Architectural Digest, Fast Company, and whitewall.
Website: Primary Navigation Pages & Project Pages*
Creative Direction / User Experience Design / Narrative Development / Copywriting / Image Editing
In collaboration with senior leadership and third party consultants, Lauren led the creative direction and user experience design for PORT’s website. To support this process, Lauren also curated and developed project content—both graphic and written narratives—to align core messaging and content organization, ensuring consistency of voice, tone, flow, and style from project to project.
*Graphic identity/brand extension was developed by Pixel Parlor and Verbal Brand Guidelines were developed by AKcelerate.
Events & Activities: Girls Build Day
Public Relations / Design / Mentorship & Training / Activity Development / Social Media Campaigns
PORT participated in a Girls Build Day event at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC). Lauren coordinated PORT’s participation in this event and represented the PORT team, leading event attendees through a series of three hands-on activities. Leveraging her experience in architectural education and multi-generational community engagement, Lauren worked with CAC staff to develop the three activities that explored the impact of public space through the mediums of drawing, collage, and writing.
Social Media & Newsletter Graphics
Creative Direction / Design / Copywriting
Lauren created bespoke graphics for multiple platforms including social media and newsletters. For social media material, Lauren iterated/abstracted graphic elements extracted from PORT’s logo (ie. the positive and negative space generated by the “o” along with portions of other letters). Lauren also developed the concept for, and branding of, a quarterly newsletter for the firm.
Site, Context, & Event Photography
Photography / Narrative Development
To supplement the written narratives in project proposals and to communicate an understanding of project sites and their adjacencies, Lauren documented numerous project sites and their context. She also photographed events, presentations, and workshops for use on PORT’s website and media platforms.
