Who We Are
Hello. You've found the premier brand communication firm located in Central New York. We create thoughtful, considerate solutions that meet our clients needs and exceeds their expecations. As a team, we have been doing design thinking long before it was on the cover of business magazines. It's who we are, what we do. We live and breathe this stuff. This is part of our story.
 Nathan Eaton |
 Christine Walker |
 Marc V. Stress |
Agents of Change
Nathan Eaton
In addition to top interactive design, identity, and print design skill set, Nate brings a strong understanding and expertise of motion graphics and presentation design to our team. Nate's education includes an AAS in Graphic Design from SUNY OCC, and a BFA Graphic Design from University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he received Dean's List Commendation. Nate is a collaborative thinker and has been instrumental in developing targeted communications solutions and establishing brand awareness to realize client objectives. His design responsibilities include publications, corporate collateral, identity systems and web interfaces, presentation design and motion graphics. Since joining stressdesign in 2007, Nate's work has recived numerous accolades including portfolios.com, Gold, American Corporate Identity, American Graphic Design Award, PICA, Special Judges Award - Favorite in Show.
Why do stressdesign clients love you?
My hair! Sorry Marc, but I think I got ya beat. My hair perfection is realized through a secret combination of proprietary pomades, hair mud and pixie dust.
What made you become a designer?
No one wants a boring job, I get paid to be creative all day and then apply those thoughts to Identities and brand communications. How could you want to do anything else?
It’s Saturday afternoon, 2 p.m. Sunny, 70º. Where are you?
A rock concert. with a bunch of friends and a cooler of beer.
What was your favorite children’s book?
There were these books about different dinosaurs, each book would be named after a different species and you would follow their daily life. I don't remember the title or author, but I loved reading those.
Answer 3 other questions.
I spy something green.
My parents are my Heros.
My super power would be Psychokinesis.
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Christine Walker
Christine's earlier beginnings started at a small
interactive company, and then to one of the leading integrated marketing agencies in the Northeast. In 2003, stressdesign became a perfect fit.
Since then, and now, Christine has an amazing ability to help our clients shape their messages into exceptionally well-balanced and functionally perfect communication tools. She has been recognized locally and internationally from the likes of the Ad Club, Creativity, Graphic Design USA, Portfolios.com, and Print.
Christine has developed a range of communications materials for clients such as ADT, FAO Schwartz, Peculiar Pair Press, Sallie Mae, and Syracuse University.
When not at stressdesign, she focuses her design accumen on her boutique Concepcioun Handmade Journals, specializing in writing and sketching journals and custom wedding guest books.
What do your co-workers say about you?
That I can be totally sarcastic, cynical, but a good person and, for the most part, good to work with. You may want to ask them to get the truth.
Where is the most exotic place you’ve ever been?
Riviera Maya, Mexico
If money were no object, what kind of car would you drive?
A monster truck.
What is the worst live performance you’ve been too?
Karaoke at Amy and Tim's house. There was an abundance of heart, a drought of talent.
If you could only have one kind of blank, what would it be?
Oh, I don't know. Blanks are really rare. I would really have to think about that one because you really don't come across blanks that often.
Collect, Discard, Recycle, Reuse? Discuss.
Discard, Recycle, and or reuse. Anything but collect. Collecting does nothing but clutter the mind and leave a mess. Though reuse and recycle would be my preference. Otherwise, it is just plain laziness.
Who is your design icon? Why?
Lester Beall. Because he had great design, business, and illustrative skills. He was a well rounded creative. Thanks RIT Design Archives.
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Leadership
Marc V. Stress
Marc founded stressdesign in 2000 after nearly a decade of working in the industry. Marc's career history includes stints in small design boutiques, in-house design studios and in one of the largest design firms in the Northeast. Marc built stressdesign on those experiences, and set out to create an design focused office that includes client insight and creativity as part of the process. Throughout his career Marc has worked with many industries that stressdesign still interacts with today including Business to Business, Consumer Goods, Heavy Industry, Luxury, Professional Service, Education, and Not-For-Profit. Marc has served AIGA locally and Nationally since 2000, most recently on a National Task force for social media. In 2008 Marc was selected as a GD USA People To Watch. In addition to serving on professional and community boards, Marc is a frequent speaker at conferences and lectures discussing the business of creativity and design.
What’s your favorite album?
Toy Matinée a Kevin Gilbert studio project circa 1990. You should listen to it. Way ahead of its time. Still sounds like it was just released. If you're looking for something more recent, please enjoy Thievery Corporation.
Collect, Discard, Recycle, Reuse? Discuss.
Collect, Reuse. I am a pack-rat by nature, it's very hard for me to throw anything out. When I do,
I try to be responsible. I remain skeptical about what actually happens to the recycling after if leaves my blue bin. I hope it goes to the right place.
What’s your favorite thing about working at stressdesign?
That I get to work in my hometown doing graphic design for a living.
What do you do when you’re not rocking clients?
I've got a 4-year old, so he keeps me and my wife pretty busy. We love to travel — mostly by car — all over the northeast, hiking, walking the dog, skiing.
If money were no object, what kind of car would you drive?
I would have a fleet of vehicles, and a garage to put them in.
What do your co-workers say about you?
Please stop singing.
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Administrative
Kathy Opett
Kathy has been working in and around the Design Industry for more than 17 years. She exudes professionalism in everything that she does. We often wonder how we got along without her.
What do you do when you’re not rocking clients?
Rockin' with my family, including my future rockstar son.
What’s your favorite album?
Dude, we're on CD's.
What’s the farthest away from home that you’ve been?
Cancun, Mexico- and no I did not bring back the H1N1.
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
At Virginia Beach, alone with my family and a pitcher of Pina Coladas.
What do you value most about design?
That other people do it and I can enjoy looking at it.