# Madison Urich > Founder + Executive Director @ Nora & Co. | Freelance Experiential Art Director + Designer Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/madisonurich As an award-winning designer and founder, I thrive at the convergence of creative problem solving, entrepreneurship, and empathy-led strategy. From collaborating with artisans in villages across third world countries addressing economic injustice to crafting experiential campaigns for the world’s leading brands, I believe design is the most compelling agent to influence behaviors and facilitate change. I'm currently accepting freelance roles as an Art Director + Designer in experiential marketing and brand design. In my previous role as Senior Designer at Gradient I was the creative lead on experiential marketing campaigns with a client roster that includes Lamborghini, Cartier, L’Oréal Portfolio, Kiehl's, Urban Decay, Armani Beauty, Audemars Piguet, and more. I’ve been a senior team member on projects winning Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards from the likes of Eventex, Hermes, the Experience Design & Technology Awards, and Sephoria. ​Gradient has been named one of the most innovative and agile experiential marketing firms operating globally. I founded a nonprofit, Nora & Co. (previously Cora), out of my college apartment in 2020. Nora & Co. is redeeming the healing process for student survivors of sexual violence across university campuses by restoring dignity, honoring courage, cultivating belonging, and facilitating justice. Nora & Co. made the leap from paper to practice upon taking first place in the Penn State Arts Business Competition in 2020. In 2022, Nora & Co was honored as a Design for Life award recipient for its impact as a socially responsive initiative successfully demonstrating the role design plays in improving the quality of life, the human condition, and society. Nora & Co. is currently piloted in partnership with Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania as we continue to grow our redemptive vision for the flourishing of survivors nationally. I am a 2020 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, Stuckeman School of Design where I earned my Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design and dual minors in Architecture and Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Arts Focus. My senior year, I was awarded an international gold award in the Graphis New Talent Annual 2020. Upon graduation, I was elected as the youngest member to sit on the Penn State Graphic Design Board of Directors where I currently serve to ideate and establish curriculum improvements, support faculty initiatives, guide the development of a healthy and diverse community, and work with students to prepare them for post-graduate design careers. ## Work Experience ### Founder & Chief Executive Officer, President of the Board @ Nora & Co. Jan 2024 – Present ### Experiential Art Director + Designer @ Madison Urich Jan 2025 – Present Freelance Experiential Art Director + Designer. Clients include e.l.f. Cosmetics, Vuori, Lancome, L'Oreal Groupe, Vita Coco, and more. ### Penn State Graphic Design APG Board Member @ Penn State University Jan 2021 – Present ### Senior Designer @ GRADIENT Jan 2022 – Jan 2025 | New York City Metropolitan Area ### Designer @ GRADIENT Jan 2022 – Jan 2022 | New York City Metropolitan Area ### Jr. Graphic Designer & Animator @ GRADIENT Jan 2020 – Jan 2022 ### Creative Intern @ GRADIENT Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 | New York City Metropolitan Area ### Website Designer @ Lonnie Graham Jan 2019 – Jan 2024 + website design and information architecture for internationally recognized photographer and artist + learn principles of photography and self-employed artist strategies + learn ethics and characteristics of global humanitarian work through art + learn work and qualities of people groups of diverse cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic identities ### Competitive Sports Supervisor @ Penn State University Jan 2017 – Jan 2020 | University Park, Pennsylvania + supervise Program Assistants, Officials, and participants on a nightly basis + coordinate personnel according to experience and skill level + supervise Penn State Club Sports events + respond to conflict including resource management and customer service + ensure safety of all persons as priority + promoted to Supervisor after 1 year of officiating ### Graphic Designer @ Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC) Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 + research grant designer of Penn State University, Stuckeman School of Architecture ### Designer @ Joel Fitzpatrick Studio Jan 2019 – Jan 2019 | Greater New York City Area + work closely with Joel Fitzpatrick: an experienced interdisciplinary designer and creative entrepreneur + learn business management methods of a small studio + develop marketing graphics for email campaigns and social media + develop decks sent to present and prospective clients + photograph venues for New York Fashion Week and other events + learn acquisition and management of real estate in Brooklyn and Manhattan + attend client meetings and learn client relation building ### Product Designer @ Ten Thousand Villages US Jan 2018 – Jan 2018 | Akron, Pennsylvania + lead design and production processes for jewelry and personal accessories for nationwide retail + collaborate with artisans in Cambodia, Indonesia, India, and others + illustrate designs and patterns + write step by step instructions for creation of items including materials, measurements, and more + analyze trend reports to ideate and curate shapes, colors, materials, and more for product capsule launches + analyze buying trends to determine customer interests and desires + photograph items after production + work in office within a team of designers, buyers, and marketers from May through August and asked to return for remote work from September through December ### Construction Assistant @ McAllister and Koser Construction Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 | Marysville, Pennsylvania + learn construction techniques and processes through labor for new build and renovations including: surveying, framing, masonry, flooring, and finishings ### Architecture History Assistant @ Nittany Notes Jan 2015 – Jan 2016 | State College, Pennsylvania + attend Architecture History lectures to write and organize detailed notes + develop practice exams for Architecture History courses + maintain 3.5+ GPA to remain on staff ### Designer @ McKissick Associates Architects PC Jan 2014 – Jan 2015 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania + learn practical architectural design processes + select furnishings for interior design project + accompany architects to construction sites + trained in SketchUp 3D modeling ## Education ### Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design, Architecture, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Penn State University ### Certificate in Designing for Social Systems Stanford University ### High School Diploma West Perry High School ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/madisonurich - Website: https://www.wearegradient.com - Website: https://www.walkwithdignity.org/ --- Source: https://flows.cv/madisonurich JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/madisonurich/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-08