Collaboration is Key

David Robinson

David Robinson is the Creative Director and the founding partner of Birch Studio, The Healthy Living Directory and EastBirch.com. David applies principles gleaned from his architecture background to his current positions. His focus is on understanding and then shaping a user's experience, building customized projects with specific goals, and employing the most practical methods within each medium.

As much as David finds fulfillment in developing brands for clients, he enjoys mentoring the creative professionals at Birch Studio to pursue their highest potential. David has mentored and trained over a dozen team members since the founding of Birch Studio and encourages sharing of ideas at every level of the company.

Under his artistic direction, Birch Studio has received awards and accolades from the Central Virginia American Marketing Association in both print and web design.

In 1996, David co-founded The Healthy Living Directory to fulfill the need for information in the local natural health community. In 2006, he launched a multi-city, web-based extension of the directory called EastBirch.com. In another entrepreneurial sprint, David founded a non-profit trade group, The Communication Arts Guild, to build relationships between commercial artists and increase the value that these artists bring to the business community. He was Director for two years. David served as Treasurer and Web Chair for his homeowner's association and initiated a grounds management policy that considers local ecology in its actions. He was the founding President of the Environmental Education Center, a Charlottesville-based environmental education organization and is a founding board member of a startup company in the electric vehicle industry.

Spending his first two decades growing up just outside Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC, he now happily spends all of his spare time outdoors with his wife, son and two cats in the fresh air and mountains of Charlottesville, VA.

David is a Board Member of Virginia Clean Cities, Advisor for RideForward, President of Court Square Condominium Association and Treasurer of Mill Creek South Homeowner's Association.

Super Power: uncanny senses of smell and hearing

Jenny Robinson

Jenny has served as Business Manager since the inception of Birch Studio. Her warm demeanor makes all newcomers feel at home from the first phone call. Her ability to quickly connect with people makes working together a pleasant experience. Drawing on her interest in interior design and literature, she has the eye of a creative individual and of the point of view of neutral bystander, which makes her a welcome balance to the innovation-hungry creative team.

In other capacities, Jenny is the Publisher of The Healthy Living Directory, Birch Studio's publishing arm, which she co-created in 1996. She is the front line of client engagement for the Directory – starting relationships and opening doors. With Jenny's talent for connecting with people, the Directory has been a sustainable business since the very first edition - a remarkable feat for a business started with a single direct mail campaign.

Jenny has served as Vice Chair of the Albemarle County Democratic Party, District Chair of Scottsville as well as Precinct Chair for Cale. She coordinated district-wide canvassing efforts along with organizing the annual fundraising event that drew hundreds of people. She served as Vice President of External Affairs for the Charlottesville Chapter of the National Organization for Women and on the Board of the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA).

Jenny spent her formative years in Colonial Williamsburg and moved to Charlottesville in 1993. She enjoys building long-term relationships and stretching her capabilities.

Favorite Things: 60 degree weather and Coke-flavored gummy bears

Whitney French

Whitney has been at the drawing board since she could hold a pencil. Her tools have changed since then but her creative passion has not. With dual credentials in marketing and graphic design, Whitney joined Birch Studio as an intern where she found many ways to contribute her significant talents.

Her proactive thinking makes Whitney immediately valuable to clients. Whitney's instinct for consistency has made her a contributor to many improvements in Birch Studio's day-to-day processes.

Whitney graduated Summa Cum Laude from Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business with a B. S. in Marketing Management. She has a Graphic Design Certificate from PVCC where she served as President of the Piedmont Association for Design and developed branding and artwork for companies such as Carpet Plus, Chroma Gallery, Four Seasons Learning Center and Panera Bread.

Likes: canoeing, bike rides, impromptu potlucks, gardening, festivals, knitting, travel, screenprinting, and of course woodland creatures.

Favorite Tools: a screen-printing squeegee, sewing machine, spatula, needle-nose pliers and duct tape.

Kimberly Sullivan

Kim's creative drive stems from her childhood where any and all art supplies were at the top of Santa's list and personal darkrooms were built during ambitious high school weekends. Passion turned into drive and a career path was set during grueling art school all-nighters.

A recent transplant to Charlottesville, Kim travelled across the country from Wisconsin where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She worked at several prominent advertising agencies and contributed her ideas to award winning brand identities. Joining Birch Studio in the fall, she brings both her passion for the creative realm and knowledge of conceptual design to the office.

In addition to designing Kim can be found  building yet another darkroom, baking, screen-printing, painting, and traveling in her imaginary spare time.

Likes: the color turquoise, film cameras, painting, traveling, Haribo gummi bears, and baking cookies.

Favorite Tools:  scanner, Kitchen-Aid mixer, Beseler enlarger, Pigma Micron pens