Hello! I’m Dezi
I'm an art director and creative production specialist with 22+ years building the kind of work collectors don't just use, they treasure.
My background spans licensed entertainment, trading cards, comics, publishing,
and collectible media. I specialize in commissioning and directing illustration
programs at scale, pairing the right artists to the right projects, providing
clear iterative direction, and owning the full creative pipeline from blue-sky
concept through final production delivery.
Currently, I lead artist sourcing, commissioning, and art direction for trading
card programs at The Upper Deck Company, directing a global network of 50+
freelance illustrators across DC Comics, NHL, Warner Bros., and original IP
programs. I was promoted three times in eight months, from Art Acquisitions
Coordinator to Senior Visual Arts Specialist, by building the commissioning
infrastructure and visual standards the team needed to scale.
Before that, I spent nearly a decade inside DC Comics developing deep fluency
in licensed IP, visual storytelling, and collectible media, experience that
sits at the intersection of fandom culture, fantasy illustration, and the craft
of making things people want to hold onto.
I've also served as Production Editor at Heavy Metal Magazine, overseeing
end-to-end visual development and production for a monthly magazine, comic
books, and graphic novels across the science fiction and fantasy publishing space.
I'm a continuous learner with a sharp eye on emerging visual trends across
fantasy, gaming, and collectible media and a genuine curiosity about what
collectible card art can look like when you push what's expected.
If you're building something that collectors will treasure, I'd love to talk.
