About
When Dog Ear Creative launched in October of 2012, our goal was to create a publication redesign company that pushed beyond the idea that digital and print publications simply needed to dress up their stories in prettier packages. Dog Ear takes a stem-to-stern approach to design and content projects, beginning with discovery of an institution and a publication’s brand, building an editorial and content strategy that supports it, and then, yes, putting all that work into a prettier design package. Since day one, Dog Ear has continually offered new services, including story scouting, workshop and brainstorming sessions, and content audits. We see ourselves as true partners who help shape high-level communication strategies, then roll up our sleeves and work in the trenches with our clients to execute that strategy. We strive to understand our clients processes and needs, then tailor our services to suit organizational goals — all while helping our clients understand their audiences’ needs and create engaging storytelling along the way.
Our Team
The three founding partners of Dog Ear Creative met as editors at Penn State’s award-winning alumni magazine, The Penn Stater, in the mid-2000s. We’ve amassed a combined 30-plus years guiding the content and design of a variety of print and online magazines.
Maureen Harmon
Editorial Content Director
Maureen is a cofounder and managing partner at Dog Ear. Prior to this role, she worked as the Director of Creative & Editorial Content at Denison University, and the editor of Denison Magazine, the flagship print publication of the college. At Denison, she created and audited content for offices across campus, thinking through the best ways to tell Denison's story in print and online. Maureen began her career in 2001 first as an associate, then senior editor at The Penn Stater magazine in State College, Pa. Both Denison Magazine and The Penn Stater have garnered many national awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, as well as many professional organizations in the writing and design worlds.
Patrick Kirchner
Design Director
By day, Patrick is content director for Stoner Bunting Advertising in Lancaster, Pa., where he develops and executes branding, design, video and identity content for B2B architecture and design clients. Formerly, he was the visual editor at LNP Media Group, where he directed the design and photography of Lancaster’s daily newspaper, LNP, and its digital counterpart, LancasterOnline. He also serves as design lead at Dog Ear Creative, where he has led redesigns for a variety of higher ed magazines. Prior to turning his focus to design work, Patrick held a number of writing and editing positions, including associate editor for The Penn Stater’s Sibley-winning editorial team. He resides in southeastern Pennsylvania, where he also works as a freelance graphic designer and writer.
Dan Morrell
Editorial Content Director
Dan started his magazine career at The Penn Stater in 2004 and has since spent time at Boston College, Suffolk University, and Boston magazine. He is currently the senior associate director of alumni communications and content manager at Harvard Business School in Boston and hosts HBS’s popular podcast, Skydeck. Throughout his career, his work has appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Slate, Fast Company, and Monocle, as well as many alumni magazines. He also has earned several awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, including the 2018 Sibley Award. He was also part of The Penn Stater’s Sibley Award-winning editorial team.
