Frankenstern.

Meet the founders

We help the biggest names in financial services discover the creative potential and flexibility within their brand. Proudly boutique and nimble, we give our best every time, knowing that our success is measured by yours.

 

Meet the founders.

Think about your smartest friend. The one who brings out the best in you. What would it be like to join forces with that person? Imagine how the work would bloom and how clients would profit from the experience. We don’t need to imagine because this is our story.

We’re Frank Gitro and Candice Stern (the name is making more sense now, right?) and our team is great at helping organizations tell their brand stories with strategic thinking and impeccable graphic design. Nearly 20 years ago, we met and quickly found that—together—our creative and problem-solving abilities were far more than doubled. And our clients noticed.

Frank Gitro

Frank is known for his spirited enthusiasm and his ability to visually articulate solutions to complex problems.

He has spent 25+ years working for both in-house corporate design teams and boutique agencies in New York, London and Paris, where he enjoys hunting for answers to design problems in unexpected places. He draws on this experience with every project but it's particularly useful when forging design solutions that need to be effective internationally. 

He studied photography at Rochester Institute of Technology, graphic design at Massachusetts College of Art, and is a lifelong student of illustration. He is an oft-invited guest speaker on the subject of design.

Believes:
Good design makes your life easier. Bad design gets in your way. 

Is proud of:
His instincts for determining what clients really need and for finding sincere ways to connect with them both personally and professionally. 

Is known for:
Being an incessant doodler.

Wants you to know:
Candice is his favorite graphic designer.

Career turning point:
When he was awarded the first of seven consecutive annual reports for Citi, his biggest project by far with four million copies distributed worldwide.

Candice Stern

Candice approaches her graphic design projects like elaborate puzzles: by jumping in, sleuthing her way through problems and coming up with the most appropriate and elegant solutions. 

Her 20 years of experience designing for the biggest names in financial services include small design studios, big agencies, Fortune 500 corporations and her own successful graphic design firm.

She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from The College of New Jersey and has been the recipient of dozens of awards throughout her career. Candice is proud to spend her days collaborating with Frank Gitro, her longtime design doppelgänger.

Believes:
Design thrives on restrictions.

Design mantra:
Simplify, simplify, simplify.

Is known for:
Using her visual problem-solving expertise to help clients resolve real-world business challenges.

Career turning point:
Growing her own successful graphic design firm, built almost entirely on referrals from happy clients.

Wants to share:
She loves pugs.

Frankenstern knows financial. UBS. Nasdaq. Citi. Fidelity Investments. JP Morgan. Transamerica. Legg Mason. Macquarie. Threadneedle. Dynasty Financial Partners. Westcott Associates. Institute of Financial Management. C Hoare & Co. Amundi Asset Management. Bridges Ventures. InspereX. Ned Davis Research Group.

Interested in working with us? Say hi.