Creative leadership
with intention.
Guiding strategy, storytelling, and visual direction for organizations navigating complexity and change.
Hi, I’m Shelby Wartick
I lead creative work with intention, clarity, and care. My background spans brand strategy, art direction, and storytelling across organizations that manage complexity, growth, and competing priorities. I partner closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to shape direction, align vision, and translate big ideas into creative systems people can trust and understand.
My approach balances strategy with craft and structure with empathy. I’m most at home guiding creative decisions, setting standards, and supporting teams as they do their best work. Whether the goal is to build a brand, launch an initiative, or bring clarity to a moment of change, I focus on thoughtful design and storytelling that serve both people and purpose.
Case Studies & Selected Work
Explore select projects that reflect my approach to art direction, collaboration, and thoughtful visual storytelling across channels.
My Creative Leadership Practice
Brand Strategy & Narrative
Visual System Development
Art Direction & Photo Oversight
Integrated Campaign Leadership
Cross-functional Team Collaboration
What people are saying
“Shelby's creative direction and design skills exponentially impact ROI on every campaign I have ever worked with her on. She effectively communicates organizations' visions and goals through design and multiplatform campaigns to transcend transactional giving and engage donors in mission.”
—Angie Herting, Development Director
“Shelby took my daunting marketing to-do list and made it easy, (dare I say) fun, and most importantly, effective!”
— Chrystina M, CEO/Founder of Gaia Waxing Beauty & Wellness and Gaia Bare Care
“Shelby is creative and an absolute joy to work with. She provides visually-appealing designs and hits the mark on our project goals every time. I appreciate getting to work with her for more than 20 years now!”
— Amy K, Owner of Kort Communications
“Shelby is extremely creative but also in touch with all the technical aspects of producing creative marketing products in print for both advertising and collateral, and for marketing on the internet.”
— Barbara T, Textile Industry