Chelsea Kelso
 
 
 
 
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 Visual COMMUNICATION designer

10+ years of working experience

Nice to meet you!

I am a designer with 10+ years of experience working as an in-house graphic designer in a variety of different industries, including commercial real estate, health and medical, retail and higher education. I’ve created all kinds of print and digital materials from brochures and reports to in-store shop signage, packaging, large-scale out-of-home advertising campaigns, digital display ads and so much more. You name the material, I’ve likely dabbled in it. By having worked in such a wide array of industries, I’ve gained a wide breadth of skills. I’m exceptionally skilled at working within a corporate organization, specifically with in-house clients on projects where brand integrity is key.

I’ve always been drawn to functional design; form meets function. Sure, it needs to look nice, but does it serve a purpose? How does the user experience it and what is the message behind the design? Whether it’s the use of finishings (paper stocks, foils, die-cuts) to achieve a level of quality, or simplified digital information design to get a point across, the end result is the same: to convey a message and ensure a meaningful experience for the user.

 

  • Yes! Depending on the overall scale and scope of your project, I would love to help! If you have an idea of what you need, I’m available to help in design concepting, strategy and/or execution.

    Contact me if you’d like to work together!

  • I’ve been a working designer for over a decade, but there is still so much to learn. I’m always eager to update and evolve my skills.

    I am currently working towards a certification in UX Design (with a focus on Interactive Design) through the Nielsen Norman Group. By learning new skills in this area, I’ve discovered a new passion for design within the digital realm. My strong sense of design is elevated in combination with a critical, analytical eye. As mentioned above, I believe that design that serves a purpose/has a function is the most effective form of communication.

    On a personal habit-drivel level, I’ve taken to Procreate to advance my illustration skills.

  • On the weekends you can find me hiking in the forest with my dog Parker, or curled up under an inappropriate number of blankets reading a good book.

    YES PLEASE:
    coffee / doggos / puzzles on a rainy day / Wordle / waffles / board games / hiking

    NO THANKS:
    movie remakes / smoothie bowls / Valentine’s Day / people hiking with boomboxes / peas

 

GOLD // 2021

2021 CASE Circle of Excellence

CapU Alumni Awards:
Late Night Talk Show

SILVER // 2020

2020 Best of CASE VIII Awards

2020–2021 Capilano
University Viewbook

Bronze // 2020

2020 Best of CASE VIII Awards

CapU’s 50th Anniversary
Convocation Programme

Award of excellence

University & College Designers Association (UCDA)

2022–2023 CapU Viewbook

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Design work

While some designers feel trapped when working within a brand, I thrive. I love pushing my creative limits while finding new and innovative ways to work within a set of brand guidelines.

Food Photography

What can I say, I’m a millennial with a passion for the sweet and savoury. I co-ran a food blog (portandfin.com) a few years ago; it was a great creative outlet where I could experiment in the kitchen and behind the camera.

Illustration

Having worked digitally for so many years, I’ve recently been inspired to get back to my sketching roots. Drawing is a great outlet, wether it be with a pencil or a stylus in Procreate. Stay tuned for more illustrations as I continue to practice.

 

My mission

CREATE COMPELLING, IMPACTFUL AND FUNCTIONAL DESIGN THAT TELLS A STORY WITHIN A BRAND.

And have a bit of fun, while I’m at it.

 
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Design Skills

I specialize in print and digital design, but am constantly evolving my skills. Some areas I work within include:

  • Brand identity, brand strategy

  • Annual publications and reports, catalogues

  • Illustration and creative storytelling

  • Typesetting (detailed charts and reports)

  • Brand campaigns including concepting, and production of digital ads, social media ads, Out-of-Home and print advertising

  • Packaging design

  • Digital / social / online ads

  • UX design and visual web design