Chelsea Kelso
 
 
 
 
 
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 Visual COMMUNICATION designer

15 years of working experience

Nice to meet you!

I'm a Brand & Visual Communications Designer with 15 years of in-house experience helping organizations build strong brands and communicate with clarity. Through my career, I've partnered with teams across healthcare, retail, higher education, and non-profit sectors, creating thoughtful design solutions that connect with audiences, support organizational goals, and champion a company brand.

My experience spans every medium—from annual reports, publications, and environmental graphics to integrated marketing campaigns, digital advertising, packaging, signage, and brand identity systems. Working in-house has given me a strong appreciation for the role design plays beyond aesthetics. It's about building brand trust, maintaining consistency, solving problems, advocating for accessibility and creating meaningful experiences that strengthen a brand over time.

I believe great design starts with with curiosity; does it communicate clearly? Is it intuitive? Does it support the goals of the organization while serving the needs of its audience? Whether selecting premium print finishes to elevate a tactile experience or simplifying complex information into accessible digital communications, every design decision has a purpose.

I enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams and translating strategy into visual communication by creating work that is both purposeful and lasting. For me, successful design isn't just something that looks beautiful—it's something that works.

 

  • Yes, 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 within this ever-changing industry. I’m always eager to update and evolve my skills.

    I recently completed 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.

    I am also working within After Effects to bolster my skills in motion graphics.

  • 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 / Screen-Free Sundays / travel / home decorating

    NO THANKS:
    movie remakes / smoothie bowls / 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

Though my career is heavily digital, I love the basics: pen to paper. Drawing is a great outlet, whether 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

  • 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

  • Leadership and art direction