Shelley is a graphic designer turned strategic communicator


Originally from Germany, Shelley is a graphic designer turned strategic communication director. She applies the foundational principles of design to written and verbal communication to create intentional marketing and communication materials from scratch. 

Her favorite thing about design is the process of simplifying, organizing, visually packaging, and then placing information to make it meaningful for the intended audience. Design connects people to resources, information, and each other, and this ‘power’ is what drew Shelley to illustration and design from a young age. 

Shelley grew up in a bilingual household and flipped-flopped between countries throughout her childhood. Her dominant language had always been German, so when she moved to the States for high school, drawing pictures was her preferred way to interact with her new peers who often lovingly teased her about her deficiencies in English. 

Present Day:

Shelley is the Director of Strategic Communication and Assessment at the University of West Florida. She combines assessment, graphic design, copywriting, and institutional knowledge to steer the overarching communication strategy for the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs, which houses approximately 50 different program areas. 

She also teaches in the Department of Art and Design. The talented, hungry, resourceful, and creative students she works with are the reason she chose to make her career in higher education. 

Scope of work:

  • Assessment and annual planning

  • Consultation/copywriting on special projects 

  • Data visualization

  • Emergency communication coordination

  • Graphic design 

  • Illustration 

  • Strategic communication planning and deployment

  • Web content and web strategy 

  • Website design 

  • Workshops, mentoring, teaching


Education

M.A. in Illustration Design
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

Study Abroad
Fachhochschule Bielefeld, Germany

B.A. in Graphic Design
University of West Florida.


WORKSHOPS taught

Pensacola Designers Portfolio
Review Event

(Reviewer) 2017

Digital Illustration Workshop
Pensacola Museum of Art Summer 2016
Sold out

File Management Workshop
AIGA University of West Florida 2015

Illustration Workshop 
University of West Florida 2014


College Courses Taught

  • Senior Portfolio

  • Graphic Design Studio 1

  • Digital Illustration 1

  • Digital Illustration 2

  • Digital Illustration 3

  • Typography

  • UX/Interactive Application Design

  • Computer Graphics 1

  • Computer Graphics 2

  • Creative Web Design

Awards, Press and EXHIBITIONS


Association of College Unions - International, Steal this Idea National Award Multiple Award Winner (2020, 2022, 2023)

National Association for Campus Activities South, Best Themed Campaign; Art Direction (2019)

The Art Gallery, Faculty show Pensacola Florida (2019)

Association of College Unions - International, Steal this Idea National Award Award Winner (2019)

American Advertising Federation Local ADDY Award Winner (2019)

The Art Gallery, Faculty show Pensacola Florida (2018)

American Advertising Federation Local ADDY Award Winner (2018)

American Advertising Federation Local ADDY Award Winner (2017)

Pensacola News Journal article, “UWF design instructor to share digital knowledge with public” (2016)

Pensacola Museum of Art Juried Art Show Curator's Choice Award (2016)

Pensacola Museum of Art Juried Art Show (2015)

The Art Gallery, Faculty show Pensacola Florida (2015)

Anna Lamar Switzer Gallery, PSC Faculty show (2014)

The University of West Florida Voyager, article about Shelley’s work in the current UWF Faculty art show at The Art Gallery.

Contact

If you're interested in working
with me, the best way to reach
me is via email

Mail

shelleyhenseler@gmail.com


AFFILIATIONS

  • AIGA

  • Pensacola Designers, Board Member

  • American Advertising Federation, Pensacola


SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Design XL Design Conference, November 2019
Illustration for Graphic Designers - sold out

Photo credits: Nick Bridges and Liz Painter