I’m an art director and designer who enjoys solving problems through visual communication. I believe great design begins with curiosity—asking the right questions, listening carefully, and exploring ideas through sketching before bringing them to life. My goal is to create thoughtful work that helps brands and individuals communicate with clarity, personality, and purpose. I develop creative solutions across branding, digital, packaging, and illustration, partnering with companies of all sizes to create meaningful and memorable experiences. I specialize in the beverage industry, designing labels, packaging, and brand systems for beer, spirits, and beyond. My experience includes projects with New Belgium and collaborations with craft distilleries, where I create everything from packaging and point-of-sale materials to custom illustrations. Whether working with established brands or emerging makers, I’m passionate about crafting distinctive design that stands out on the shelf and tells a compelling story.

Shelby Montross

PRO

I’m an art director and designer who enjoys solving problems through visual communication. I believe great design begins with curiosity—asking the right questions, listening carefully, and exploring ideas through sketching before bringing them to life. My goal is to create thoughtful work that helps brands and individuals communicate with clarity, personality, and purpose. I develop creative solutions across branding, digital, packaging, and illustration, partnering with companies of all sizes to create meaningful and memorable experiences. I specialize in the beverage industry, designing labels, packaging, and brand systems for beer, spirits, and beyond. My experience includes projects with New Belgium and collaborations with craft distilleries, where I create everything from packaging and point-of-sale materials to custom illustrations. Whether working with established brands or emerging makers, I’m passionate about crafting distinctive design that stands out on the shelf and tells a compelling story.

Available to hire

I’m an art director and designer who enjoys solving problems through visual communication. I believe great design begins with curiosity—asking the right questions, listening carefully, and exploring ideas through sketching before bringing them to life. My goal is to create thoughtful work that helps brands and individuals communicate with clarity, personality, and purpose.

I develop creative solutions across branding, digital, packaging, and illustration, partnering with companies of all sizes to create meaningful and memorable experiences.

I specialize in the beverage industry, designing labels, packaging, and brand systems for beer, spirits, and beyond. My experience includes projects with New Belgium and collaborations with craft distilleries, where I create everything from packaging and point-of-sale materials to custom illustrations. Whether working with established brands or emerging makers, I’m passionate about crafting distinctive design that stands out on the shelf and tells a compelling story.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Owner / Designer / Letterpress Printer at Wild Hearted Co. / Meadowlark Creative
December 31, 2008 - Present
Design/marketing and letterpress services including conception, package and label design, illustration, logo design, corporate identity, poster design, web design, and various advertising media for a wide array of clients; responsibilities included working with clients from inquiry through delivery, estimating/invoicing jobs, design consultation/creative brief development, conception/revisions, and producing complete design projects; file preparation (letterpress, screenprint & offset).
Senior Designer at Actualize Marketing
January 1, 2023 - October 26, 2025
Art direction, logo design, web design, animations, developing corporate identity and brand standards, advertising, page layout, video concepts and storyboards, directing photo-shoots, and various advertising media for a wide array of clients and products.
Senior Designer at New Belgium Brewing
January 1, 2022 - October 26, 2025
Concept and design of new beer brands including naming, ideation, illustration and design; logo design, web design, animations, developing corporate identity and brand standards, advertising, page layout, video concepts and storyboards, directing photo-shoots, and design of internal/external marketing materials, merchandise design, and workflow management among designers.
Designer at Burns Marketing
January 1, 2011 - October 26, 2025
Logo design, web design, animations, developing corporate identity and brand standards, advertising, page layout, video concepts and storyboards, directing photo-shoots, and various advertising media for a wide array of clients and products.

Education

BFA: Graphic Design at Colorado State University
October 1, 2025 - October 2, 2025
BFA in Graphic Design at Colorado State University
January 11, 2030 - June 23, 2026

Qualifications

BFA in Graphic Design
January 11, 2030 - June 23, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Retail, Other
    Design + Marketing Services

    Wild Hearted Co.
    Design/marketing and letterpress services include but not limited to: conception, package design, logo design, corporate identity, poster design, web design, various advertising media for a wide array of clients, letterpress printing; working with clients from inquiry through delivery, estimating/invoicing jobs, design consultation/creative brief development, conception/revisions/producing complete design projects, file preparation (letterpress, screenprint & offset)