Hi, I’m Cynthia Shaw. I’m a professional illustrator and graphic designer with a long history of bringing stories to life through visuals. I’ve collaborated with clients such as the Phoenix Zoo, Engrave It!, Signs of the Times, Health First Colorado, SE2 Changeforgood, and various private commissions. My work spans storybook illustration, product illustration, and branding, and I enjoy both freelance and studio-team environments. In addition to my illustration work, I design educational content and provide instruction in hybrid online/direct programs for Vista Ridge High School. I’m proficient with raster and vector workflows and tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate, and I love helping clients and students tell engaging stories through art.

Hi, I’m Cynthia Shaw. I’m a professional illustrator and graphic designer with a long history of bringing stories to life through visuals. I’ve collaborated with clients such as the Phoenix Zoo, Engrave It!, Signs of the Times, Health First Colorado, SE2 Changeforgood, and various private commissions. My work spans storybook illustration, product illustration, and branding, and I enjoy both freelance and studio-team environments. In addition to my illustration work, I design educational content and provide instruction in hybrid online/direct programs for Vista Ridge High School. I’m proficient with raster and vector workflows and tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate, and I love helping clients and students tell engaging stories through art.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Cynthia Shaw. I’m a professional illustrator and graphic designer with a long history of bringing stories to life through visuals. I’ve collaborated with clients such as the Phoenix Zoo, Engrave It!, Signs of the Times, Health First Colorado, SE2 Changeforgood, and various private commissions. My work spans storybook illustration, product illustration, and branding, and I enjoy both freelance and studio-team environments.

In addition to my illustration work, I design educational content and provide instruction in hybrid online/direct programs for Vista Ridge High School. I’m proficient with raster and vector workflows and tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate, and I love helping clients and students tell engaging stories through art.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Designer & Illustrator at Cyndi Shaw Illustration & Graphic Design
February 1, 2018 - June 9, 2024
Crafted beautiful, whimsical, and emotive visual narratives for children's books, game art, and traditional fine art paintings. Translated scripts and storylines into visually stunning and emotionally resonant designs. Proficient in traditional, raster, and vector illustration, both handcrafted and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Online Educator at School District 49
August 1, 2008 - May 31, 2017
Developed educational content and provided direct instruction for game design across three levels and gamification of several proprietary courses. Oversaw a hybrid program serving 900 students annually with teachers and support staff, enhancing the learning experience through innovative design methodologies.
Professional Illustrator & Graphic Designer at Cyndi Shaw Draws / Freelance Studio
January 1, 2018 - Present
Illustration and graphic design services for clients such as Phoenix Zoo, Engrave It!, Signs of the Times, Health First Colorado, SE2 Changeforgood, and private commissions; responsible for story illustration, product illustration, and branding; operates as both freelancer and design studio team member.
Online Educator at Vista Ridge High School (Hybrid Online/Direct Instruction Program)
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2018
Educational content design and instruction within a hybrid online/direct instruction program for Vista Ridge High School.
Fine Artist & Illustrator at Freelance / Self-Employed
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 2001
Professional fine artist and illustrator creating commissions; work in the tourism industry and private commissions from 1990-2001.

Education

AS, Graphic Design at Full Sail University
August 1, 2017 - May 27, 2020
Graphic Design and Game Art
Associate of Science at Full Sail University
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2020
at Full Sail University
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
at Collins College
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
at Phoenix College
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025

Qualifications

5-Day Drawing Challenge: Drawing Closer to Nature
January 11, 2030 - June 30, 2025
Copyright for Creatives: Protecting Your Work
January 11, 2030 - June 30, 2025
Drawing and Painting in Photoshop
January 11, 2030 - June 30, 2025
Graphic Design Foundations: Layout and Composition
January 11, 2030 - June 30, 2025
Graphic Design Foundations: Typography
January 11, 2030 - June 30, 2025

Industry Experience

Education, Computers & Electronics, Gaming, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, Consumer Goods, Professional Services, Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Other
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