My journey as a designer began in a middle school computer lab.
The assignment was simple: design a trifold restaurant menu in Microsoft Word. I somehow ended up with a full-bleed brochure with layered text and images — using Word as bootleg Adobe Creative Cloud before I knew what any of those programs were.
Today, I'm a concept-driven designer who translates strategic insight into purposeful creative systems. Known for evolving briefs, turning complex problems into clear solutions, and facilitating cross-functional collaboration between teams to deliver elevated work that builds client trust across industries.
Looking back, that scrappy middle schooler was already doing what I do now — getting creative within constraints and pushing work beyond the brief.
**
Click the picture to see an embarrassing photo of me in middle school
My journey as a designer began in a middle school computer lab.
The assignment was simple: design a trifold restaurant menu in Microsoft Word. I somehow ended up with a full-bleed brochure with layered text and images — using Word as bootleg Adobe Creative Cloud before I knew what any of those programs were.
Today, I'm a concept-driven designer who translates strategic insight into purposeful creative systems. Known for evolving briefs, turning complex problems into clear solutions, and facilitating cross-functional collaboration between teams to deliver elevated work that builds client trust across industries.
Looking back, that scrappy middle schooler was already doing what I do now — getting creative within constraints and pushing work beyond the brief.
**
Click the picture to see an embarrassing photo of me in middle school
Here are 6 philosophies you can always expect from me.
Brands are treated like people
I take time to understand a brand’s history, quirks, and character, so the work feels like a natural extension of them.
Design is in conversation with strategy
Design doesn’t just follow the brief—it evolves it and with it.
Built for what comes next
Designs built to work, scale, move, and adapt from the start.
Design starts with listening
Listening closely—to collaborators, clients, and culture—allows me to ask better questions, spot meaningful signals, and create work that resonates.
Style with substance
Design should be deliberate, not decorative.
Collaboration made easy
For the client and the team. That means clear communication, consistency, and going the extra mile whenever I can.
Experience
Design Lead
Clean Advertising & Design / Sept 2022 — Jan 2026
Led art direction and execution across 4+ concurrent integrated campaigns for clients in tourism, public health, tech, insurance, and consumer goods.
Built trusted relationships with clients across 3+ long-term retainer accounts for multi-million-dollar brands including a $267M tourism destination (+13% YoY).
Presented conceptual and final work to clients and stakeholders, articulating creative decisions that aligned teams and moved work forward.
Directed and collaborated with small cross-functional teams while managing shifting timelines and priorities.
Led art direction and execution across 4+ concurrent integrated campaigns for clients in tourism, public health, tech, insurance, and consumer goods.
Built trusted relationships with clients across 3+ long-term retainer accounts for multi-million-dollar brands including a $267M tourism destination (+13% YoY).
Presented conceptual and final work to clients and stakeholders, articulating creative decisions that aligned teams and moved work forward.
Directed and collaborated with small cross-functional teams while managing shifting timelines and priorities.
Led art direction and execution across 4+ concurrent integrated campaigns for clients in tourism, public health, tech, insurance, and consumer goods.
Built trusted relationships with clients across 3+ long-term retainer accounts for multi-million-dollar brands including a $267M tourism destination (+13% YoY).
Presented conceptual and final work to clients and stakeholders, articulating creative decisions that aligned teams and moved work forward.
Directed and collaborated with small cross-functional teams while managing shifting timelines and priorities.
Freelance Graphic Designer
Jan 2020 — Ongoing
Worked independently with direct clients and as a contract designer for agencies, developing brand identity systems and visual languages for 27+ businesses across digital and physical touchpoints.
Provided brand and design consulting — advising on visual strategy, creative direction, and brand evolution while managing projects from discovery through delivery.
Worked independently with direct clients and as a contract designer for agencies, developing brand identity systems and visual languages for 27+ businesses across digital and physical touchpoints.
Provided brand and design consulting — advising on visual strategy, creative direction, and brand evolution while managing projects from discovery through delivery.
Worked independently with direct clients and as a contract designer for agencies, developing brand identity systems and visual languages for 27+ businesses across digital and physical touchpoints.
Provided brand and design consulting — advising on visual strategy, creative direction, and brand evolution while managing projects from discovery through delivery.
Fulbright Research Fellow
Fulbright NL / Sept 2021 — June 2022
Awarded Fulbright to study situated design methodology in the Netherlands. Collaborated with designers and artists across disciplines in a program focused on context-driven, socially-engaged design.
Developed a deeper understanding of how brands exist within culture — shaping and being shaped by social forces beyond commerce.
Awarded Fulbright to study situated design methodology in the Netherlands. Collaborated with designers and artists across disciplines in a program focused on context-driven, socially-engaged design.
Developed a deeper understanding of how brands exist within culture — shaping and being shaped by social forces beyond commerce.
Awarded Fulbright to study situated design methodology in the Netherlands. Collaborated with designers and artists across disciplines in a program focused on context-driven, socially-engaged design.
Developed a deeper understanding of how brands exist within culture — shaping and being shaped by social forces beyond commerce.
Creative Intern
Harassment Free NC / Sept 2020 — May 2021
Worked as in-house creative for a social advocacy nonprofit, designing content for digital campaigns and managing social media presence.
Tracked asset performance and monitored trends to inform creative decisions and improve engagement.
Worked as in-house creative for a social advocacy nonprofit, designing content for digital campaigns and managing social media presence.
Tracked asset performance and monitored trends to inform creative decisions and improve engagement.
Worked as in-house creative for a social advocacy nonprofit, designing content for digital campaigns and managing social media presence.
Tracked asset performance and monitored trends to inform creative decisions and improve engagement.
Design Intern
Clean Advertising & Design / Jan 2020 — Sept 2020
Designed original illustrations for print materials and social media campaigns. Created and animated web ads. Presented creative and marketing materials for internal review.
Prepared files for production and print. Provided support for and collaborated with senior designers on client projects.
Designed original illustrations for print materials and social media campaigns. Created and animated web ads. Presented creative and marketing materials for internal review.
Prepared files for production and print. Provided support for and collaborated with senior designers on client projects.
Designed original illustrations for print materials and social media campaigns. Created and animated web ads. Presented creative and marketing materials for internal review.
Prepared files for production and print. Provided support for and collaborated with senior designers on client projects.
Graphic Designer (Part-Time)
Sumner Group Advertising & Marketing / June 2017 — Jan 2020
Advanced from intern to designer in four months, contributing to 50+ client-facing projects across print, outdoor advertising, and campaign materials while building foundational design and project management skills.
Advanced from intern to designer in four months, contributing to 50+ client-facing projects across print, outdoor advertising, and campaign materials while building foundational design and project management skills.
Advanced from intern to designer in four months, contributing to 50+ client-facing projects across print, outdoor advertising, and campaign materials while building foundational design and project management skills.
Interested in connecting?
Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything design!
Interested in connecting?
Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything design!
Interested in connecting?
Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything design!
Copyright 2025 by Bailey Birtchet
Copyright 2025 by Bailey Birtchet
Copyright 2025 by Bailey Birtchet