Ellen Shapiro

About Ellen Shapiro

Principal of design firm with expertise in naming and brand strategy, integrated branding programs, publication design, web interface design, and fundraising campaigns. Design, writing, and project management for financial service firms, nonprofits, and educational institutions as well as smaller entrepreneurial companies. Designer and owner, Alphagram Learning Materials, multisensory teaching tools that combine the alphabet with pictograms to help children learn to read, write and spell. Patentee for moveable flash cards with letter and pictorial indicia. Expert witness in trademark and copyright cases pertaining to typography, similarity of logo and other designs, color systems, legibility of text, etc. See the portfolio @ Design educator and writer. Author of three books and hundreds of online and print magazine articles on the design business, firms, and personalities. As photo-journalist, cover design culture and trends around the world, such as São Paulo graffiti, Olympic design program in Beijing, Mumbai taxi art, Icograda Design Congress in Havana, redesign of Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, Israeli and Palestinian peace posters. Produce monthly column for the printmag.com online design journal. Copywriter or editor for almost every client project my firm produces. Innovator in educational products that help children learn to read, which are used by more than schools, teachers, tutors and parents. See and purchase @ Expert witness in federal court cases involving typeface design, color systems, and trademark, copyright, and patent infringement Consultant to small design firms to increase growth, profitability and visibility. Specialties: Design, art direction of photography and illustration, and writing to brand and market businesses, products, services, concepts and institutions, with notable work for financial services and professional firms, travel companies, luxury brands, nonprofits including health care, faith-based, and arts organizations, colleges and universities, independent schools.

Experience

1. Frequent Contributor

   Communication Arts

   Jan 1990 — Present

   More than 50 articles about designers and design firms around the world, client-designer relationships, illustrators, photographers, and companies large and small that are making a difference with design.

Education

• UCLA

  Bachelor's degree, Design, Media Arts, African Studies

  1966 — 1970