Shannon Conway

About Shannon Conway

Hi, I’m Shannon — an illustrator, designer, self-taught animator, and screen printer based in Chicago, IL.I earned my BFA in Visual Communication Design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2015, and I’m largely self-taught in illustration and fine art. My work lives at the intersection of design, storytelling, and music-driven visuals, with a strong focus on creating artwork that feels personal, intentional, and true to the people behind it.Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of clients—from restaurants, clothing lines, and punk bands to elementary schools and larger organizations. As a musician myself, I’m especially drawn to collaborating with bands and music-based projects, helping translate sound, emotion, and identity into visuals that feel authentic and unmistakably theirs.I’m passionate about supporting creative ideas at every scale, whether that means designing merch for a garage band next door or developing visuals for a Fortune 500 company. Good design isn’t about size or budget—it’s about clarity, craft, and connection.Previously, I owned and operated Wicked City Apparel, a small-scale screen-printing shop in the south suburbs of Chicago. We specialized in screen-printed apparel and direct-to-garment printing, with a focus on affordable small runs for local businesses, artists, and bands who needed flexibility without sacrificing quality.Areas I specialize in include:• Album covers and full album artwork (covers, back covers, inner layouts, disc art, and more)• Logo design, branding, and visual identity systems• Apparel and merchandise design• Posters and event promotions• Social media graphics and digital ads• 3D renderings and visualizations• Animated promos, lyric videos, and kinetic typography• Photography and photo retouchingIf you’re interested in purchasing prints or apparel from my clothing brand, you can find them at etsy.com/shop/shanconart.For custom design or illustration work, feel free to reach out via direct message, visit or email me at s••••••@shanconart.com. Let’s see what we can create together.

Experience

1. Creative Director

   Northern Media Inc

   Apr 2025 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   I’m the Creative Director at Northern Media Inc, where I shape creative direction and visual strategy for brands across digital, retail, and physical spaces. My work focuses on building cohesive brand systems and key visuals that translate seamlessly from screen to shelf—connecting storytelling, design, and execution at every touchpoint.I lead creative strategy while staying deeply hands-on, developing everything from brand identities and website design to retail environments, POP displays, motion graphics, and 3D modeling. Whether it’s a campaign launch, a product display, or a digital experience, my role is to ensure the creative vision is clear, intentional, and impactful.Core focus areas:Creative direction & visual storytellingBrand strategy, identity systems, and key visual developmentRetail design, point-of-purchase (POP) displays, and environmental graphicsWebsite design and digital experiencesMotion graphics, animated content, and short-form video3D modeling and visualization for products, displays, and conceptsSocial media creative and campaign executionI translate business goals into strong visual narratives—balancing aesthetics with function, and creativity with strategy. My approach is rooted in consistency, clarity, and originality, helping brands stand out in crowded digital feeds and real-world retail environments alike.

Education

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago

  Bachelor’s Degree, Design and Visual Communications

  2012 — 2015

Skills

• Piano Playing
• Inventory Management
• Web Design
• Visual Communication
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Research
• Handmade Jewelry
• Singing
• Plate Making
• Branding
• Digital Photography
• Package Design
• Leadership
• Guitar Playing
• Laser Cutting
• Data Collection
• Drawing
• Letterpress
• Inventory Optimization
• Art
• Design for Manufacturing
• Microsoft Office
• Drums
• Motion Graphics
• Photoshop
• As400
• Digital Signage
• Woodworking
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Dps
• Graphic Design
• Illustrator
• Branding & Identity
• Typesetting
• Kinetic Typography
• Indesign
• Html
• Illustration
• Hand Knitting
• Css