Bio of our leader Shirley Justice-Kelly Art Director and Principal of dezineink

My educational background varied from fine arts early on - drawing and painting - to the later pursuit of a degree in formal graphic and interactive design. Upon graduation, like most designers, I immediately entered the work force doing production work. However, even such humble beginnings as creating stamps for cardboard boxes, enlightened me that every job could teach you something. Thereafter, I began to seek out jobs only because of what they offered to my real-world, hands-on education. Even then, I knew I wanted to be able to eventually offer clients a full spectrum of skills and experience.

I developed my print and interactive design skills working my way up progressively from designing for printers and photographers, to a variety of newspaper companies - including the Herald News, and ad agencies, from magazines to back end coding.

The most important skill I took away from all of this employment experience was how to read client needs and how to promote their products to increase their revenue. When I began my final job at Michael Walters Advertising, I realized that I had learned enough to begin my own business, and I never looked back.

With the experience I gained, I have been able to produce entire newspapers and magazines, small to mid-size e-commerce sites, billboards, corporate identities, eBlast campaigns, and huge websites such as eworldpoint.com. I have learned to put my heart and soul into my work whether it is in print or pixels to clearly project my clients' image to potential consumers. I learned to be me for you.