// Creative Composer + Visual Curator \\

Keshia Merritt

\\Every story has more than one perspective. The best begins when they come together./ /

qualities of a Creative Consultant

Well…

...maybe that’s why I’ve never been interested in fitting neatly into one title.

Some people know me as a Creative Director. Others as a designer, photographer, or consultant. While those roles describe what I do, they don’t explain why I do it.

I’ve always believed the best creative work begins with understanding someone else’s perspective before offering my own. Listening comes first. Experience follows. Somewhere between the two, ideas begin to take shape.

That’s where I do my best work.

My STORY…

…is really a collection of perspectives.

Every client, every collaboration, and every challenge has changed the way I see the world. Museums taught me to honor history. Nonprofits taught me the power of purpose. Startups embraced possibility. Established organizations revealed the value of consistency.

Each experience became another lens through which to understand people and the stories they want to tell.

Over time, I realized creativity isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about asking better questions.

Between the TWO of US…

…is where design begins.

Every project starts with your perspective—your goals, your story, and the people you hope to reach.

Then I bring mine.

Not just years of experience, but intuition shaped by paying attention. The ability to recognize patterns, ask thoughtful questions, and uncover possibilities that aren’t always obvious at first glance.

Neither perspective is complete on its own—the strongest work comes from the conversation between them.

That’s where ideas become experiences.

+ Gallery

DESIGN COVERS ALL

Every story deserves the right medium.

Brand ID & Creative Direction

Helping organizations find clarity and consistency.

+ Brand Identity & Creative Direction

Event Experiences

Designing environments that people remember.

+ Event Experiences

Interior Decorating

Creating spaces that reflect the people who inhabit them.

+ Interior Decorating

Photography

Capturing the details that tell the story.

+ Photography

Works

United Way Mid-South

Tasked with giving United Way of the Mid-South a visual identity, garnered a rebirth in the region, which gave pride to the employees when congregating with the communities served through new initiatives and time-tested legacy programs.

+ MORE

House of Cheatham

Under the umbrella of the House of Cheatham are several notable brands —Hollywood Beauty, Aunt Jackie, and Kuza — I had the pleasure of creating advertisements and tradeshow graphics.

+ MORE

Literacy Midsouth

This campaign kicks off Literacy Mid-South’s 50th anniversary, improving the quality of life through education to achieve the critical literacy skills they need to navigate the world.

+ MORE

National Civil Rights Museum

This pictorial is an entry into the National Civil Rights Museum, where visitors are guided by curiosity, empathy, and a stunning representation of the past.

+ MORE

RÉSUMÉ

as an EMPLOYEE,

2017 – Present United Way of the Mid-South / Associate Director, Creative Services

Influenced worldwide rebranding, initiated and led local rebranding; including website, print collateral, and program identification, boosting brand recognition, community engagement, and donor interest.
UI/UX designer for county-wide human services kiosk for Driving The Dream™ initiative.
Conceptualized and engineered the development of a poverty simulator; including installation and game cards ensuring an impactful and cohesive representation of who the organization serves in the community.
Ensure consistent brand presence by adhering to messaging and standards guides.
Manage and nurture the creative team, fostering engagement and passion for their work.
Orchestrate production schedules, marketing timelines, negotiations, and delivery expectations.
Digital ad performance goals for targeted campaigns of 7 months exceeded by +13k impressions.
Enhanced social media presence, increasing followers by 42% and engagement by 45% over 7 months.

2016 Arkansas State University / Midsouth Community College / Adjunct Instructor

Developed curriculum and instructions for using Adobe Creative Suites within the Digital Media concentration, enabling students to efficiently learn industry-standard tools while presenting a comprehensive introduction to design principles.
Advised the program’s advisory board, contributing insight and guidance.

2012 – 2017 The Carter Malone Group / Creative Director

Managed a team of designers to deliver top-tier results for multiple client campaigns for print and web collateral.
Coordinated and co-directed :30 and :60 commercials, including video production, photo shoots, casting, and location scouting.
Developed brands for political campaigns, including logo, website, and solicitation material, increasing visibility and interest from key constituents.

2002 – 2011 Sharp Electronics Corporation / Sr. Graphic Designer

Contributed to UX design of user interfaces for control panels and digital displays, resulting in more intuitive operations.
Drafted production standards for engineering drawings and approvals, increasing standardization and quality of work.
Designed marketing collateral, packaging, product literature, and other public media projects to increase customer awareness and drive sales

as a FREELANCER,

2022 – 2025 Literacy Midsouth Creative Director/Graphic Design

Event Branding and Graphic Design Services.

2016 – 2023 AMPRO Industries Products Creative Director/Graphic Design

Collaborated on rebranding efforts of legacy products and packaging design.
Developed the influencer brand, MagicFingers™, leading to a profit increase of 320%.
Designed event and trade show branding for CosmoProf US, Canada, and Europe.
Created digital, print, social, and merchandising campaigns, securing Shine ‘n Jam’s position as the number one SKU in the OTC channel year over year.
Designed print/magazine collateral and social media marketing materials.

2014 – 2018 National Civil Rights Museum Graphic Designer

Layout and design of top-selling book, “This is the Story of A People” Pictorial Book
Special event branding; Annual Freedom Awards Ceremony
Promotional brochures highlighting the renovations of the museum

2009 – 2018 A Natural Affair Beauty Lounge Graphic and Web Design

Identity redesign/product identity system
UX design and consultation for website
Social media campaigns
Expo/Tradeshow Design
Logo development
Liaison between print production
Color consultant for the interior design of the salon

2013 Memphis Light Gas & Water Contracted Sr. Graphic Designer

Produced Compressed Natural Gas Station signage
Utility marketing signage
Brochure design for corporate events

and as a STUDENT!

2003 – 2005 American Intercontinental University, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Visual Communication / Digital Design | 3.9 G.P.A.

1999 – 2000 State Technical Institute At Memphis, Associate of Applied Science | Graphic Arts Technology | 4.0 G.P.A.

Skills

Software Proficiencies

Honors/Certifications/Continuing Education

Patent

Sharp Manufacturing Company of America Stove (#us D490649) External surface configuration for the front panel of a microwave oven

2SENSE DESIGN STUDIO, Inc

Designing brands, spaces, and experiences that connect people to stories.

The best ideas are rarely one-sided. They begin with listening to your perspective, are shaped by experience and intuition, and come to life where those two ways of seeing meet. That’s the philosophy behind 2Sense.

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