It's time to #ShiftCreativity

Amanda Capers (She/Her)
Multidisciplinary & Art Director
Instagram: @trillpanda_

I’m a neurodivergent, multi-disciplined creative with a deep love for music and fashion. My ability to make connections through conversations has afforded me amazing opportunities like working on CURLFEST or working backstage at the VMAs. Whether through sneaker design, writing a Harvard-published paper, or producing events, I want to make people think and feel with my work. If I'm not creating you can catch me playing video games or spending quality time with loved ones.

Andrielle Giscombe (She/Her/They)
Creative Strategist & Copywriter
Instagram: @andriellemuses

I am Andrielle (Aun-dree-elle). Rebel. Sage. Jester. My mother nicknamed me “problem solver” when I took apart my bicycle to ‘fix’ it at age 3. As a creative strategist and copywriter, I maintain a healthy diet of culture, cuisine, and creativity to cultivate a rare vibe and authentic voice. As a natural connector and storyteller, my unconventional perspective spotlights the heart of any project and produces powerful copy that inspire consumers to take action.

Christian Santiago​ (He/Him)
Copywriter
Instagram: @christiansgotjokes

I’ve had expectations for what each stage of my life would look like. At every point thus far, I have been pleasantly surprised. I am a copywriter, stand-up comic, landlord, and many other things that I did not see coming. For many years, I have struggled with these identities and how I appear to the world, but this is the first time in my life I’m stepping into every room as Christian Santiago.

Curt Saunders​ (He/Him)
Art Direction, Photography & Creative
Instagram: @curthoranesaunders

I’m Curt, a Brooklyn-born, Jamaican-American art director and photographer with a knack for making playlists. I have a keen eye for artistic cultural references, and a passion for finding the intersections of identity, divinity, and community. I work with brands and clients to bring their ideas into visual fruition.

Destiny Laurice Washington (She/They)​​
Art Director & Designer
Instagram: @lauricecreative

My name is Destiny Washington - an art director informed by design, subculture, and activism. I’ve proudly built skills with open-source education that informs my creative process. I am a Shillington School alumnus, D&AD Shift Graduate, and founder of Laurice Creative - a design and strategy studio with four years of operation. I’m seeking collaboration and opportunities that allow me to express my cultural interests and make a social impact.

Enmanuel Pena​ (He/Him)
​Art Direction & Photography
Instagram: @ymanuel.jpg

As a storyteller, my goal is to inspire and move an audience through meaningful narratives. With photography I capture moments of love, tenderness, and identity in a way that highlights the beauty and complexities of my community. I’m also driven to become an art director, using my unique perspective to create impactful visual campaigns that celebrate and uplift black communities. When I’m not working you can find me practicing for my future Boiler Room DJ set.

Harmonie Malengo​ (She/Her/Hers)
Art Direction, Creative Production & Photography
Instragram: @harmonie.mk

Growing up, I’ve been fascinated with expressing myself creatively and collaborating with others. From organizing a performance dance crew in the first grade, to utilizing my conceptual and design skills to produce a successful campaign for brands like Afropick. I’m passionate about creating a future with more representation by adding global context that pushes culture forward. Having completed the D&AD Shift program has prepared me to embark on a new creative journey with confidence.

Janet Igah​ (She/Her/Hers)
Comms Strategist & Copywriter
LinkedIn: Janet Igah

Hi, I’m Janet. I am a multidimensional writer who’s copywriting elevates brand voice to be crystal clear. I have seven years of pr experience and transferable production experience with luxury brands. I am truly passionate about seeing brands thrive with strong messaging and organic growth that align with my personal ethos and life goals. Post D&AD SHIFT with Google, I look forward to creating compelling copy and strategic comms for your next project.

Jelani Ameer aka Noah Bility (He/Him)
Art Director & Archivist
Instagram: @noahbility.us

I was born Jelani Ameer, but creatively became known as Noah Bility. I’m an NYC native art director and archivist. My archive of imagery highlights those within the diaspora, as a way of bending the skewed lens through which it is viewed back into shape. Boiling everything down to its core elements, my work encapsulates two concepts: beauty and truth. Aiming for the convergence of the two, but always hitting at least one.

Justin Fullerton (He/Him)
3D Design
Instagram: @mind.2.matter

I am Justin Fullerton, a self-taught 3D designer. I have always had an inner world that I only recently discovered how to express visually through Blender and other 3D programs. I see most of my ideas in 3D and wanted to bring my virtual world to life. My goal is to blend virtual and physical worlds to create a unique digital experience. How about you? What does your inner world look like and can we bring it to life together?

Khyri B​ (He/Him)
Art Direction, Visual Direction & Design
Instagram: @khypatch

Im Khy Patch. An art director, visual director, and graphic designer from Brooklyn, NY. My multi-hyphenate skills led to me becoming the founder of GIFTED, my clothing brand. If you looking for me, im somewhere catching a vibe & curating dope work. Music encourages me to conceptualize, sports emote my drive, and with my love for sneakers, I take steps forward in style. Im the inspiration for finding your gift, while ascending above statistics.

Kurtis V. Hilliard (He/Him)
Copywriter
LinkedIn: Kurtis V. Hilliard

Once upon a time I wanted to be like Mike, but realized everyone wanted to do that, BORING! What ensued after my hoop dreams was an adventure, full of passion, poetry, and purpose. Now, by day, I’m a copy slinging wordsmith trying to slay the mundane, but after 6 pm, I’m a Crossfit, movie enthusiast, who lives for a good hike, and cigar.

Maddie Black​ (She/Her)
Creative Strategist & Copywriter
Instragram: @outspokenmagazine

I am an Editor in Belief. Empathy is my strength. But detail is the muscle I use to flex it. My name is Maddie Black and I'm a creative strategist/copywriter who is not only meticulous with my eyes, but with my heart. While belief drives me to tell tales of identity, my intricacy (or "editor eye") helps me see the core of who someone is. For me, "Editor in Belief" is a lifestyle.

Meilei Paet-De Silva​ (She/Her)
Art Director, Video Editor & Videographer
Instagram: @meilei.creative

I’m a Brooklyn-based art director who is most fulfilled when visually amplifying people's experiences, ideas, and stories. I’m a self-taught video editor–and honestly, it all happened by accident, but as I continue on this path I’m discovering that this is actually my purpose. I feel most alive when creating art and I take pride in breathing life into ideas. Visual storytelling is my passion and my art is meant to inspire, educate and immerse you.

Safwan Khan (He/Him)
Designer & Art Director
Instagram: @40SAF_DESIGNS

I’ve always been different from the rest. Someone who enjoys museums, documentaries, sketching, and sitting down at a genuine cafe. When I was younger, I wanted to be an artist; either being a cartoonist, illustrator, or architect. I fought to find myself creatively, not knowing what I really wanted to focus on. But now I can confidently say I am a Designer, Art-Director, and Photographer. Aiming to produce designs that will be meaningful and impactful for years to come.

Shakira Polite (She/Her)
Strategist
LinkedIn: Shakira Polite

As a strategist, I use ethnography to explore identity and culture. A natural curiosity led to my love for data. For seven years, I helped brands like Cartier, A.P.C., and Nutrofol turn customer experiences into practical insights. Recently, I compiled community-driven stories to develop creative strategies for the Brooklyn Nets. D&AD Shift taught me that lived experiences have value in advertising. I'm Shakira Polite, and through strategy, I tell stories that change hearts and minds.

Tatyana M. Smith (She/Her)
Art Direction, Design & Illustration
Instagram: @waveycreaturesonly

Hello, I am Tatyana M., an art director residing in upstate NY. My current discipline is design and illustration, although this continues to grow more and more just as I do. In my spare time, I use words and colors to portray imagery and emotions. Music is one of my biggest inspirations and makes me feel like I can create anything. From the lyrics to the beat, everything has a scene to be illustrated.