Shea Baker is one of those odd individuals who is equally balanced between right-brained and left-brained; half-artist, half-geek. Not a bad combination for an entrepreneurial graphic designer.
Her creativity continued through high school, where Shea juggled art classes with more traditional academic pursuits. Then one afternoon an unknown source explained there was this career called “graphic design” and the course was set. Shea’s first job in the “design” industry was with South Shore Signs in Marshfield where she helped with layout, design and production.
Shea attended Rochester Institute of Technology for college where she served as marketing director for the Off-Campus and Apartment Student Association and interned with trade show company Hoffend Xposition.
After graduating with a B.F.A. in Graphic Design and an A.A.S. in Illustration, Shea found a position with Coburn Design in Auburn, NY. Laura Coburn, the owner, served as her mentor and built the foundation of much of her business philosophies. There she learned how to run a small design firm and produce great work. Shea quickly moved into the role of managing large scale projects and was integral in expanding Coburn Design into the web design market.
Eventually the call of the ocean was stronger than her love for the Finger Lakes. In 2005 Shea returned to the South Shore where through a crazy collection of happenstance, her résumé made it through her Mother, to future studio mate Ed Nute, to high school classmate (and eventual 3thought co-founder & husband to be) Matt Ulvila who had been given the task of finding local design talent for Shields Design Studio.
Shea’s time at Shields provided many opportunities for Shea to apply, refine and expand her graphic design and project management skills. She also performed the following job functions at one point or another: hand model, casting agent, art director, prop stylist, floral designer, craft designer, database developer, food stylist, copy writer, estimator, financial analyst, budget planner, hair stylist, voice director, counsellor and bartender.
In 2009, Shea turned 30 and examined her list of Things I would like to do some day. “Start Own Design Firm” as staring back at her. She and Matt put the creation of 3thought into motion. Seeing a lifetime dream realized is a beautiful thing.
Shea currently lives in Plymouth where she spends her free time dabbling in home decorating, pinning, cooking and yoga. She loves to travel and experience new things, but one of her favorite journeys is the one she is taking with 3thought.