Shea 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.
As a toddler, she was caught more than once drawing a plaid butterfly. This confused her father, but his concerns were put to rest by her artistically-trained mother who said, “Oh, that’s a good thing. It means she’s creative.” While attending Marshfield High School, Shea juggled art classes with more traditional academic pursuits and finally figured out the summer before her senior year that she needed to become a graphic designer. The lightning bolt hit when an unknown source explained you can actually get paid for designing logos and play posters. Sounded like a brilliant idea.
Her first job in the “design” industry was for South Shore Signs in Marshfield. (Her first job was actually for a candy store, and she’s still pretty good at being able to tell the difference between a cherry, raspberry, strawberry or cinnamon Jelly Belly Jelly Bean.) There she not only helped with layout, design and production, but helped the owner develop a pricing guide to improve profitability.
Shea decided to attend Rochester Institute of Technology. There, she loved being immersed in art and design, but also did her liberal arts concentration in Economics (this was a break from the subjective critique in art classes because there were all simple right/wrong answers). While at school she served as marketing director for the Off-Campus and Apartment Student Association and took an internship (that lasted 2 years) with Hoffend Xposition (a tradeshow company that has since been acquired by the Freeman Companies). These were her introduction to an actual production environment for conceptual designs. The process was intriguing and provided an immense sense of satisfaction.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and an Associates of Applied Science 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. Shea learned a lot about how to run a small design firm and how to produce great work. She quickly earned a designation as Senior Designer and was managing large scale projects from initial client meetings through production. She also was integral in expanding the firm into the web design market.
Ultimately, though, Shea is an ocean girl at heart. New York’s Finger Lakes, as lovely as they were, weren’t cutting it any more and the Atlantic called her home to the South Shore. Through a strange collection of happenstance, her résumé made it to Matt at Shields Design Studio. “Hey, I remember her from High School,” he said, and soon after she was hired. Shields Design provided many opportunities for Shea to apply, refine and expand her skill set. In addition to graphic design and project management, 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 March of 2009, Shea turned 30. She had recently purchased her first home and was looking at her list of “Things I would like to do some day” to see what was next. It was time. She and Matt put the creation of 3thought into motion. Having her own firm was something Shea had talked about before even attending design school and seeing it realized feels pretty dang good.
Shea currently lives in North Plymouth with her cat, Osiris. She is an HGTV addict, American Idol watcher and never misses the Today Show. She loves to travel and experience new things, but one of her favorite journeys is the one she is taking with 3thought.
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