Welcome to Celestial Bear Design

Thoughtful Design. Meaningful Ideas. Creative Exploration.

Hi, I’m Emily, a graphic designer and illustrator with a love for visual storytelling, thoughtful details, and finding creative ways to communicate an idea.

My experience has taken me through branding, packaging, marketing, social media, illustration, print, and digital design. Over the past five years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a wide range of creative projects, each of which has helped shape the way I think about design and problem-solving.

I’m especially drawn to the balance between creativity and structure. I love exploring color, typography, illustration, composition, and the small details that can completely change how something feels.

For me, design is an ongoing process of learning, experimenting, and finding better ways to turn ideas into something visual.

A Little About Me

Creativity has always been part of my life, although my path to graphic design hasn’t exactly been a straight line. Before pursuing design, I spent six years in the Army and eventually found my way into marketing and creative work. Today, I work professionally in marketing and graphic design while continuing my education in studio art with a focus on graphic design.

That combination of experiences has shaped the way I approach creative work. I appreciate structure and organization, but I also love experimentation, curiosity, and the freedom to explore an idea until it feels right.

Outside of design, you’ll usually find me drawing, listening to music, learning something new, or spending time with my husband.

The Story Behind the Name

Celestial Bear Design may seem like an unusual name at first, but it represents two of the most important people in my life.

My dad loved bears and supported every piece of art I created. He taught me strength, patience, and quiet kindness. My mom was a night owl who loved sitting outside and staring at the stars with me, just talking about whatever. She encouraged my creativity and taught me to keep growing, learning, and finding possibilities even when things were difficult.

Losing them both changed my life, and Celestial Bear Design became a way for me to carry a little piece of each of them forward.

The bear represents my dad. Celestial represents my mom.

Together, they are a reminder of where my creativity began, the people who encouraged it, and why creating things with meaning continues to matter to me.

Always Creating, Always Learning

One of the things I enjoy most about design is that there is always something new to explore.

I’m continually developing my skills, experimenting with different styles and techniques, and learning more about the relationship between art, design, and communication. Some projects are highly structured and strategic. Others give me room to illustrate, experiment, or simply try something I haven’t done before.

This portfolio is a collection of that journey: professional work, creative projects, experiments, and the ideas that continue to shape me as a designer.

It’s not just about making something look good.
It’s about creating something that means something.