About Me
I’m a visual storyteller.
I believe in the power of compelling visuals to communicate ideas, evoke emotion, and build connection.
For 12 years, I had the privilege of doing just that at one of the world’s most iconic institutions — the Metropolitan Museum of Art — where I served as Senior Manager of Graphic Design. From the online catalogue to exclusive exhibition merchandise, I helped shape the visual identity that connected millions to the museum’s treasures.
I approach every project with a tireless spirit, a refined design sensibility, and a passion for creative risk-taking. My goal is always the same: to do the best work of my life.
My Journey
My love for visual storytelling began at 13, when my parents gave me a Canon camera. Framing the world through that viewfinder sparked a lifelong passion that led me to earn a BFA in photography — becoming the first in my immediate family to graduate college.
Photography has taught me patience, flexibility, and imagination. It’s helped me discover the qualities I value most in myself and in my work. My photographs have been featured in employee exhibitions at the Met and in galleries across the country.
Moments That Matter
Some of my favorite creative challenges include:
- Photographing a child who had never modeled before.
- Reading a book to a dog (also a first-time model).
- Convincing my friend, a world-renowned musician, to lend me his instruments for an idea I had for “Play it Loud,” and then lend me his kids because I needed junior astronauts for “Apollo’s Muse” (side note: he was more reluctant lending his instruments).
One of my greatest successes during my tenure at the MET was the concept campaign for Pride Week, “Be Yourself,” where I sent a museum-wide staff email asking for participation. The response was overwhelming and the campaign was a success, not because of sales (which were good), but because of the engagement and excitement it generated. There was a genuine buzz in the store and the museum, and employees would stop me in the halls to ask when the social posts and email blasts were starting. They felt connected by a shared goal and sense of community, that I had created.
The campaign was based on Oscar Wilde’s quote “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” To me, this means overcoming challenges while still holding onto your core beliefs. 2020 was surely a challenging time, and I feel you learn the most from moments like those. It certainly has tested my patience, while strengthening my equanimity.
What Drives Me
I love mentoring, leading, and collaborating. I thrive when I’m part of something bigger than myself. While the pandemic changed how and where I work, it hasn’t changed why I work: to share my passion, tell meaningful stories, and create visuals that resonate.
Photography taught me to look beyond the lens. Design taught me to see the world’s possibilities. I bring both perspectives to every project I take on.
Let’s create something unforgettable.
© Heather Shaw Design