Kelly Gilbert
Graphic Designer at Wray Ward, Charlotte, NC
Education: BFA in Art, with a Concentration in Graphic Design and a minor in Art History, UNC Charlotte (2022)
Hometown: Charlotte NC
Kelly Gilbert was inspired at a very young age by her mom, who is an artist and taught her the foundations of figure drawing. She attended Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem to pursue her training, where she took classes in pottery, painting, and drawing. These classes led to her desire to choose art as her career. She then entered the BFA program with a love for painting, and the further along in the program she got, she developed an appreciation for graphic design.
During her time as a student, every project Kelly was a part of shaped her ability to think creatively as both an artist and a designer, she says. With the guidance of her art professors, she strengthened her critical thinking skills and ability to create a visual narrative in a way that sparks a unique experience with an audience.
“UNC Charlotte’s art programs help cultivate artists who excel in multidisciplinary thinking, spanning realms of science, social discourse, politics, cultural exploration, and beyond. Through education at the College of Arts + Architecture, students are empowered with the tools and expertise to craft purposeful and impactful art, fostering meaningful engagement within the broader arts community,” she says.
Some of Kelly’s most cherished memories at UNC Charlotte were during her time working on the Nova Magazine, which is a student produced publication that features a curated selection of artwork, audio, poetry, short stories and films. Kelly remembers, “During one promo event, we put a paper-mache cat head on my friend and invited students outside the union to throw paint at him. After completing the magazine, we held a movie day in the Nova office, bringing snacks, blankets, and a projector.”
She is currently a graphic designer at Wray Ward, Charlotte’s largest advertising agency. She contributes original ideas to ad campaigns and develops visual identities and packaging for diverse brands. Her key responsibilities include working with copywriters and other designers to brainstorm and execute multimedia campaigns. She brings concepts to life through lookbooks, magazine ads, billboards, and social media graphics. Kelly also creates storyboards for TV spots, designs logos, and builds brand identities. Additionally, she provides art direction for photoshoots and occasionally produces creative guerrilla-style videos to win new clients.
“At Wray Ward, I helped develop a new brand unifying two long-standing nonprofits that combat food insecurity — Loaves & Fishes and Friendship Trays. Now known as Nourish Up, this network of food pantries and meal delivery works to empower individuals who receive meals. Using nourishment and dignity as guiding values, our team crafted a new identity, including a name, logo, and visual branding. The brand launched in 2024 with a press conference at a new facility and meal delivery trucks plastered with our designs.”
Recently, the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative commissioned her to illustrate a zine highlighting a local news story on affordable housing in Charlotte. She collaborated with journalist Marshall Terry from WFAE to explore a creative solution—converting motels into micro-housing units.
“There’s a lot of skepticism over displacing families who have lived in these motels and the continued gentrification of the city. It’s an imperfect solution, but hopefully it expands the conversation around affordable housing.”
Her advice for current students: “I have a list of art rules by Corita Kent taped up on my wall. I look at it daily for inspiration. My favorite rule: ‘Always be around. Come or go to everything. Always go to classes. Read anything you can get your hands on. Look at movies carefully, often. Save everything — it might come in handy later.’”
Kelly is exhibiting work in the Generations exhibition for the 60th anniversary of the Department of Art & Art History. To learn more about her work, visit her website.