Shawn Kelshaw
UX Alchemist & Product Picasso
I come into the user experience discipline from the design side, but I also dabble in front-end coding and familiar with object oriented programming concepts. I graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Traditional Illustration and transitioned into computer-aided design (graphic and Web) during the early days of the dotcom era. I moved around quite a bit after college seeking adventure and knowledge which led to big mountain snowboarding in Colorado and surfing in Florida. It also exposed me to different design cultures and approaches. I’ve retired my passion for extreme sports and taken on a new passion — playing bad golf.
I’m drawn to complex problems and perceive Product Design as akin to solving a dynamic puzzle, where the pieces are in a constant state of flux. I am well-versed in methodologies such as Waterfall, Agile/Scrum, and the increasingly popular Design Thinking frameworks. Personally, I see all of these varying design and engineering methodologies and mindsets as nothing more than the scientific method in disguise. While I’m prepared to take on any independent contributor (IC) engagements, I tend to thrive in team environments where I can take on a design strategy and/or leadership role while also mentoring and collaborating with fellow designers, engineers, researchers and stakeholders.
“Arif has taken your design recommendations and leveraged them to create an amazing solution for our business partners and they are all overjoyed. We understand that it is a draft and you will be doing some testing, but it has been a great springboard for us and wanted to let you know how much we appreciate you saving the day!”

Melinda B. — B2B Product Owner, AT&T

“I am pleased to offer my wholehearted endorsement for Shawn. He is a highly proficient and dedicated UX Architect who consistently exhibits exceptional expertise in his field.

During our collaborative tenure at Fleet Cost & Care, Shawn played a pivotal role in enhancing our product’s usability and overall user satisfaction. His discerning ability to comprehend user requirements and translate them into intuitive, visually appealing design solutions was truly commendable.

Shawn’s approach to UX design is characterized by scrupulous attention to detail, innovative problem-solving, and a profound understanding of user behavior. His capacity to envision solutions beyond existing paradigms provided us with the opportunity to significantly redefine our approach to user experience.

Shawn also exhibited a commendable dedication to identifying and rectifying suboptimal coding practices that, if left unchecked, could have posed significant challenges in the future. Thanks to his vigilance, potential issues were identified and addressed promptly, preventing potential setbacks that could have materialized months down the road.

Shawn’s contributions to our projects were invaluable, and his professionalism, knowledge, and proactive approach make him an exceptional asset to any team or organization. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Shawn, as I am confident that he will continue to excel in his UX Architect role and positively impact any project he undertakes.”


David Thornton — SME, Technical Team Lead, Fleet Cost & Care
“I had the pleasure of working with Shawn in a research role to complement Shawn’s design expertise. I was consistently impressed with his attention to detail in the design work he did. And on top of that, he had a true heart for the customer, and always approached his designs from the customer perspective, while keeping business goals and constraints in mind. He was very involved and interested in customer research on his designs, and eagerly took customer feedback and expertly translated it into the next iteration. His knowledge of design principles is deep, and it shows in his work.”

Sharon Meaney — AVP, Lead Product Manger (User Research), Wells Fargo
Crafting Creativity, Flowing Innovation.
Within the walls of a designer’s studio, ideas flow, concepts collide, and the alchemy of imagination transforms visions into reality.

– ChatGPT

It’s historic. It’s home.
Savannah, Georgia, was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe.

– ChatGPT

I can remember a time when Savannah was a ghost town. You could park anywhere downtown on any day of the week. The now famous Broughton street was deserted and the Savannah College of Art and Design only occupied a few buildings downtown.

Today Savannah is a popular tourist destination and finding parking downtown on the weekend can be a chore. Broughton street is bustling and we have an amazing creative culture with museums on nearly every corner. This renaissance was spurred after SCAD bought many of Savannah’s run-down historic buildings from the city and gave them to its architecture program, allowing students to restore them back to their original glory.
Savannah has been host to some major motion pictures as well, like The Legend of Bagger Vance, Forest Gump and the famous Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Our St. Patrick’s Day celebration is a rite of passage. Even Widespread Panic gives homage to Savannah’s spirited night life in its hit song, Up All Night.