About -

I’ve worn more hats than most design tools.

My background spans business, marketing, design, and code. I began my career with a degree in Commerce and a focus on marketing, where I learned the importance of audience, positioning, and clear communication. Design and development came next, giving me the craft to build those ideas into real experiences. Today, my work blends all of these disciplines — editorial design, brand identity, and web development — with emerging AI tools to create work that is both practical and imaginative.

Meg Walker – Creative Leader | Brand Strategist | Digital Innovator

Highlights

Redesigned Pulse, the flagship publication for UVA Health Advancement, transforming it from a saddle-stitched newsletter into a perfect-bound magazine with modern design, patient-centered storytelling, and commissioned photography (including a NICU cover shoot).

Created the visual identity and brand system for UVA’s $6B Honor the Future campaign (2016–2025), guiding adoption across communicators on Grounds and ensuring cohesion across multi-year, multi-channel campaigns

Led creative direction for Illuminating Tomorrow, the closing celebration of UVA’s $6B campaign, from event naming and branding to invitation design and integrated visual identity

Developed flexible sub-brand systems for University groups, including UVA Parent and Alumni Travel, Engagement, and UVA Bands, balancing cohesive identity with the needs of distinct sub-groups

Pioneered AI integration across Advancement Communications, creating implementation guides, training sessions, and best practices for tools including ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Claude

Awarded multiple CASE and District III honors, including Silver for Envision magazine and Gold for the Advancement Digital Toolkit

Experience

Advancement Communications, University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA

Assistant Creative Director, 2023–Present

Led art direction for Envision magazine—which received the 2025 CASE Circle of Excellence Award, providing creative leadership during critical staff transitions

Established AI integration initiatives, developing comprehensive training programs and implementation guides for ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Claude across university advancement

Provided strategic creative direction for flagship projects including campaign close events, digital newsletters, and video content production

Spearheaded major platform migration from Drupal to WordPress, managing 300+ stories and 200+ pages while maintaining brand consistency and user experience

Developed the branding and visual identity for the An Evening with President Jim Ryan event series, shaping a cohesive and recognizable presence for the University President’s signature public forums

Director of Digital Design & Development, 2021–2023

Led creative direction for the redesign of giving.virginia.edu in collaboration with an external vendor, infusing fresh energy into the campaign and strengthening brand cohesion

Produced award-winning photo books as keepsakes for students who completed their studies virtually during the pandemic

Created unique, in-demand gifts for the Office of the President and Board of Visitors, enhancing donor and leadership engagement

Developed branding for Virginia2030, aligning visual strategy with institutional priorities

Assistant Director of Digital Design & Development, 2019–2021

Designed and launched the Engagement website (2020), creating a comprehensive digital platform to support university advancement initiatives

Provided creative direction for integrated digital campaigns supporting university advancement goals

Established comprehensive design standards and brand guidelines across all advancement digital properties

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent brand application across platforms and initiatives

Art Director & Web Developer, 2016–2019

Created and launched the Honor the Future brand identity and visual system (2016–2019), establishing the foundation for UVA’s $6B fundraising campaign and evolving it through launch

Directed development of the Honor the Future Drupal platform (2018), managing an external firm to deliver the University’s primary giving site for the campaign

Web Designer & Developer, 2013–2016

Designed and developed responsive fundraising websites and custom WordPress themes optimized for multiple devices

Created scalable template systems for email marketing, donation forms, and event registration platforms

Established consistent visual identity for central advancement digital properties

Mountain Lumber Company | Remote

Marketing Manager, 2008–2013

Directed marketing strategy for a national FSC-certified and reclaimed lumber company

Designed and executed print and digital campaigns, managing Google Ads and tracking ROI

Produced company communications—press releases, newsletters, promotional materials—and managed product photography and visual content for marketing and e-commerce

Planned and coordinated trade show participation, including exhibit design and on-site marketing

FourDesign | Blacksburg, VA

General Manager & Web Developer, 2011–2013

Supported the faculty director in managing a student-run design center, coordinating client projects from intake to delivery

Produced print and web solutions, including custom WordPress templates and responsive designs in HTML5/CSS

Axel Johnson Inc | Charlottesville, VA

Business Analyst, 2007-2008

Researched housing and green building market trends to identify national growth opportunities

Analyzed sales data and lead tracking to inform territory placement and strategy

Education

MFA, Creative Technologies – Virginia Tech, 2013

BS, Commerce (Marketing & Finance) – University of Virginia, 2007

Awards

CASE Circle of Excellence Silver – Envision Magazine (2025)

CASE Circle of Excellence Silver – Honor the Future Campaign Visual Identity System Branding

CASE District III Gold – Honor the Future Campaign Launch Experience

CASE District III Gold – Advancement Digital Toolkit

CASE District III Gold – President’s Holiday Card & Sweater

Service

President’s Council on UVA–Community Partnerships

Trailblazers PTO – President, leading community engagement and communications

City-Wide PTO Fund – Co-founder, authored mission statement, and designed visual identity

Technical Expertise

Creative Software: Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, Canva

AI Tools: ChatGPT, Midjourney, Claude, Make.com (Training & Implementation)

Digital Platforms: WordPress, Drupal, Google Analytics

Photography & Video: Direction, production coordination, post-production oversight