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Richard Shanks and Nicholas Staal head up UpShift's graphic design teams

UpShift people

Chicago's smartest little graphic design agency.
When UpShift’s capable team handles all of your consumer touchpoints—brand identity, sales materials, web design, signage and advertising—your marketing budget goes farther and your impact is much greater. That's how we maximize your marketing ROI and deliver exceptional graphic design results. See all of the clients we've shifted to higher levels of success. Or, view case studies of Chicago's best little graphic design agency.



Looking to join our cutting edge graphic design team?
See open job listings.
+ key contacts
Main
UpShift Creative Group

333 N. Michigan Avenue
Suite 2225
Chicago, IL 60601

Phone/Fax

T: 312-750-6800
FX: 312-750-6900
email
Richard Shanks
President

T: 312-750-6800 x201
email

Nicholas Staal
Design Director

T: 312-750-6800 x202
email

Dana Albers
Office Manager

T: 312-750-6800 x204
email

Lindsey Jordan
Graphic Designer

T: 312-750-6800 x203
email
Other Staff
Designers and
Programmers We Trust

Chrissy D.
Zach W.
Grant
Colin
John S.
Clint
Doug
Nancy
Nicole

email
+ richard shanks, president

rich is our president

Mr. Shanks is the President of UpShift, where he leads Brand Development & Creative Strategy.

Mr. Shanks founded rshanksdesign in 2000 after working as Design Director at VSA Partners, one of Chicago’s most respected brand design agencies. In 2006, rshanksdesign changed its name to reflect the agency growth achieved since its beginnings and also to better position the agency for future success.

Today, UpShift is known for providing premium agency services to clients without the bloated staffs, complicated hierarchies and massive budgets found at most larger agencies.

Mr. Shanks received a Master of Art degree from the California Institute of the Arts and a Bachelor of Art from the University of Michigan.

Mr. Shanks is also an Adjunct Professor at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, where he teaches graphic design, typography and identity systems. His experience also includes Senior Designer positions in Chicago and Los Angeles, where he created brand identity systems, tv and print advertisements, multimedia interfaces, annual reports and corporate communications.
Contact Rich
T: 312-750-6800 x201

email

download bio
+ nicholas staal, design director

nick is our design director

Mr. Staal is Design Director at UpShift, where he leads day-to-day design direction, client interactions and project management.

Nick has over 10 years experience in the design and production of brand identities, packaging, print communication and web sites. He has worked on a variety of high-profile clients, including Accenture, the Weber Grill Restaurant, the Commercial Office of Spain and United Airlines.
Additionally, Mr. Staal is well-versed in conventional and digital photography, fashion and the art of cocktails.

Mr. Staal received his Bachelor of Art degree at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a concentration in graphic design.
Contact Nick
T: 312-750-6800 x202

email

download bio
©2011 UpShift Creative Group, Inc. 333 N. Michigan Ave #2225 Chicago IL 60601 | 312-750-6800 | All Rights Reserved | New Biz Inquiry | Site Map

 We shift branding, advertising and graphic design results higher for BtoB and BtoC businesses, non-profit organizations and startups. UpShift has received numerous awards for brand identity, web site design, logo design, visual identity, annual report design, social media marketing, sales collateral, brochure design, packaging design, event marketing and trade show booth design. As a boutique Chicago graphic design firm that specializes in integrated marketing, we've often been referred to as "Chicago's best branding and design agency" with expertise in real estate marketing, financial services branding, pharmaceutical branding, and graphic design for high-end consumer goods.