{"id":8,"date":"2025-04-02T04:40:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T04:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/?p=8"},"modified":"2025-05-29T05:33:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T05:33:24","slug":"bio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/2025\/04\/02\/bio\/","title":{"rendered":"Bio"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:2px\"><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__avatar\"><img alt='' src='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ea04a9779117547b921b7b49df729993083447c6c547d57302dade081a9094a7?s=48&#038;d=wavatar&#038;r=pg' srcset='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ea04a9779117547b921b7b49df729993083447c6c547d57302dade081a9094a7?s=96&#038;d=wavatar&#038;r=pg 2x' class='avatar avatar-48 photo' height='48' width='48' \/><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">Shelby La Fleur<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2025-04-02T04:40:10+00:00\">April 2, 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My name is Shelby, and I come from a fine art and graphic design background. Creativity has always been at the center of my life, shaping the way I view and interact with the world. While my journey started in traditional art, I have since expanded into digital design, business strategy, and analytics, exploring how creativity intersects with data-driven decision-making.<br>I earned my bachelor&#8217;s degree from Southern Oregon University, where I focused on design and the arts. Later, I decided to pursue my MBA at the same university to deepen my understanding of business and how strategic thinking can complement creative problem-solving. My goal has never been to move into management or run my own design firm; rather, it has been to become a well-rounded designer who can think critically about business challenges and create visually compelling, strategically effective solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-vivid-purple-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-vivid-purple-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of my most memorable projects involved a graphic design course where I worked on a video game project. Although my primary role was creating the game&#8217;s soundtrack, I was also introduced to web development through Glitch&#8217;s platform. This experience provided me with a glimpse into Java scripting and how websites operate on a technical level. While I wouldn&#8217;t consider myself a web developer, I appreciate the way coding and design work together to create user-friendly experiences. This exposure to web development sparked my curiosity about digital platforms and how design choices impact user engagement and interaction. I remain open-minded to web design opportunities and am excited to explore how it can enhance my creative skill set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:4px\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>  Beyond visual design, I have a deep passion for sound design and its ability to shape experiences. My work on the video game project allowed me to experiment with composing and integrating audio into interactive media. Sound design is fascinating and has the power to evoke emotions and influence perception. Whether through music, ambient soundscapes, or audio branding, I enjoy exploring how sound can complement visual storytelling and create immersive experiences. I plan to continue incorporating sound into my creative projects, particularly in digital media and interactive design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"background-color:#d59d3d;color:#d59d3d\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to sound design, I also have a love for photography and makeup design. Photography allows me to capture moments and tell stories through composition, lighting, and perspective. I enjoy experimenting with different styles, from portrait photography to conceptual shoots that combine elements of fine art and digital manipulation. On the other hand, makeup design is another form of artistic expression that fascinates me. Whether it&#8217;s creating bold, avant-garde looks or enhancing natural beauty, I see makeup as a powerful tool for transformation and storytelling. Both photography and makeup design allow me to explore creativity in new ways and push the boundaries of visual expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:5px\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br> On a more personal note, I&#8217;m passionate about creative expression in all forms. Whether painting, creating digital illustrations, or experimenting with new design tools, I find joy in bringing ideas to life visually. I also enjoy exploring ways to integrate art with technology, as both have the power to shape our experience of the world. I love immersing myself in creative projects that challenge my skills and push me to think outside the box. Art and design are not just hobbies for me; they are means of communication, evocation of emotions, and problem-solving in innovative ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-vivid-purple-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-vivid-purple-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to my artistic background, I have always been intrigued by the intersection of design and psychology. Understanding how visual elements influence perception and decision-making has helped refine my approach to creating effective and engaging designs. Whether working on branding, advertising, or user interface design, I aim to craft experiences that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-vivid-purple-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-vivid-purple-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As I continue to grow in my career, I&#8217;m eager to develop my skills further in digital marketing, website analytics, and user experience design. While I may not have built a website from scratch, I am excited to learn more about how visual storytelling and data-driven insights can enhance online engagement. I am particularly interested in how businesses use design and digital strategies to connect with their audiences and create meaningful interactions.<br>Thank you for taking the time to read a bit about me! Feel free to connect with me. I&#8217;d love to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, or chat about design, business, and creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:2px\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"664\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10\" src=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-02-26-163215-664x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-02-26-163215-664x1024.jpg 664w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-02-26-163215-195x300.jpg 195w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-02-26-163215-768x1184.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-02-26-163215.jpg 812w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"705\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"9\" src=\"http:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_6800-705x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_6800-705x1024.jpg 705w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_6800-206x300.jpg 206w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_6800-768x1116.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_6800-1057x1536.jpg 1057w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_6800.jpg 1091w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 705px) 100vw, 705px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"14\" src=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7104-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7104-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7104-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7104-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7104-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7104.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"740\" data-id=\"13\" src=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7106.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7106.jpg 960w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7106-300x231.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/IMG_7106-768x592.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"884\" height=\"849\" data-id=\"12\" src=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/24EB80A5-9337-437F-A85A-33CD7AA5FC76.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/24EB80A5-9337-437F-A85A-33CD7AA5FC76.jpg 884w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/24EB80A5-9337-437F-A85A-33CD7AA5FC76-300x288.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/24EB80A5-9337-437F-A85A-33CD7AA5FC76-768x738.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1019\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"15\" src=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/22AED25B-5FEF-416F-B6DD-2FACF32158A6-1019x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/22AED25B-5FEF-416F-B6DD-2FACF32158A6-1019x1024.jpeg 1019w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/22AED25B-5FEF-416F-B6DD-2FACF32158A6-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/22AED25B-5FEF-416F-B6DD-2FACF32158A6-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/22AED25B-5FEF-416F-B6DD-2FACF32158A6-768x772.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/22AED25B-5FEF-416F-B6DD-2FACF32158A6-1529x1536.jpeg 1529w, https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/140\/2025\/04\/22AED25B-5FEF-416F-B6DD-2FACF32158A6-2038x2048.jpeg 2038w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1019px) 100vw, 1019px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:9px\">Artwork by Shelby La Fleur<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:2px\"><\/p>\n\n\n<p style=\"color:#430d75; font-style:italic;font-weight:100;text-transform:capitalize;\" class=\"wp-elements-870a72e77c553d5414a32dc86f06c2fc wp-block-site-tagline has-text-color has-small-font-size\">&quot;Crafting Stories Through Sound, Design, and Art&quot;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My name is Shelby, and I come from a fine art and graphic design background. Creativity has always been at the center of my life, shaping the way I view and interact with the world. While my journey started in traditional art, I have since expanded into digital design, business strategy, and analytics, exploring how creativity intersects with data-driven decision-making.I [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":170,"featured_media":11,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[4,3],"class_list":["post-8","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-posts","tag-about","tag-bio"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/170"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.sou.edu\/lafleurs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}