Who the devil is Merrill O'Shaughnessy anyway?

An audaciously creative
product designer web developer brand builder UX specialist design student occasional rule breaker

I studied Human-centered Design and Informatics* at Duke University, graduating with my B.A. in December 2022. While there, I spent three years expanding my design skillset and applying both my passion for big-picture creative strategy and hands-on visual design work as a Creative Director and UX Designer at Pitch Story Lab, a student-powered marketing agency.

Previously, I interned as a UX Designer at Mastercard, rethinking some of their widest-reaching employee-facing tools and at Wing, shaping customer interactions with their fleet of ultra-fast delivery drones. Outside of design, I worked at Code Platoon teaching full-stack web development. However, my real passion lies in conceptualizing and creating unique identities that celebrate—not eliminate—the idiosyncrasies that connect customers to a brand.

I grew up just outside of Chicago, make a lot of self-deprecating jokes§, and enjoy getting my hands dirty exploring every step of the design process. I spend my free time drooling over beautiful packaging, clipping illustrations from newspapers, and raising a jungle of indoor plants.

Presently, I'm interning with the out-of-this-world design team at Prophet and I am seeking full-time positions in UX and Brand Identity Design.



*

This isn't your typical major but a rigorous interdisciplinary academic program I designed, combining two years of Engineering with courses in Stats, Design, Computer Science, and more.

Here's my full resume

But I tell people I'm from Chicago like everyone else from the 'burbs.

§

I don't get away with these as well as I'd like on the East Coast.

If you've gotten this far and are still interested in getting to know me better, connect with me on LinkedIn, or better yet, send me an email.

Contact Me

Let's take this relationship to the next level.

There are few things I enjoy more than turning abstract client concepts into clear and professional brand experiences.

Whether it means crafting stunning shelf-worthy packaging or developing unique web experiences, I'm interested in designing with you collaboratively, and bringing my enthusiasm, integrity, and wide ranging experience to whatever design challenge you're facing.