Info debra@debracartwright.com
@debracartwright
fine art represented by Welancora Gallery
Press
"Debra Cartwright's Abstract Paintings Examine the History of Medical Science and Black Womanhood" — 2023

Fondazioneimagomundi.org — "Debra Cartwright" — 2024
    
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Debra Cartwright
Art director and designer.
10+ years across editorial,
brand, and storytelling.
The New York Times · HBO · HarperCollins · Essence Condé Nast · McDonald's · People

1

Essence Festival



Art direction and campaign design for  the largest cultural events in the U.S. — environmental graphics, social, digital, and video across 10 years.

Work created as part of the Essence Magazine creative team 
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Over 10 years as Art Director at Essence Magazine, I led the full visual identity and campaign design for Essence Festival — the largest gathering of Black culture in the U.S., drawing 500,000+ attendees annually to New Orleans. My work spanned every touchpoint of the festival experience: environmental graphics, wayfinding systems, stage design, vendor booth panels, registration counters, street banners, digital campaigns, social media, email, and motion graphics. Each year I developed a new visual language from concept through production, directing photographers, motion designers, and production vendors to bring the campaign to life across print, digital, and physical environments.

2

NIKE Art Direction  



Art direction and campaign design for Nike — digital, social, and web across "The Heights" event campaign.

Mobile Game Campaign
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As Art Director for Nike's "The Heights" event campaign, I led the full visual identity across digital touchpoints — web, mobile, email, and social. My work spanned concept through production, directing photographers, motion designers, and production vendors to bring the campaign to life across print, digital, and physical environments, reaching all 5 boroughs.

3

Editorial Illustration 


Editorial illustration for The Atlantic, The New York Times, and Vogue Spain. Work spans watercolor, oil, and digital — created to illuminate ideas across news, culture, 
and politics.
The Atlantic
New York Times
Vogue Spain

4

The Hate U Give HarperCollins


Cover illustration for The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas — a #1 New York Times bestseller published by HarperCollins that was adapted into a major motion picture. The illustration became one of the most recognized book covers of the decade.

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Art Director: Jenna Stempel, Harper Collins

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In addition to The Hate U Give, I have illustrated book covers for publishers including Sourcebooks, Canongate, and Simon & Schuster across YA, middle grade, and adult nonfiction. Each cover required developing a distinct visual language that captures the emotional core of the story while meeting the commercial needs of the publisher and market.

5

Time Inc
Editorial Design 


Digital editorial design and social content for People.com, one of the world's highest-traffic entertainment platforms. Work included infographics, interactive features, social campaigns, and digital assets produced on rapid deadlines for a global audience.

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Designer — People.com Creative Team
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Print editorial design for Essence Magazine, including in-book spreads, advertorial layouts, and branded content pages. Work required maintaining the magazine's visual identity while designing for multiple sponsors and partners across each issue, balancing editorial integrity with commercial objectives.
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