Shaun Whalen
Creative Director
Hello, it's nice to meet you! As an innovative Creative Director, I excel in leading talented teams to produce exceptional, impactful work.
With a robust track record of managing a diverse portfolio of brands for Centene Corporation and collaborating with prestigious clients like NBC/Universal, Hilton Hotels, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Fiserv, Backwoods Music Festival, Sungard, Darden Restaurants, and Red Lobster, my expertise is both vast and versatile.
My skill set spans brand management, advertising, copywriting, video and motion graphics, content marketing, and industrial design, enabling me to deliver creative solutions that consistently exceed expectations. Explore my work to see the results of unparalleled creativity and strategic vision in action.
Portfolio Examples
Dive into my portfolio to see firsthand how my teams and I have transformed visions into reality for our esteemed clients. Click the logos below to discover the innovative strategies and creative solutions that have driven exceptional results for my clients.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Global Robotics Institute
Battery Tender
Centene Corporation
Connect with me to discuss other examples or how
I can support your design and creative needs.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Sizzling Success
Bringing In New Guests with Marketing and Quality Design
For many years, my team and I had the privilege of being a marketing and design partners for Ruth's Chris Steak House. During this time, my team and I executed a wide range of initiatives to support both corporate and franchise-owned locations while meticulously maintaining brand guidelines.
I created the video that was displayed on the NASDAQ Tower in Times Square on June 11th, 2015. The video was created in honor of the 10th anniversary of Ruth’s Chris going public in 2005.
Watch the video
Advertising
My team and I designed and placed dozens of ads each week across the US, Canada, and internationally. Our campaigns consistently reflected Ruth's Chris's premium brand identity and effectively reached a diverse audience.Happy Hour Sub-Brand
One of our standout achievements was establishing the sub-brand guidance for the highly successful Happy Hour program. This involved creating a distinct yet cohesive identity that integrated seamlessly with the overall brand while attracting a new segment of customers.Social Media
Our team produced engaging social media posts that resonated with followers and potential customers. Through visually compelling content and strategic messaging, we enhanced the brand's online presence and engagement.Video Production
We produced high-quality videos that showcased the elegance and quality of Ruth's Chris Steak House. These videos ranged from promotional clips to behind-the-scenes features, each reinforcing the brand's commitment to excellence.Conclusion
Through our dedicated partnership, we ensured that Ruth's Chris Steak House maintained its prestigious image across all marketing channels. Our comprehensive approach—from ad design to social media, video production, and menu design—helped sustain and elevate the brand's presence in a competitive market.
Battery Tender
From Soup to Nuts
Comprehensive Branding and Holistic Marketing
As the Creative Director for Battery Tender, I unified the brand's identity across all company asset types, including packaging, product, and marketing platforms to create a cohesive and compelling presence.
Advertising
I led the creation of visually striking ad campaigns that aligned with our brand’s voice. These campaigns ran across various platforms, ensuring a wide reach.Packaging
My team and I overhauled packaging to align with new product designs. The updated packaging is visually appealing, informative, and user-friendly, enhancing the customer’s unboxing experience.Social Media
Our robust social media strategy unified our messaging across platforms. The Instagram account, launched during my tenure, now boasts over 3,900 followers, showcasing engaging content and fostering a strong community.
Product Design
Starting with product design, I refined aesthetics and functionality to reflect the brand’s commitment to excellence. Sleek, modern designs now feature our signature colors and logo prominently.
Product Design Case Study:
Wireless Monitor
One of the most rewarding projects I successfully lead was the design and development of the Wireless Monitor. See sketches and learn a bit more about the process.Read the case study
Print Media
Print materials, from brochures to posters, were redesigned with high-quality imagery and bold typography. Each piece is designed to be eye-catching and informative.Video
I directed videos that brought Battery Tender’s story to life. From product demos to behind-the-scenes looks, these high-production-value videos are a key part of our marketing strategy.Conclusion
Through a holistic approach, I unified Battery Tender’s branding from soup to nuts. This comprehensive branding overhaul elevated our visual presence, strengthened market position, and boosted customer loyalty.
Battery Tender
Industrial Design Case Study
Wireless Monitor
Sketch
Wireframe
3D Render
As the Creative Director at Battery Tender, I had the unique opportunity to collaborate closely with engineers on a variety of innovative projects. One of the most rewarding and successful projects I led was the design and development of the Wireless Monitor. This project allowed us to push the boundaries of product design and functionality, resulting in a device that enhances user experience and battery management.Project Overview
The Wireless Monitor was a cutting-edge device designed to measure the voltage of a battery as its current passed through. This vital piece of information helped users maintain the health and longevity of their batteries, ensuring optimal performance. The monitor became available for purchase at AutoZone stores across the USA, marking a significant milestone for our team.
Design Inspiration
The form factor of the Wireless Monitor was heavily inspired by the concept of Ying and Yang, symbolizing the continuous flow of energy in and out of the battery. This duality was reflected not only in the device’s functionality but also in its aesthetic design. The small, circular shape provided users with a comfortable grip, making it easy to connect and disconnect the device. Additionally, the two-tone color scheme served as a mnemonic aid, helping users quickly and accurately connect the monitor.Design Process
The design process for the Wireless Monitor was highly iterative and collaborative. My team and I brainstormed numerous concepts, each focusing on different aspects of usability, aesthetics, and functionality. We employed various design techniques, including sketching, 3D modeling, and prototyping, to explore and refine these concepts.Key Design Features
• Circular Form Factor: The compact and ergonomic design ensured that the monitor was easy to handle and connect to the battery terminals.
• Ying and Yang Inspiration: This philosophical concept guided the overall design, emphasizing the balance and flow of energy, which was central to the monitor’s function.
• Two-Color Motif: The distinct color scheme not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal but also served a practical purpose. It helped users easily identify the correct way to connect the monitor, reducing the likelihood of errors.Challenges and Solutions
One of the primary challenges we faced was ensuring that the design was both functional and visually appealing. Balancing these aspects required close collaboration with our engineering team to ensure that the final product met all technical requirements while also providing an intuitive user experience.Outcome and Impact
The final production model of the Wireless Monitor was a significant achievement, reflecting the hard work and dedication of our team. Its availability at AutoZone stores underscored the success of our efforts. The Wireless Monitor helped users maintain their batteries more effectively and represented a harmonious blend of form and function.Conclusion
Working on the Wireless Monitor was one of the highlights of my career at Battery Tender. This project exemplified how thoughtful design can enhance product functionality and user experience. It was a perfect example of how innovative thinking and collaborative effort can lead to the creation of a product that truly meets the needs of its users.
Florida Hospital
Global Robotics Institute
The Robots Are Everywhere and This is a Good Thing
A New Online Presence to Increase Visibility of Robot Assisted Surgery
Project Overview
We took the Global Robotics Institute (GRI) website from RFP (Request For Proposal) all the way to conclusion. It was a massive undertaking. The greatest challenge from the start was making sure that all of the site’s existing content would be moved over to the new site, and organizing it all into a structure with a lot of additional pages. Poor planning could result in an unacceptable drop in organic search traffic.
I led the RFP efforts and pitch that ultimately won us the contract, competing against an incumbent and two other bidders. The project required us to meticulously take in and reorganize dozens of pages while preserving the site's search result integrity. We conducted extensive user interviews to better understand our audience’s needs, added new content areas to enhance the site's value, and commissioned new headshots and site photography of the institute's building to refresh and modernize the visual appeal. My team also optimized the site's content and structure for better search engine ranking, ensuring that our improvements would drive long-term traffic growth.In the end, we successfully launched a dynamic new website on time and on budget. Within a few months of the launch, we saw a significant uptick in traffic, validating our efforts and strategic approach.
Centene Corporation
Building an Internal Agency
AcariaHealth YouTube Video
My team produced this promo video for AcariaHealth, one of the five brands under our group's umbrella. A writer and I collaborated on the script and designed some motion graphics personally. About two years ago, Envolve Pharmacy Solutions, another brand I managed, needed a significant update.
This required us to revise hundreds of pieces of collateral, websites, and videos, which is why the current version was published about a year ago, while the original was produced nearly three years ago.Centene, with 60,000 employees and multiple business units, required a coordinated effort. I worked with dozens of people across various groups for six months to ensure the brand update was comprehensive. It was one of the biggest logistical undertakings of my career.Watch the video
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Contact
Thank you for visiting my portfolio. I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or via email to stay updated on my latest projects and insights. I am eager to discuss how my skills can contribute to your team whether you're seeking a full-time or contract Creative Director. Let's connect and explore possibilities together!