Distilling ideas into impact
I'm a freelance creative director and experience designer with a deep love for storytelling, systems thinking, and bringing big ideas to life. As a seasoned design professional, I specialize in crafting top-tier visual communications and immersive brand experiences. I'm an empathetic leader who is passionate about mentoring others, sharing knowledge, continually learning, and striking the right balance between quality and agility.
My studio, Distillery A Creative, is where I channel my love for distilling ideas into clear, actionable creative strategies. One of my favorite long-term clients has been USAFacts, where I helped develop overarching brand and data visualization guidelines and designed visuals and annual reports that helped grow their audience to over a million followers. I learned to love Excel and found that I really enjoy nerding out on data. I make information not just digestible—but delightful.
Over the past 20+ years, I’ve had the privilege of leading and supporting creative efforts for some of Microsoft’s most iconic events, including Build and Ignite. Whether I’m art directing visuals, designing immersive experiences for thousands of developers, or creating a social campaign, I thrive at the intersection of creativity and strategy. I’ve led design teams, managed live event creative production, built scalable design systems, and leveraged a broad set of tools to continually push creative boundaries.
I'm a designer and a creative strategist who truly GETS it. I can lead design strategy, deliver creative briefs, draft copy, create wireframes and/or final art, design gorgeous slides, draw an illustration, make a cute animation, crack a joke, provide art direction, develop a brand style guide from soup to nuts—you name it. If there's a design problem you're struggling with, I'd love to help!
I also love writing about presentation design—check out some of the links below.
- Alicia
- Alicia
Alicia Thornber
Founder and Creative Director
Distillery A Creative
Alicia lives in Bellingham, Washington with her husband and two children. When she's not at her desk, she enjoys activities like cooking, hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with family and friends.
Distillery A Creative
Alicia lives in Bellingham, Washington with her husband and two children. When she's not at her desk, she enjoys activities like cooking, hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with family and friends.
My services
Brand Strategy • Brand Style Guides • Logo Design • Illustration • Presentation Design • PowerPoint Templates • Experience Design • Creative Direction • Art Direction • Design Solutions • Data Visualization
How to hire me
Do you have a creative challenge you need help with? Click the button below and send me a note! I'll do my best to get back to you as quickly as possible, usually within a business day. If your project sounds like a good fit, we'll schedule a quick 30-minute discovery call to learn more and chat specifics.
Client verbatims
“In the last 15+ years that I’ve worked with Alicia, she has become a trusted partner to develop my presentations. She easily translates draft concepts and narratives into compelling visuals. Not only is Alicia a great designer, a PowerPoint pro, and an expert in her field, she is an engaging and collaborative team player. I’d recommend Alicia to any speaker needing a first-class executive presentation.”
- Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, founder of Ballmer Group and USAFacts.org
"As someone who has been working in live event production for over 25 years and for nearly 20 years at Microsoft ensuring the best communications for our senior executives, I cannot recommend Alicia Thornber enough as a visual storyteller. Alicia has brought to life many of the corporate narratives for Microsoft over the years. Not only is she a PowerPoint superuser but her skills in leading teams of people around these communications is second to none."
- Brian Schilling-George, Director, Microsoft Executive Productions
"This PowerPoint is stunning – the animation and builds – WOW!!!
I’m blown away. I know you are talented – but geeeezzzz this is out of the ballpark."
I’m blown away. I know you are talented – but geeeezzzz this is out of the ballpark."
- Jae Ellard, Founder, Simple Intentions
Let's chat!
Thank you!