Synthesizing data into
presentations with impact.

At Distillery A Creative, we bring your ideas and brand to life through visual storytelling. From designing impactful executive-level presentations, developing brand strategy frameworks, or creating bespoke visualizations, we're here to help your communications stand out from the rest.


Recent articles

Creating a presentation?
Don't make these five common mistakes


12 useful + surprising things you can do in PPT

Transform your slides with color

Design better charts in PPT



Get gorgeous gradients



Awesome PowerPoint animation techniques

Read more of my articles on Medium




Alicia Thornber
Founder, Distillery A Creative


As a seasoned presentation development expert with over 20+ years of experience, Alicia specializes in crafting boutique presentations for executive keynotes and corporate events. She is passionate about crafting a unique story and powerful visuals that will invite people to sit up and listen. During her career at Microsoft, Alicia led design teams, managed live event creative production, and brought teams together with common goals, all while creating content for top-tier keynotes. 

Alicia lives in Bellingham, Washington with her husband and two children. When she's not designing PowerPoint slides, she enjoys cooking, biking, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Recent portfolio samples

USAFacts presentation: State of the Union 2022

Developed custom PowerPoint template and unique graphics. Worked with Chief of Marketing and other project leads to develop presentation content. Used Microsoft Excel and Adobe Illustrator to create all data visualizations.


Microsoft Azure: Ignite presentation

Designed custom iconography and high-end animation solutions for this 30+ slide presentation (remainder of content under NDA). 


Flipgrid presentation template

Worked with agency Johnnie Studio to develop a refreshed look & feel for Flipgrid's presentations. As the primary brand refresh was not yet complete, this template took inspiration from recent social marketing campaigns and helped charter new creative explorations, at the same time meeting their immediate marketing & content needs.

USAFacts: Data visualization work

All custom data visualizations designed with Excel and Adobe Illustrator.


Examples of brand identity work
Logos developed for Reese Ryann Builders, Strategic Event Procurement, Domino Beauty Boutique, Halibut Flats, Gigglespots.

Microsoft's data culture for everyone

Designed this custom illustration for a Microsoft press event (turnaround request = one business day). This was used as the primary screen background behind CEO Satya Nadella's keynote and was later used on his LinkedIn profile image.
Client testimonials
“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

"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 gzzzz this is out of the ballpark."

- Jae Ellard, Founder, Simple Intentions


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