COMMUNITY SESSIONS
SHAYLA HUFANA
Artist, Designer & Creative Director at ConceptShell Art & Design Studio & ConceptShell Foundation
SHAYLA PASCUA HUFANA
she /her
FAMILY ORIGIN
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Graphic Design, Art Institute of Seattle
Associate of Arts (AA), General Studies / Business, Seattle Central College
Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, & Pangasinan, Philippines.
ACCOLAdES, HONORS AND AWARDS
Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) “People to Watch” Design Leader — 2023
Webby Awards Honoree
Platinum & Gold Hermes Creative Awards recipient
Anthem Awards recipient
GDUSA Award recipient
Communications Awards recipient
Selected as the official 2026 Seattle FIFA World Cup Pride Pin Designer
Finalist for the 2026 Seattle FIFA World Cup Pride Poster
2024–25 Seattle Kraken Lunar New Year Jersey Designer
2026 Seattle Sounders FC Filipino Heritage Night Scarf Designer
2026 Seattle Sounders FC Member Alliance Scarf Designer
Featured Seattle Storm Utility Box Artist — 2022
Seattle Sounders FC & RAVE Foundation “I AM SEATTLE” Self-Portraits Artist — 2023
LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY IMPACT
Founder & Executive Director of ConceptShell Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on uplifting youth and young adults through art, design, creativity, and wellness
Former Senior Art Director & Manager at Cognizant
Former Senior Designer & Art Director at Boeing
Former Co-Chair of SEGD Seattle & Advisor
on the Racial Justice Commission
Guest speaker and mentor for design students, employee resource groups, and community organizations including Seattle University and BECU ANHPI
Passionate advocate for community storytelling, cultural representation, and uplifting underrepresented voices
NOTABLE CLIENTS AND COLLABORATIONS
City of Seattle
Seattle Kraken
Seattle Storm
Seattle Sounders FC
Culture Generation
Nordstrom
Whole Foods
Seattle Mariners
Boeing
Cognizant
AT&T
McDonald’s
SF 49ers
A Conversation on Culture & Pride with Shayla Pascua Hufana
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride to me means using what I have to uplift others and make a positive impact. I try to do that through my creativity, my voice, and my work. It’s rooted in love and community. It’s not about ego. It’s about being part of something bigger, bringing people together, helping them feel seen, and leaving things better than I found them.
What role has the LGBTQ+ community played in your life?
I used to be afraid to share that part of myself. But as I’ve gotten older, and now as a mother, I feel more empowered than ever to just be myself. I’ve learned to embrace that who I am is just as special as anyone else. Leaning into being a queer person and asking for support from the LGBTQ+ community has shown me how important it is to be real, support each other, and create spaces where people feel valued. That’s something I carry into both my life and my work.
What brings you pride and joy?
What’s been bringing me the most pride and joy lately is being able to help others through art and design, and spending quality time with my family—especially my parents, my wife, and our kids. I’ve also come to really appreciate the quieter moments, like drawing, relaxing, and just enjoying the silence. And anytime I’m outside or traveling, being in the sunshine, taking in the scenery, or being near the ocean is where I feel most at peace
What role does your cultural background play in your life?
My cultural background plays a huge role in my life and in the work I create. Being Filipino is something I carry with me in everything I do. A lot of my art is inspired by my culture, and sometimes I even include hidden icons or subtle references to it in my work. It’s my way of staying connected to where I come from and honoring the people and stories that shaped me.
As I’ve gotten older, especially now as a mother, I’ve realized how important it is to stay connected to our roots and pass that on to future generations. Filipino culture is rooted in love, resilience, creativity, and community, and those values really influence how I live, how I create, and how I show up for others. It will always be a part of me and a part of the work I put into the world.
