Staying put for 25 years, particularly at a small company, is remarkable. And Shirlee Roberts-Downey has done it with style.

She was hired in 2000 as a designer, contributing to identity, print, packaging, web, and environmental design and production. Then in 2005, a promotion from senior designer to associate added art direction, scheduling, budgeting, more aspects of production, and strategic planning for clients.

All of that holds true, with some colorful asterisks. Because Shirlee only says no if something truly isn’t possible (even then she might not say no).

She is a big reason helveticka is known for deliberate, distinctive work, as well as the heart we put into everything. The people part. Without a doubt, Shirlee has helped maintain and strengthen relationships with our clients – some of which she’s worked with since her first day on the job.

She was 25 then. That gives away her age, but it also gives her an excuse for liking Bon Jovi.

From helveticka principal and creative director CK Anderson: “I’ve always felt that if there were a competition for production designers – a contest based on one’s knowledge of preparing files for reproduction, for every type of job imaginable, where accuracy and attention to details were measured, Shirlee would win hands down.”