Meet Audri Young-Kelly
For Audri Young Kelly, known to most as Devin, creativity has always been a way of making sense of the world.
Long before she became a graphic designer, she was constantly creating. Drawing, writing, designing, and experimenting with anything that allowed her to express herself beyond words. Art was never just a hobby. It was a language.
“I loved creating and making art from a young age,” she says. “It was rare that I wasn’t drawing, designing, writing, anything that could allow me to express myself in ways that wasn’t just saying, ‘This is how I feel.'”
While she always knew creativity was an important part of her life, graphic design did not become a serious possibility until her senior year of high school. At the time, she was considering a future in social work. Then an art teacher offered a perspective that changed everything.
“She told me I did not want to become a social worker and should pursue art instead,” Devin recalls with a laugh. “She pushed me to do what I wanted, not what I thought was expected of me.”
That encouragement set her on a new path, one that eventually led her to Augusta University, where she recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree concentrating in graphic design.
For Devin, graphic design offers something unique. It satisfies both sides of her personality at once.
“Graphic design functions not only as an expressive art form, but also as a bridge between my flowy, carefree side and my logical, analytical side. It gives me the best of both worlds.”
Growing up in Augusta also played a major role in shaping her creative outlook. Surrounded by people who valued community and the arts, she found inspiration not only in local artists but also in everyday experiences and the people around her.
Much of her work draws from alternative culture and music. Grunge, punk, metal, local bands, and even the occasional pop song find their way into her creative process. In many cases, the soundtrack playing in the background becomes part of the design itself.
“A lot of my designs come from what I’m listening to while I make them,” she says.
Still, working as a designer requires balancing personal inspiration with the needs of clients and audiences. When approaching a project, Devin focuses on understanding not just who hired her, but who will ultimately engage with the work.
Research is an important part of her process, as is embracing failure early.
“I fail quickly with designs,” she says. “There have been multiple times I got frustrated or thought a piece looked wonderful. Spoiler alert, it did not.”
Learning to step away from a project has become one of her most valuable creative tools. Returning with fresh eyes helps her better understand both the work itself and the purpose behind it.
Learning to step away from a project has become one of her most valuable creative tools. Returning with fresh eyes helps her better understand both the work itself and the purpose behind it.
At the heart of everything she creates is a desire to connect.
“There is such a huge world out there, yet it is so easy to feel alone,” she says. “I like to think that art of all mediums can bridge that gap.”
Whether she is creating personal work or designing for a client, her goal remains the same: to communicate something that may be difficult to say out loud.
“I want my art to speak in a way that fills in what is physically hard to say. A visual communication, if you will.”
Being named the Emerging Youth Featured Artist for June is a meaningful milestone, especially for someone who once questioned whether a career in the arts was even possible.
“Up until my later years, and I am obviously very old and wise now at 22, I never thought art as a career was possible,” she jokes.
Beyond the recognition itself, Devin sees the honor as a reminder of the value of community and support.
“Having a community that looks out for you, genuinely wants the best for you, and is willing to reach out and say, ‘Hey, we see you,’ that is amazing.”
Her message to aspiring artists is simple: keep going.
“There will be plenty of no’s. Plenty of people who want you to take more traditional routes. Just know that every no is a step toward a yes.”
As for what’s next, Devin dreams of collaborating with fellow artist and friend Bryson Kelly on a creative company focused on visual identities for bands, record labels, album releases, and merchandise. It is a fitting goal for an artist whose work is deeply rooted in music, connection, and self expression.
If she had to describe her art in just three words, the answer comes quickly: alternative, fun, and bright.
And if her journey so far is any indication, those same words describe the future she is creating for herself.
