Cade Thurlby
About Cade Thurlby
Cade Thurlby is a Senior Communications Designer at Aurora Solar in the San Francisco Bay Area, with over a decade of experience in design leadership roles and a strong focus on sustainability and renewable energy.
Professional Experience
Cade Thurlby currently works as a Senior Communications Designer at Aurora Solar in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to this, he held the position of Senior Brand Designer at Cruise from 2017 to 2020. From 2015 to 2017, Cade operated as a Senior Art Director at Common Giant in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Before that, he was a Graphic Design Manager at Tyson Foods in Chicago from 2014 to 2015, and served as a Creative Services Analyst at Hillshire Brands for two months in 2014. His earlier career includes roles as a Designer at Akimbo between 2012 and 2014, and a Junior Art Director at The Marketing Store from 2011 to 2012. Additionally, Cade worked as a Freelance Designer at Akimbo for six months in 2010-2011, and gained initial industry experience as a Design Intern at Anthem Worldwide from 2009 to 2010.
Education and Expertise
Cade Thurlby earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Graphic Design from Columbia College Chicago, studying from 2007 to 2011. He later graduated from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, further solidifying his academic foundation in business and technology. With over ten years of experience in design leadership roles, Cade specializes in leading multidisciplinary teams to boost product quality. His focus lies in human-centered design and pragmatic design solutions, while also designing workstreams that leverage the unique talents of his team members.
Background in Renewable Energy
Cade Thurlby co-founded Aurora Solar in 2013 and has been an active participant in the solar industry for over a decade. His contributions include developing AI-powered solar design tools and overseeing the company's growth to over 500 employees. Under his leadership, Aurora Solar has secured significant funding, including a $200 million Series D round. Cade's commitment to sustainability and renewable energy is reflected in his efforts to create partnerships and collaborations within the industry.
Career in Communication Design
With a career rooted in communication design, Cade Thurlby has amassed extensive experience across various high-profile companies. Starting as a Design Intern and moving through roles such as Freelance Designer, Junior Art Director, Senior Art Director, and Senior Brand Designer, Cade's trajectory showcases his ability to adapt and excel in diverse design environments. His current role as Senior Communications Designer at Aurora Solar underscores his ability to strategically lead and innovate in the field.