Alexandra Ali Bey
Alexandra “Ali” Bey is a Senior Graphic Designer and Creative Director with a unique ability to blend agency speed, in-house polish, and indie edge. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts, Ali has built a career creating impactful visual identities, packaging, and apparel designs that resonate with both brands and audiences. Her creative approach combines meticulous attention to detail with a flair for storytelling, turning ideas into memorable experiences.
Ali is the co-founder and Creative Director of Merchly, a bicoastal family-run venture dedicated to helping clients bring their merchandise dreams to life. She has led projects spanning apparel, print, and brand campaigns, collaborating with clients of all sizes to deliver designs that are both innovative and functional. Previously, Ali honed her skills in production and design management at organizations such as MALKA, chicka-d, and UG Apparel, overseeing artwork for over 80 universities and ensuring consistent quality across all projects.
Passionate about fostering creativity and sharing her expertise, Ali continues to push boundaries in the design world. Her work has been recognized for its strategic approach and aesthetic excellence, with projects ranging from brand posters to trade show displays still in use years after their creation. Whether leading a team, mentoring young designers, or designing custom apparel, Ali’s dedication to creativity, collaboration, and quality remains at the heart of everything she does.
• School of Visual Arts
• Volunteer at Blue Rock Recording Studio
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to over a decade in fashion and graphic design, which led me to co-found Merchly.com with my brother. My time at the School of Visual Arts gave me hands-on skills in silkscreening, embroidery, and 3D design, which prepared me to run a business that balances creativity, quality, and service. A key part of our success has been personalized customer service, sustainable local production, and turning ideas into experiences like the Sleepy Hollow Music Festival.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I’d advise young women entering the industry to follow their creative instincts, but pair them with practical skills—creativity alone isn’t enough; understanding production, customer service, and logistics is key. Always personalize everything: whether working with clients or growing a team, the human touch makes a lasting impact. And finally, embrace accidental opportunities—some of the best success stories, like Merchly starting as a side project printing t-shirts for local bands, come from unexpected directions. Be willing to pivot and take calculated risks.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is balancing environmental responsibility with business demands. Keeping production local supports sustainability, but it can be more expensive and logistically complex than outsourcing. Another challenge is scaling without losing the personal touch—growing from local bands to national clients means constantly working to maintain high-quality, personalized service. Additionally, merging multiple ventures into one cohesive brand required patience and careful planning. At the same time, there’s a huge opportunity in gaining visibility, especially as our niche continues to grow and more people seek custom, thoughtful merchandise solutions.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are growth, creativity, and care. I focus on expanding our custom merchandise offerings while staying true to our roots in personalized service. Supporting local vendors, building meaningful client experiences, and creating thoughtful, sustainable designs are top priorities. For me, it’s all about combining creativity with care—for both people and the planet.