master portfolio final

graduate portfolio of mary hill


Digging is a design instinct. On the wide-open

terrain of ideas, designers approach the desert

sifting through dusty surfaces and overturning

natural evidence. Visual culture is the surface of

expression graphic designers work in. We detect,

decipher and build strategies for unearthing our

cultural codes.

Mary Hill is unearthing design. An arts advocate

for the Goldwell Open Air Printmaking Guild she brings

fine art to the surface through good design. A long-time

resident of Nevada, she believes in the power of graphic

design to bring communities together. Find out more

at www.mhill-designs.com.








cultural codes.







cultural codes.

2/3

00 preface 3

01 from the ground up 7

02 on the ground laughing 15

03 painted desert surfaces 27

04 sticks and stones 35

05 earthy delights 45

06 ground signals 53

07 mfa thesis; get lost 59

title 2 leaves + a budcategory/course package design 2instructor/dates tom mcnulty fall 2011 typography trade gothic, capistrano 6/7

01overview A “good thing” in a small package. The directive for

this began with looking at various tea products with

brand inertia. An identity lacking in brand equity or

needing to evolve. I considered how tea is savored

in the great outdoors.

approachI selected an American tea company for this project

called “Two Leaves and A Bud.” I evolved what was

known—their tea blends go well with food—with what

was unknown. That is this tea transports well and is

suited for the cosmopolitan adventurer.


title 2 leaves + a bud 8/9


Wrapping a duotoned image around the shape creates

this smooth visual transition. Modern sans serif type helps

make a clean statement and engages the reader quickly.

course integrated communicationsinstructor/dates marc english 2010 typography chaparral, secret typewriter

overview Comic escape at the drive-in. Research film makers

and present a design brief for a film festival that

shows their work in some unique way. Design brand

experience and show how the identity works across

a complete line of promotional materials.

approachGet down to earth and have fun. Think about what the

Vegas customer would enjoy. A hilarious escape with

raunchy reality. Presenting the comedy of Kevin Smith.

title hard taste 14/15

02


title hard tastecourse integrated communicationsinstructor/dates marc english 2010 typography chaparral, secret typewriter 14/15

overview Comic escape at the drive-in. Research film makers

and present a design brief for a film festival that

shows their work in some unique way. Design brand

experience and show how the identity works across

a complete line of promotional materials.

approachGet down to earth and have fun. Think about what the

Vegas customer would enjoy. A hilarious escape with

raunchy reality. Presenting the comedy of Kevin Smith.

02


Kevin Patrick Smith was born and raised in a large family

from New Jersey. His parodies on smoking, cussing and

batman comics inspired an adult plush toy to hang on

the car dashboard. It is styled like a comic cigarette butt

with a batman mask. Fun swag designed to glow at night

and poke fun at the “crappy” habits of smokers.

it’s better to give and receive

hooray the crazy person is here

we can assure you . . . the drive in is open

The ticket palette is bright and sporty. It is derived from

the football jersey styling of Kevin Smith. The pouch

design is an invitation that holds the passes and more.

26/27category/course package design 2instructor/dates tom mcnulty fall 2011

typography horseface, akzidenz title arthouse paint

overview Home as deserts inspire. Uncover a famous designer,

architect or artist who has contributed high-profile

work that may be applied to line of home improvement

products. Craft a brand identity across labels and

execute them in functional formats.

approachMake your home a sanctuary from busy urban living.

Take the work of C. Rennie MacIntosh and design it

as a line of home improvement products. Promote the

popular Arts and Crafts movement thinking for new

living spaces.

03


category/course package design 2instructor/dates tom mcnulty fall 2011 typography horseface, akzidenz title arthouse paint 26/27

overview Home as deserts inspire. Uncover a famous designer,

architect or artist who has contributed high-profile

work that may be applied to line of home improvement

products. Craft a brand identity across labels and

execute them in functional formats.

approachMake your home a sanctuary from busy urban living.

Take the work of C. Rennie MacIntosh and design it

as a line of home improvement products. Promote the

popular Arts and Crafts movement thinking for new

living spaces.

03


title arthouse paint 14/15




The logo is treated as a monogram and uses the

typeface “Horseface” by Robert Wilson. It makes

a chic geometric impression for an upmarket paint.

typography fette fraktur, adobe garamondcourse elements of typographyinstructor/dates carolina de bartolo 2009

overview The drama of attack. Research “biting” as a survival

topic for a limited edition hard bound book. Use an

abstract concept related to the topic. Compile text

and design appropriate charts and corresponding

photography. Include all the elements of a good book,

including chapter openers, contents, headers, index

and colophon.

approachGo outside and look at desert survival. Turn over rocks

and look closely at patterns. Study textures, look at light

for movement. Unearth the drama of venomous desert

creatures and make it relate to fine typographic design.

title envenom 34/35

04


title envenomcourse elements of typographyinstructor/dates carolina de bartolo 2009 typography fette fraktur, adobe garamond 34/35

overview The drama of attack. Research “biting” as a survival

topic for a limited edition hard bound book. Use an

abstract concept related to the topic. Compile text

and design appropriate charts and corresponding

photography. Include all the elements of a good book,

including chapter openers, contents, headers, index

and colophon.

approachGo outside and look at desert survival. Turn over rocks

and look closely at patterns. Study textures, look at light

for movement. Unearth the drama of venomous desert

creatures and make it relate to fine typographic design.

04


title envenom 36/37


title envenom 38/39


Visual information includes several technical illustrations,

diagrams and maps of the Mojave desert. Together they

tell the story of using venom to survive the Mojave desert.

title envenom 40/41


title envenom 42/43


title artisan olive oilcategory/course package design 2instructor/dates tom mcnulty fall 2011 typography wausau, akzidenz 44/45

overview Healthy holiday giving. Refresh the identity of any

olive oil company or producer. Design the labels and

packaging of a three part olive oil set and companion

product as a holiday gift collection.

approachFind unique hand-made and locally processed olive

oil ranches. Highlight the main sources of the fruit;

the earthbound olive trees.

05


title artisan olive oil 46/47


Typographic texture on both sides supports the look and

feel of a rustic local brand of a hand-crafted olive oil set.

typography akzidenz, handwritten title beep magazine 52/53

overview Learning is fun. Design a magazine; create covers,

opening spreads and feature stories. Design an

appropriate pace and include a contents page and

any regular columns.

approachLook at kids magazines and start to relate this and all

projects going forward to thesis work. This magazine

hooks kids with gps games. That is how to play and

participate in a global hunt for treasure.

06


title beep magazinecategory/course publication designinstructor/dates lian ng spring 2010 typography akzidenz, handwritten 52/53

overview Learning is fun. Design a magazine; create covers,

opening spreads and feature stories. Design an

appropriate pace and include a contents page and

any regular columns.

approachLook at kids magazines and start to relate this and all

projects going forward to thesis work. This magazine

hooks kids with gps games. That is how to play and

participate in a global hunt for treasure.

06


This magazine is inspired by the beginning phase

of thesis development. A way to reach kids is with

a game for them to play. This “zine” is designed to

teach navigation skills and encourage kids to have

fun by getting outside.

title beep magazine 54/55


title beep magazine 56/57


title get lost; graphic design thesiscategory/course directed studydates dec 2010-2012 typography akzidenz 58/59

overview This is a book within a book. The thesis deliverables

are presented on a timeline with images that tell the

story of a bookcaching event. approachPresent a visual timeline with gallery imagery from

an exhibit, a series of book jacket designs and all of

the pieces that communicate this. A system designed

to connect youth to books and writing with a game

of exploration.

07


title get lost; graphic design thesiscategory/course directed studydates dec 2010-2012 typography akzidenz 58/59

07


overview This is a book within a book. The thesis deliverables

are presented on a timeline with images that tell the

story of a bookcaching event. approachPresent a visual timeline with gallery imagery from

an exhibit, a series of book jacket designs and all of

the pieces that communicate this. A system designed

to connect youth to books and writing with a game

of exploration.

2009 >

> 2010

> 2010

project timeline

maymidpoint idea > Increase literacy in teens.

janconsult with librarians > Select fiction for anime posters.

maybook jacket as game > Design a board book for bookcaching.

maywork with local educators > Promote bookcaching in groups.

jun midpoint presentation > Track teens to find out more.

2012sepbooks as timeline > Mini-books detail design process.

novbooks that move kids to authors > Design covers that inspire writing.

sepgroup directed study > Branding begins.

sepopen gallery event > Hang posters and signage.

decclose bookcaching > Gather evidence.

augdesign gallery event > Work with teens.

“Connecting kids to libraries

with the language of location.”

title mfa thesis; get lost 60/61


The brand experience for this project begins with a logo

that uses bold modern type. The “s” character is replaced

with bright opposing arrows moving both ways. As the

arrows suggest, there is more than one path to follow to

get what you want or need — especially at the library.

62/63title mfa thesis; get lost




Bookcaches opened up showing the anime

posters of the fictional book characters.

man gallery location

informational graphics

young people photos

book quote posters

promotional banners

foot traffic

character posters

artwork legend

main entrance

grotto

library collections area

man gallery location

informational graphics

young people photos

book quote posters

promotional banners

foot traffic

character posters

artwork legend

main entrance

grotto

library collections area

This is an overview of the Sahara West Library. It is

designed at an angle to the main road, Sahara West

Avenue. The modern architecture features dramatic

angles, high arching ceilings, and curving hallways.

sahara west avenue

north

library drive



Display size anime posters of the fictional book

characters with geocodes of their location.

These information graphics show critical items used in

navigation; the map and compass. The map is drawn to

scale and designed to compare (using geocodes) the

location of all the district libraries to the wilderness areas

in southern Nevada.

When the exhibit closed, I began to distill the experience

in order to design a system of book jackets that are part

of the deliverables for this project. The primary function

is to direct the reader to discover more about high-profile

authors. The objective is to encourage good writing.

M.T. Anderson is a contemporary

American author of young adult

fiction. His historical stories are

woven with facts and imaginary

characters in time. This book is a

fascinating story of a young black

slave set against the backdrop of

the American revolution. Anderson

details tragic human crimes while

a young country and a young man

struggle to find identity and know

the value of freedom.

M. T. Anderson lives and works

in Boston, Massachusetts. But

you can track his works by using

gps. Use the geocodes along with

the map to locate your libraries,

discover gps games like library

bookcaching and more about real

revolt in las vegas and around the

whole world.

get lo

st w

ith m

.t.anderso

n

stories of revolt

n36° 16.9573', w115° 15.7748'

n36° 12.0609', w115° 18.0923'

n36° 13.0354', w115° 15.5539'

n36° 10.7014', w115° 3.2859'

Find creative inspiration and study

apps at www.mhill-designs.com.

co

de sn

atc

h

map of gps coordinateswith bookcache treasurein the las vegas area

north

with m.t. anderson

Charles Dickens is best remembered

for his books about real life conditions

in the work place and home. He wrote

short works of fiction and many novels

during the 1800s. His stories reach

all around the world with rebellion and

social reform. Follow this story about

an orphaned boy who makes his way in

the poverty and crime filled streets of

London during the industrial revolution.

Charles Dickens lived and worked in

London, during the 1800s. But you

can track his works by using gps. Use

the geocodes along with the map to

locate your libraries, discover gps

games like library bookcaching and

more about what it feels like to be a

hold out in a confused world.

get lo

st with

charle

s dicke

ns

with charles dickens

stories of survival

n36° 16.9573', w115° 15.7748'

n36° 10.7014', w115° 3.2859'

n36° 12.0609', w115° 18.0923'

n36° 13.0354', w115° 15.5539'



co

de sn

atc

h


north

86/87

Roland Smith started to write about

rescue adventures while working

on animal rescue efforts during the

Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1990. He is

a professional zookeeper who has

a penchant for outdoor adventure. In

this book, Smith captures the trek of

Peak, a young teen about to take on

the epic challenges of Mt. Everest.

Roland Smith lives and works in the

northwest United States. But you can

track his works by using gps. Use the

geocodes along with the map to locate

your libraries, discover gps games like

bookcaching and more about real risk

in las vegas and around the world.

get lo

st with roland sm

ith

with roland smith

stories of risk

n36° 16.9573', w115° 15.7748'

n36° 10.7014', w115° 3.2859'

n36° 12.0609', w115° 18.0923'

n36° 13.0354', w115° 15.5539'



cod

e sn

atch


north

title mfa thesis; get lost

The works of J.D. Salinger reflect his

own inner angst of growing up in urban

America. He uses his own experiences

to create a memorable story about the

importance of loyalty, the phoniness of

adulthood and the myriad of struggles

we all must face.

J. D. Salinger was an American writer

from New York City during the 1950s.

But you can track his works by using

gps. Use the geocodes along with the

map to locate your libraries, discover

gps games like library bookcaching

and more about what it feels like to

be a hold out in a confused world.

get lost w

ith j.d. salinger

n36° 16.9573', w115° 15.7748'

n36° 10.7014', w115° 3.2859'

n36° 12.0609', w115° 18.0923'

n36° 13.0354', w115° 15.5539'



code sn

atch


north

with j.d. salinger

stories of angst


88/89

conclusionBe more mutable. Make design a public experience

that is flexible, adaptable and able to bring meaningful

cultural expressions to the surface.

title mfa thesis; get lost


graphic design portfolio m. hill, mfa candidate, 2012

book typography berthold akzidenz/perpetua

photography/illustrations/event staging m. hill

book printing/production blurb.com with slipcase by m. hill

copyright © m. hill 2012, las vegas, nevada

published by m. hill for master portfolio class spring 2012

instructor jeremy stout, graphic designer, assistant director aau

academy of art university, san francisco, california

contact mary hill, graphic designer

home studio 7509 wheat grass ct., las vegas, nv, 89129

phone 702.236.8264 email [email protected]

online www.mhill-designs.com

thank you everyone at aau for sharing your graphic design expertise

master portfolio final

Documents

tea transports

good design

design instinct

american tea company

various tea products

knowntheir tea blends

power of graphic design

desert sifting