Bio/Contact

Here, you can write a brief introduction to your page. This engages your visitors and answers questions they may have about you.

I solve problems through design

Hi! I’m Melissa, and this is a little bit about my 10 years of graphic design and photography experience:

Starting my career I worked for two newspapers, the Washburn Review and the Osage County Herald-Chronicle. I also had an internship at the Topeka Metro for a short period of time designing advertisements, as well as designing promotional products for the company Bright Ideas! Promotional Products Galore. I was also a Graphic Artist at Sky City Casino and Hotel. Currently I am employed with Times Media Group, working remotely as a graphic designer on papers such as weekly newspapers The Peoria Times, Scottsdale Progress, Gilbert Sun News and the monthly magazine Arroyo Monthly.

I’ve bounced from a few places so far in my 28 years of life. Born and raised for 22 years in Topeka, Kansas, I moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico the fall of 2018. Now as of the summer of 2021, I’m happily living in New Orleans, Louisiana, taking life one step at a time.

Currently I am designing for clients with my personal business, Whirlwind Design, as well as my other business: Whirlwind Photography (you can see my work here.)

I look forward to making something with you in the near future!

Say Hey

whirlwinddesign@outlook.com

Also find me on social media:

Some selected accolades

2013 Achievements

OSHA 10

2014 Achievements

Graphic Design Internship at Topeka Metro

National Technical Honor Society

Graduated Washburn Institute of Technology

Became an Adobe Certified Associate for Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign

2015 Achievements

Head of Graphic Design for the Washburn Review Newspaper at Washburn University

2016 Achievements

Graduated from Washburn University with an Associates degree in Graphic Design

Finished as Head of Graphic Design for the Washburn Review Newspaper at Washburn University

2017 Achievements

Head of Graphic Design at the Osage County Herald-Chronicle

3rd Place in Ad Design for the Kansas Collegiate of Journalism’s Annual Awards of Excellence

2018 Achievements

2nd & 3rd Place Ad Design Kansas Press Association Awards of Excellence.

Finished as Head of Graphic Design at the Osage County Herald-Chronicle

2019 Achievements

Finished as Head of Graphic Design at Bright Ideas Promotional Products

8 Awards for the Kansas Press Association Awards of Excellence:

First Place in 3rd Division Design and Layout
First Place in all divisions Best Online Motion Ad
Second and Third Place in 3rd Division Special Section Advertising
Third Place in 2nd and 3rd Division Most Adaptable Promotion Advertising
Third Place in 2nd and 3rd Division Best Professional Service Ad
Second Place in 2nd and 3rd Division Best Specialty Ad
Third Place in 2nd and 3rd Division Best Political Ad