Chippewa Valley Times

A project by St. Paul-based graphic designer Melanie Graves has gained international recognition. Her typography design, titled "Create," is featured in the second edition of "Mastering Type: The Essential Guide to Typography for Print and Digital Design." This textbook serves as a guide for designers worldwide.

"'Create' is a digital illustration that celebrates creativity in all forms," said Graves, who is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in design at UW-Stout and works as a senior graphic designer at Explore Minnesota.

The selection process was competitive, with over 2,000 submissions from designers globally. Graves' work was among the 272 pieces chosen, representing artists from 36 countries. She expressed her excitement about being selected despite not expecting it due to the competition's high level.

Denise Bosler, a design professor at Kutztown University and the book's author, praised the quality of submissions. "So many great typographic design works were submitted during the open call that it made the decision-making process challenging," Bosler noted. She highlighted Graves' work as fitting perfectly within the Word chapter due to its playful and expressive nature.

Graves created "Create" as part of an illustrated typography exercise led by Program Director Erik Evensen at UW-Stout. The assignment involved designing a mural proposal for a space on campus that included representations from various art programs.

"My background is in graphic design, so I love typography and how type can be very expressive depending on how it is used," said Graves. Her design features bold letters with unique textures against a blue background filled with icons representing different arts disciplines.

Despite her proposal not being selected for the final mural installation at UW-Stout's Applied Arts Building, "Create" was displayed in Minneapolis during the 2023 Art on Hennepin Avenue festival. Evensen commended Graves for her skill and contribution to Professor Bosler’s book alongside other top students and faculty nationwide.

Graves holds a bachelor's degree in graphic design from UW-Eau Claire and has nearly ten years of industry experience. Seeking to improve her skills in user experience and interface design, she joined UW-Stout’s M.F.A program while continuing her full-time job.

"The program has helped me focus more on my career as an artist and designer outside of my day job by helping me learn new skills and connect more with my community," she stated.

Graves continues to engage with local art initiatives, including her "Dream Big" mural along Eau Claire’s Color Block program trail and exhibiting photography at venues like the Minnesota Zoo. Designers interested in using "Create" can reach out through her portfolio site.

UW-Stout's School of Art and Design offers extensive programs across various creative fields, making it Wisconsin's largest public art school.