Biography
Mary E. Atkinson was born in Fort Worth, TX at the tail end of 1999. Based in the Dallas Fort Worth area, Atkinson is a Graphic Designer interested in bookmaking and publishing. She received her Associate of Arts Degree from Weatherford Community College in 2020. Atkinson has been studying at the Division of Visual Arts at Texas Woman’s University. She graduated from TWU with a Bachelor of Art with a concentration in Graphic design in May 2024
Her different bodies of work often explore themes relating to herself, found objects or places, and the macabre through design and art. Her commercial work is tailored to fit whatever clients need, with an extra personal touch to elevate the designs beyond ordinary to extraordinary.
Her different bodies of work often explore themes relating to herself, found objects or places, and the macabre through design and art. Her commercial work is tailored to fit whatever clients need, with an extra personal touch to elevate the designs beyond ordinary to extraordinary.
Artist/Design Statement
I am an artist, or creative, with a love for graphic design, and the broad freedom this medium allows me to express ideas visually. There’s branding, web, typography, advertisement, motion graphics, environmental, user experience, and so much more! I especially love how design can be utilized and tweaked to fit any genre imaginable. Most of my projects are in the form of my current obsession: publication and print design, a format that allows my creations to burst into the physical realm.
I’ve found that I enjoy creating work that either adds to a story or tells one all its own. Whether that can be a tale of monsters within a horror story or a cute cat knocking around objects it probably shouldn’t be. As I have grown into adulthood, I’ve often felt the world has become too plain and boring. Just because everything has gotten a little older doesn’t mean it has to lose its whimsical charm, does it? A book is all the better if it has an eye-catching cover and enthralling imagery within, right? I want to see more of that within the world, so I try to add that myself with my projects.
My design process can vary widely. Often, I have a clear idea of what to make and follow through from start to finish. Other times I have to research examples and brainstorm my way into a plan. Then there are the instances where I just start making and it all comes together intuitively. The one constant in all of this is that I am making something, I am manifesting something out of an idea and putting it out into the world. I believe that finding joy in what you do is an important part of life.
I’ve found that I enjoy creating work that either adds to a story or tells one all its own. Whether that can be a tale of monsters within a horror story or a cute cat knocking around objects it probably shouldn’t be. As I have grown into adulthood, I’ve often felt the world has become too plain and boring. Just because everything has gotten a little older doesn’t mean it has to lose its whimsical charm, does it? A book is all the better if it has an eye-catching cover and enthralling imagery within, right? I want to see more of that within the world, so I try to add that myself with my projects.
My design process can vary widely. Often, I have a clear idea of what to make and follow through from start to finish. Other times I have to research examples and brainstorm my way into a plan. Then there are the instances where I just start making and it all comes together intuitively. The one constant in all of this is that I am making something, I am manifesting something out of an idea and putting it out into the world. I believe that finding joy in what you do is an important part of life.
CV
Experience
2024 - Now
Freelance Graphic Designer — Worked with clients for business cards, logos, flyers, signage, and websites.
2024 - Now
St. Peter Lutheran Church Graphic Designer — Created bulletin inserts, banners, posters, newsletters, logos, directory, and website designs.
2023
TLT - Tomorrow's Leaders Today Inc, Graphic Design Intern — Created advertisements, logos, and general graphics for use as a resource.
2023
Exhibition Merchandise Designer — Collaborated with a small team to design trading cards featuring TWU's Forgotten Nine for The Greater Denton Arts Center (GDAC).
2022
TWU 2022 Art Day Designer -- Collaborated with a small team to create TWU's 2022 Art Day Style Guide and official website layout.
Education
2024
Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in Graphic Design, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX
- Minor in Photography
- Minor in Marketing
2020
Associate of Arts (2020), Weatherford College, Bridgeport, TX