Hi I’m Manda!

I’m a Product Designer who thrives on creating beautiful, functional products and working alongside brilliant teams. Whether flying solo or collaborating in fast-paced environments, I’m always expanding my skills and pushing my creative boundaries.

About Me

I’ve been designing for the web since my teenage years, when I first discovered the magic of the internet. During college, I worked at a high-volume print shop, learning all about the print industry and how I fit into it as a designer. Graduating cum laude from Texas State University opened the door to some incredible opportunities.

Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats: working solo on projects, collaborating with fast-paced, multidisciplinary teams, and even leading a design department, where I hired and managed junior designers, interns, and photographers.

After a few years of freelancing and contracting, I realized I was missing that sense of community. It turns out, I thrive on collaborating with brilliant minds to create beautiful, useful products, while constantly growing as a designer. Who knew?!

I am a firm believer that everything is figureoutable, whether it’s a deep-dive on Google or an online course. And when I’m not enjoying one of those favorite things below, I’m probably dreaming up some more cute items for my shop!

My Favorite Things

  Music
  Cartoons
  Toys
  Kawaii Junk
  Enamel Pins
  Cozy Gaming
  Rollerskating
  Singing
  Drumming
  Drawing
  Topic: Cults
  Organizing

Longtime Passion

Product Design

Designing for web, mobile, and beyond!

🚧 Pardon our mess! 🚧
Some content is still being added in.

Fight Paperwork - Web App for Medical Professionals
Fight Paperwork

Web App for Medical Professionals

Fight Paperwork - Web App for Medical Professionals


Fight Paperwork - Web App for Medical Professionals

🚧 More info coming soon! 🚧

Really Good Stuff - Phonics Learning Software Demo
Really Good Stuff

Phonics Learning Software Demo

Really Good Stuff - Phonics Learning Software Demo



🚧 More info coming soon! 🚧



🚧 More info coming soon! 🚧

Discount School Supply - iOS App
Discount School Supply

iOS App

Discount School Supply - iOS App


DSS App DSS App - Getting Started DSS App - Home with Shortcuts DSS App - Account and Order History DSS App - Shop by Browsing, Searching, or Scanning DSS App - Robust PDPs DSS App - PDP - Description, Specs, Resources, Reviews DSS App - Cart DSS App - Checking Out DSS App - App Store Icon and Screens

🚧 More info coming soon! 🚧

Excelligence - Journey Maps
Excelligence

Journey Maps

Excelligence - Journey Maps


Excelligence - Journey Maps

🚧 More info coming soon! 🚧

Excelligence - User Research
Excelligence

User Research

Excelligence - User Research


Excelligence - User Research

🚧 More info coming soon! 🚧

Excelligence - Standards Matching Tool
Really Good Stuff

Standards Matching Tool

Really Good Stuff - Standards Matching Tool


Excelligence - Standards Matching Tool

🚧 More info coming soon! 🚧

SmarterKids - E-Commerce Quiz Prototype
SmarterKids

E-commerce Quiz Prototype

SmarterKids - E-Commerce Quiz Prototype



I designed a prototype in Figma for an e-commerce quiz aimed at helping parents, educators, and administrators discover STEM-focused toys tailored to children’s ages, grade levels, and interests. This interactive tool simplifies finding the perfect educational toys by matching user input to recommended products, supporting specific learning outcomes and fostering engagement through personalized suggestions.

Bitfusion GUI
Bitfusion Flex

GUI

Bitfusion Flex GUI


Bitfusion GUI animation

I collaborated closely with the Director of Product to design the GUI for Bitfusion Flex, an advanced virtual GPU management platform for AI and machine learning applications. Bitfusion Flex allows users to allocate GPU resources flexibly and optimize hardware usage, enabling efficient AI model training and deployment. My role involved creating a streamlined and intuitive interface to simplify complex workflows, helping users allocate and manage virtual GPUs with ease. This design enhances the overall user experience, providing powerful tools for data scientists and engineers in an accessible, visually organized layout.

Uberpong Website & Mobile Apps
Uberpong

Website & Mobile Apps

Uberpong Website & Mobile Apps


Uberpong Website and Customizer Feature Uberpong Custom App Uberpong App Store Assets Uberpong Table Finder App

For Uberpong, a stylish Austin startup blending ping pong with artist-designed paddles, I created the website and a custom mobile app. Users could customize paddles in the app, and I collaborated closely with the Creative Director to maintain the brand’s unique, creative flair.

The Table Finder mobile app allows ping pong enthusiasts to locate nearby tables, add new locations, and even challenge others for a game. It’s a convenient tool for players to connect and discover local playing spots.

Identity

Logo Design, Identity Work, and Social Media

Practice with Courtney - Identity Work
Practice with Courtney

Identity Work

Practice with Courtney



A comprehensive branding project for a yoga instructor in Austin, TX, including a logo, website, stickers, video graphics, and social media assets. The logo combines a third eye with a half-mandala that evokes a sunrise, reflecting mindfulness and new beginnings. The moody color palette mimics a dim, calming atmosphere with the warm glow of salt lamps.

I also illustrated Courtney to capture her commitment to growth, joy, and authenticity, turning the artwork into a sticker for her virtual students. To enhance her digital presence, I designed a YouTube thumbnail template and Instagram story highlight icons to ensure brand consistency across all platforms.

Gym Buddies - Logo Design
Gym Buddies

Web Series Branding
Bitfusion - Marketing Materials
Bitfusion

Marketing Materials

Bitfusion



After Bitfusion rebranded, I stepped in to create promotional materials, including business cards, t-shirts, stickers, signage, and infographics. Additionally, I designed a cute robot mascot named Michael, which was used to help explain machine learning concepts in a friendly way.

Ponos - Identity Work
Ponos

Identity Work

Ponos



Corporate identity for Ponos, an automated hydroponics system controllable via an app. The leaf-shaped logo design integrates a pentagon, symbolizing the enclosed space, with internal ticks representing plants growing on columns, inspired by the five-sided structure of the system's columns.

CMU - Dept. of Communication & Dramatic Arts - Social Media Imagery
CMU - Dept. of Communication & Dramatic Arts

Social Media Imagery

Central Michigan University
Dept. of Communication and Dramatic Arts



I created a series of social media graphics for the department, designed to keep students and alumni engaged throughout the year. The posts commemorate holidays, significant school events like the first day of class and finals week, and also foster school spirit on game days.

• Colors: Maroon & Gold
• Mascot: Chippewas or Chips
• Slogan: "Fire Up"

Hakone Toy Museum - Identity Work
Hakone Toy Museum

Identity Work

Hakone Toy Museum



The logo and marketing materials for Hakone Toy Museum, Japan's largest tin and celluloid toy collection, owned by Teruhisa Kitahara. The logo features two robots forming an "H" shape, symbolizing the playful spirit of the museum’s robot toys from the 1880s to 1950s.

(Also known as Hakone Kitahara Toys Museum or Toys Wonderland)

The logo was showcased at the 2009 DSVC National Student Show.

Just Be Toys - Identity Work
Just Be Toys

Identity Work

Just Be Toys



From 2002 to 2023, Portland's Chinatown was home to an iconic space owned by Katsu Tanaka that evolved through various phases. It began as Just Be Toys, a hub for Japanese designer toys, sneakers, tees, art books, and even Japanese DVD rentals. The space also featured an upstairs art studio, Compound Gallery, where art prints and contemporary works by Japanese and American artists were showcased.

Over time, Just Be Toys transformed into Just Be Complex, and later rebranded as COMPOUND, with a stronger focus on streetwear.

This logo concept is a tribute to the Just Be Toys era, circa 2005, combining a rubberhose-style "bee" character and dripping paint, with a retro font to capture the playful and artistic spirit of the store.

RIP to this beloved Portland spot!

Apple Restaurant and Bômbar - Identity Work
Apple Restaurant and Bômbar

Identity Work

Apple Restaurant and Bômbar



Apple Restaurant was a Vietnamese restaurant and karaoke bar in New York known for its martinis. Despite its unique offerings, the venue struggled on Yelp, which may have contributed to its eventual closure. This was my retroactive approach to elevate the restaurant's image with an upscale touch.

Drawing inspiration from the ancient Flower of Life pattern – a geometric motif found in various cultures, including Egyptian, Phoenician, Assyrian, Indian, Asian, Middle Eastern, and medieval art – I aimed to symbolize unity and interconnectedness. Within this pattern, I uncovered the shape of an apple and integrated it seamlessly as the logo's focal point, creating a sophisticated and meaningful emblem that honored both the restaurant's name and the universal symbolism behind the design.

Café Mogador - Identity Work
Café Mogador

Identity Work

Café Mogador




Café Mogador, a family-run Moroccan and Middle-Eastern restaurant in New York City's East Village, has been a beloved local spot since 1983. Drawing inspiration from the restaurant's namesake, the historic port city of Essaouira (formerly known as Mogador), I created a distinctive "M" logo design that echoes the iconic tunnels of the Essaouira citadel harbor. This design pays homage to the restaurant’s roots and its connection to the rich cultural heritage of Morocco.

Print

Producing print projects is my PAPER jam!

Cloud City Development - Swag
Cloud City Development

Swag

Cloud City Swag


This collaboration project began as a commission by artist Jake Ginsky. I adapted and expanded on his designs to create swag, including t-shirts, stickers, and client cards.

There are two layouts: "Open" and "Enclosed". I changed the color scheme, keeping the Open design to 2 colors while incorporating an extra red-orange hue for the Enclosed design. I also refined the cloud edges and meticulously simplified the cutouts of the tower to ensure the artwork translated well for print.

For the Enclosed Design, I thickened the border, made the font more modern, added stars, and then had it made into holographic stickers. After testing various shirt samples, I selected the ideal heather purple and charcoal colors to match my vision for the apparel. The Open Design was used for client follow-up cards.






Before: Original artwork by Jake Ginsky.
After: Final version after my collaboration.





I simplified the strokes and cutouts of the tower.



I finessed the edges of the clouds so they were more round, and didn't end abruptly.



And obviously the colors, border, and font.





The Cloud City SXSW crew, 2023 (minus Vicky). We proudly wore our shirts and slapped stickers all over town!
Fun fact: This was the first time I actually met my coworkers in real life.
RAD Office Tour - Marketing Materials
RAD Office Tour

Marketing Materials

RAD Office Tour Materials



RAD Office Tour is a one-day, self-guided tour in Austin that showcases the relationship between workspace design and company culture. As the Creative Director, I managed all web and print materials, designing signage, educational displays, and wayfinding solutions for the 11 participating offices.



Our VIP Opening Party the night before the tour was at Delta Millworks and featured an intriguing panel about the development of Springdale General.
Photos by Benjamin Porter



Each of the 11 offices on the Tour had a roadside sign, a vertical banner, flyer cards, wristbands, lanyards, and volunteer shirts – all of which were designed by me.
Photos by Benjamin Porter



In addition to the above, I designed educational signs for each office, which informed the office's company culture and showcased its interesting spacial features. Lastly, I designed the directional way-finding signs to guide tourists through a preferred path.
Photos by Benjamin Porter

Monster Brew - Packaging and Instructions
Monster Brew

Packaging and Instructions

Mini Monster Homebrew Kit







The Monster Brew one-gallon homebrew kit offers everything needed for brewing at home, including a glass fermenter, siphon, thermometer, grains, hops, and yeast. I redesigned the packaging to introduce a playful monster theme, ensuring it appealed to both seasoned brewers and beginners.

The kit was designed to accommodate various beer styles, such as Amber Ale, India Pale Ale, and Pilsner, with a consistent package design for all flavors. A corner-wrapped sticker allowed easy identification of the beer type, even when stored on its side. I managed the typesetting of the detailed instructions, crafted by our Brand Manager, and oversaw the entire print production process to ensure a polished final product.

Uberpong - Package Insert
Uberpong

Package Insert

Uberpong Package Insert



This flyer was included with every Uberpong ping pong paddle order, encouraging customers to share photos with their new paddles on social media. The vibrant design aimed to boost brand engagement and create a community-driven social campaign.

Egyptian Typeface - Type Specimen Book
Egyptian Typeface

Type Specimen Book

Egyptian Type Design Book





This type specimen catalog showcases the slab typeface Egyptian, styled to resemble an ephemera scrapbook. The book uses shades of brown and gold, featuring elements like a cereal box, library cards, and cigar labels to display the typeface's versatility in different contexts.

John Cage - Album Packaging
John Cage

Album Packaging

John Cage Album Packaging



Inspired by a vintage toy piano, this album packaging for a John Cage compilation reflects a playful yet minimalist aesthetic. I handled all photography for the project, capturing the essence of Cage's avant-garde music.

Illustration

In addition to client work, I run an online shop for prints, pins, and patches.

SIGNY - Poster
SIGNY

Poster

SIGNY


SIGNY - Poster

Inspired by electro-pop duo SIGNY’s debut show in Austin, this vector illustration captures their witchy vibe. The portrait style is reminiscent of 60's sitcom intros like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, blending nostalgia and magic.

Kawaii Camera - Merchandise
Kawaii Camera

Merchandise

Kawaii Camera


Kawaii Camera Thumbnail

This illustration started as a pencil sketch, which I then inked, scanned, and vectorized. I added kawaii elements to give it a playful touch, transforming it into an adorable patch now sold in my shop. The process allowed me to blend traditional and digital techniques, which is something I always enjoy, as it brings a unique, handcrafted quality to the final product. The patch has become a favorite among customers, who love its nostalgic and whimsical design.

Kawaii Deer - Enamel Pin
Kawaii Deer

Enamel Pin

Kawaii Deer Enamel Pin


Kawaii Deer Thumbnail Kawaii Deer Sketches

I illustrated this adorable deer and had it produced as enamel pins for my shop. The design captures the charm of kawaii style, translating it into a wearable art piece that adds a touch of whimsy to any collection.

Succulent Surface Design - Dishware
Succulent Surface Design

Dishware

Succulent Surface Design


Succulent Dishware

This surface design for dinnerware draws inspiration from the 1992 film Fern Gully, featuring succulent motifs in textured silhouettes and simple strokes. The pieces evoke a dark, UV-lit atmosphere, blending nature with a touch of mystique for a unique dining experience.

Pyrex Themed Fabric Design - Kitchen Products
Pyrex Themed Fabric Design

Kitchen Products

Pyrex Themed Fabric Design



This surface design for kitchen fabrics draws inspiration from vintage Pyrex dish patterns. The apron features Pyrex dishes and fruit, the oven mitt is adorned with daisies, and the dishtowel showcases pineapples. Each design brings a touch of retro charm to functional kitchen products.

The Fox & The Crow - Children's Book Cover
The Fox & The Crow

Children's Book Cover

The Fox & The Crow Children's Book Cover



This children's book cover for "The Fox and the Crow" from Aesop's Fables features a misty, slightly spooky forest background. Creating a cartoon fox in an anthropomorphic pose was a fun challenge, adding character and life to this classic story.

Turntable.fm Tribute - Gouache Painting
Turntable.fm Tribute

Gouache Painting

Turntable.fm Tribute Painting



An 8x10 gouache painting tribute to Orange Bear Party Indie (OBPI), a popular room on Turntable.FM, a real-time music-listening community. The room’s theme revolved around using the same orange bear avatar, creating a unique and beloved experience for the music enthusiasts who joined.

Blob Series - Acrylic Paintings
Blob Series

Acrylic Paintings

Blob Series



The Blob Series features character explorations using acrylics on two 18x24 canvases and a 16x20 wood panel. The goal was to bring imaginative figures to life, resulting in a collection of unique and expressive artworks.

Meghan Tonjes - Digital Portrait
Meghan Tonjes

Digital Portrait

Meghan Tonjes Portrait



This digital portrait depicts one of my favorite YouTubers, Meghan Tonjes, who shares music and motivational content. The artwork was created using a Wacom tablet in Photoshop, before I upgraded to an iPad with Procreate.

Step into my office.

What can I do for you?

Got an idea brewing? A project you’re excited about? Or maybe you just want to say hey! Whatever’s on your mind, I’d love to hear it. Drop me a line, and let’s fan that spark into a flame!

Aw, you guys!