I specialize in branding, packaging and print. My goal is to make sure your business objectives are presented in the most effective and visually compelling way possible.
Hello! My name is Melissa Payne and I head the design studio Studio 176. I graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2007, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. Immediately after graduation, I landed an internship with the international branding agency Interbrand. Following a successful internship, I was immediately hired and relocated to work in their Amsterdam office. From there, I spent the next 5 years honing and expanding my design knowledge. During my residency in Europe, I was given the privilege to work in several of their international offices including Cologne, Madrid, New York, and London. In 2012 I moved back to California and began working for the Clorox Company, primarily as a packaging designer but also working on various branding, print, and presentation projects. Love brought me to the east coast in 2015, and it is here in the picturesque town of Williamsburg, Virginia that I currently work and reside. Part of my days are spent working with the brilliant in-house design team at William & Mary University while the other half I spend freelancing.
I am passionate about storytelling and problem solving, and I love when the two combine into effective and engaging design. In everything I create, from brands to packaging to print, I try to ingrain a story, an idea, and if that's not possible (or required) then at least a beautiful piece of communication.
Work Terms
I prefer email as our primary method of communication, this helps make communication from both parties clear and accountable. However I always like to start project kick-offs by phone, it's great to actually talk to someone, hash out details and questions get the project off on a good foot.