Megan Baines

Communication Design

Megan is a young, optimistic, creative graphic designer based in Melbourne with a strong understanding of design and business. Design has been a passion of hers from a young age. Now as a multi- disciplinary designer, she is guided by the belief that design is about “the ability to see order in chaos” which is how Simon Sinek defines creativity.

Working closely with the elements and principles of design. Megan often finds herself exploring different ways to manipulate positive and negative space, colour and typography. In this way, she reveals hidden objects to symbolise the purpose of her designs in a memorable and dynamic way. She has shaped her vision and skills across applications, including branding and brand strategy design, publication design, typography design and photography.

Megan takes great pride in her academic achievements, holding a Bachelor of Design majoring in Communication Design, in addition to a diploma and advanced diploma of graphic design. When not working, she loves anything to do with the outdoors and fitness. She will most likely be found in the gym training, or alternatively, sketching or with a camera in her hand, on the lookout to capture her next shot of inspiration.

Swinburne Pathways

Swinburne Pathways is an alternative study pathway program for students who want to gain a practical, hands on education in their chosen field. The aim of this branding strategy is to create a memorable visual identity that clearly communicates the practical and engaging aspects of study, that works within the existing university guidelines.

Royal Botanical Gardens

With a strong colour palette, this bright and bold annual report design communicates the vision, values and purpose of the organisation. The design reflects an imaginative style of visual storytelling with illustrations of memories through the plant reflections.

Drift Along The Edge

Revealing secret destinations along the Great Ocean Road. This roadmap publication provides an informative and inspiration guide. Inspired by the authentic beauty its renowned for, featuring a custom line typographic illustration reflecting these majestic places that are often forgotten.

The Fitness and Health Expo

The Fitness and Health Expo is a fitness and health infused event that aims to energise, inspire and educate visitors who are passionate about fitness. Due to multiple unsuccessful rebrands, the aim for this brand strategy is to create an updated visual brand identity that will be linked to sub brand identities. Striking attention of the consumers with an energetic consistent colour scheme, it reflects the passion and community of this group.

Care Day 2022

The goal for this project was to create a logo emblem and social media advertisements for their international awareness day campaign that celebrates young people in care experiences. Inspired by kids reaching for help, the designs highlight the community and care that surrounds them.

Acknowledgement of Country

The School of Design and Architecture respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and knowledge-keepers of the lands, waters and sky that surround us, where we work, learn, create, communicate and make place. We recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded and this always was and will always be Wurundjeri Country. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who continue to make a better world through design.

We extend our acknowledgement to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students, alumni, real-life clients, and knowledge keepers, who have contributed to our own education diversity and growth. We will continue to ensure that staff and students respectfully honour ancestral connection to Country and Place in everything that they do.

We are dedicated to the notion of design to make a better world and we acknowledge that making tools, shaping place, sharing stories, making meaning, wayfinding and collaborating have long been and continue to be both central and integral to First Peoples' cultures. We recognize that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ cultural contributions have continued relevance to design practice and commit to: reconciling ancestries of design and contemporary practice as well as pursuing culturally and professionally appropriate ways to engage with a diverse population of colleagues, industries and clients. In a time of treaty-making and voice we understand that there are overlaps between caring for Country and the sustainable production of goods, services, experiences, products and buildings.

Guided by the principles of respect, reconciliation, and reciprocity we undertake to indigenising and decolonising design practice by dismantling colonial structures and challenging biases that have marginalised Indigenous voices and design.

As students of SoDA you will be given opportunities to both engage with and educate yourself in Indigenous creative practices and cultural protocols through a lens of inclusivity, diversity, respect, mutual understanding, inter-cultural dialogue in all aspects of design practice. Indigenous people have been telling stories, making tools, and connecting to Country through visual media, placemaking and place marking for more than 60,000 years and these practices are part of an ongoing, evolving and live tradition.