Ashley Missen

Hello! I'm Ashley, a graphic designer and illustrator based in Melbourne. Growing up on a cattle farm in Southeast Gippsland, I developed a unique perspective that I bring to my work. I’ve spent the last three years completing a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design), refining my skills and personal style. My creative approach is fueled by a love for pop culture, movie posters, album covers, and comic art, inspiring me to craft bold, eye-catching designs. I enjoy working with bright colours, strong typography, and simple, impactful styles that tell meaningful stories and connect with people.

For me, design is more than just visual appeal; it’s about creating an emotional connection. I believe that design has the power to bring happiness and offer a brief escape from reality. Through branding, illustration, and animation, I aim to create immersive experiences that captivate and provide a moment of relief from the everyday. Crafting these small moments of joy and escape is what drives my passion for design.

When I’m not designing, I’m out taking photos, collecting vinyl records, or spending time with friends. These personal interests influence my work and give it an authentic touch. I believe that the things I love naturally shine through in my projects, making each one feel genuine and personally connected.

I’m thrilled to continue my journey in the design world, bringing fresh ideas and creativity to every project. With each new opportunity, I look forward to learning, growing, and pushing creative boundaries.

Alley Tunes

Revitalizing the Alley Tunes brand, I aimed to capture the spirit of this beloved Hawthorn record store and café. With a fresh logo, engaging mascot, and cohesive visual identity, the rebrand blends vintage charm with modern appeal, celebrating music, community, and coffee culture.

SOLE: The History of Chinese Footwear

SOLE: The History of Chinese Footwear explores the rich cultural heritage of Chinese shoes, tracing their evolution through artful illustrations and storytelling. This project delves into the unique styles, symbolism, and craftsmanship that define China’s footwear tradition.

Where is the Red Panda?

Where is the Red Panda? is an interactive zine designed as a children’s flip book, inviting young readers on a fun, page-by-page adventure to find the elusive red panda.

Beyond the Puppy Eyes

Beyond the Puppy Eyes is a campaign urging potential dog owners to think beyond the cute factor. It encourages thorough research and responsible decision-making to ensure adopters are fully prepared for the commitment and care that a dog truly needs.

Phenakistoscope Single

This Phenakistoscope is a personal animation project featuring a cartoon version of myself walking, brought to life with my bold, vibrant branding style. The animation combines playful movement with strong colours and dynamic design to reflect my unique creative identity.

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.