Mia Ristevski

Hello! I’m Mia Ristevski, a Melbourne-based designer and illustrator. I earned my Bachelor of Design from Swinburne University, majoring in communication design. I was fortunate to complete a semester abroad in the United Kingdom, studying illustration at Coventry University. During my time abroad, I was able to participate in a live drawing session for a musical performance as well as placing first in a poster competition, which will see my design displayed in a UK café for the next year. My freelance jobs have allowed me to gain experience working on a live brief with real clients, mostly focusing on branding and website design.

When I’m not working on creative projects, I enjoy curling up with a good book or discovering new TV shows, usually with the company of my cat and some sweet treats nearby, fulfilling my indulgent sweet tooth. I also enjoy working with traditional mediums in my spare time, as most of my professional work uses a digital format. I like to use these times to broaden my skillset whilst also having a fun and unrestricted way to use my creativity.

As I wrap up my studies and prepare to exhibit my work, I’m looking forward to connecting with like-minded individuals who are interested in guiding me as I embark on my professional journey.

Melbourne International Animation Festival Brochure

The Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF) is an exciting and vibrant celebration of classic and contemporary animation. The festival's brochure features a striking array of colours, showcasing sponsors, events, and a detailed festival map.

The brief asked for a brochure for a festival of our choice, complete with a map. I chose to design for an animation festival, which gave me the opportunity to use my illustration skills. I created mascots that represent the global reach of the animation industry (the world mascot), all coming together in one vibrant space (the Melbourne mascot). Fun and bold colour choices were used to create a festive and engaging concept, appealing to both animation enthusiasts and kids alike.

Time Magazine Cover

A Times Magazine cover inspired by it's accompanying AI-generated article that discusses the pros and cons of artificial intelligence and its impact on society. The article focuses mainly on the positive aspects, particularly how self-driving cars could give people more free time. As a result, the cover humorously illustrates a leisurely lifestyle made possible by having a self-driving car, reflecting the article's optimistic outlook.

This brief came from my time abroad, thus a heavy focus on illustration. The task was to create an illustration that highlighted the benefits of AI, particularly in enhancing human society. I wanted to showcase the potential of free time when using a self-driving car, whilst also subtly critiquing how this convenience could foster an indulgent and lazy mindset within individuals.

Three Unwise Monkeys

The Three Unwise Monkeys concept is a playful twist on the classic “see no evil,” “hear no evil,” and “speak no evil” monkeys, depicting them in a humorously dark context of self-mutilation. It combines gore with an unexpectedly cute and appealing style.

The initial project had these designs displayed on paper planes with accompanying design assets for the underneath folds. The challenge was to create a concept that could span across three different items whilst maintaining cohesion. This current rendition is more of a passion project, as I truly enjoyed developing the concept on my own and wanted to present it in a way that aligns with my vision, had the brief been slightly different. I enjoy blending a graphic, cute style with darker themes as it breaks what we believe something should look like.

Cat Cafe Melbourne

Cat Cafe Melbourne offers an interactive experience where you can hang out with, adopt, and learn about cats in need of homes. Following their lease expiration, they are excited to give their beloved brand and website a fresh new look in their new location.

The task was to create a brief from scratch, and I chose to focus on branding and website design. Inspired by my visit to Cat Cafe Melbourne before its lease closure, I decided to revamp their original designs. I wanted to embrace the business’s quirky and playful spirit by limiting the colour palette to warm oranges and browns, reflecting the shades of the cat residents. I also used round, bold shapes to create a soft, friendly look and feel that evokes the cozy, welcoming feeling of being around cats.

The Rise of the Japanese Gangster Exhibition

The Rise of the Japanese Gangster is an exhibition that delves into the history of the Yakuza, Japan’s organized crime syndicate, tracing its fall and rise. The exhibition explores the narrative about the Yakuza’s origins, distinctive style, rituals, and ethics.

This project focuses on utilizing space and scale in exhibition design. I used 3D design software to create the layout of the exhibition and showcase the panels as they would be seen in an exhibition. The task involved sourcing imagery and creating design assets to craft a cohesive, visually engaging exhibition that emphasizes the information being presented. Beyond designing the panels, the project required careful consideration of eye-level positioning, interactivity, and the overall flow of the space.

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.