MARIA E. BURNS
  • Portfolio
    • Sanguine (Senior Thesis)
    • Climate Research Coloring Pages
    • Climate Research Infographics
    • "The Importance of Bee-ing" Infographics
    • Columbus Climate Adaptation Plan
    • Bear & Birch Brand Identity
    • Acadia National Park Icon System
    • Textile Work
    • Personal Projects
  • About Me
  • Contact

Welcome.

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SANGUINE (SENIOR THESIS)

Research, Brand Identity, Hand Typography, Publication Design,
​Book-Binding, Motion Design
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The topic of menstruation remains taboo in the United States even today. Important information is left undiscussed, and most menstrual resources are heavily gendered. Using feminine-oriented language excludes transgender, non-binary, and intersex people, and makes it seem like only certain people can talk about menstruation. Sanguine is a social campaign that strives to honestly and inclusively educate kids and teens of all genders about menstruation. 
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CLIMATE RESEARCH
​COLORING PAGES

Information Design, Illustration
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A goal of the Byrd and Polar Climate Research Center is to reach and education people of all ages about climate science. When shelter-in-place became a fact of life due to Covid-19, the Center saw an opportunity to give kids and parents an educational activity in the form of coloring pages about different researchers. 
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CLIMATE RESEARCH INFOGRAPHICS

Information Design
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A large part of the work done at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center is research done by graduate students and full-time employees, and this research is presented to a broad audience. I worked closely with individual researchers to create infographics that summarize their research clearly and concisely.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF ​BEE-ING INFOGRAPHICS

Research, Information Design
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This project, which spanned the semester, required two panels — that could stand apart or together — to express a topic that was either sequential, evolutionary, or cyclical. I chose to research and articulate the topic of bees, specifically colony collapse disorder and its implications. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet and social media about colony collapse, and it was my goal to share correct and nuanced information. 
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COLUMBUS CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN

Publication Design, Information Design
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The Columbus Climate Adaptation Plan is a hundred-plus-page document complied by the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center that outlines direct actions against climate change that can and should be implemented in Columbus, Ohio. During my time as Head of Graphics at Byrd, I laid out this document for digital consumption. 
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BEAR & BIRCH BRAND IDENTITY

Brand Identity, Motion Design, Publication Design
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During my junior year, I delved into the field of brand identity. Given the choice between branding a real company or creating an imaginary one, I chose to create a fictitious fashion line. In the fashion world, there is a lack of financial accessibility to high-end designs, so I created a brand called Bear & Birch that provides affordable and socially-responsible styles that are rarely seen off of the runway.
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ACADIA NATIONAL PARK ICON SYSTEM

Icon System, Pattern-Making, Image Manipulation
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Acadia National Park is a well-loved and world-renowned national park located in Maine. As breathtaking as the park itself is, elements of the experience — such as wayfinding materials, the visitor center, and the gift shop — can be improved. Throughout the course of a semester, I created a set of 20 pictrograms that can be applied in a variety of ways throughout the park. 
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TEXTILE WORK

Fabric Choice, Garment Construction, Hand Craft
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Inspired by my family history of garment construction, I began to sew in high school. Since then, I've learned about the making of textiles, begun to create my own patterns, and completed many garments. 
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PERSONAL PROJECTS

Character Design, Digital Illustration, Hand Typography
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In my free time, I challenge myself to learn more about character design and typography through self-directed projects. Most of these projects were first done by hand and then refined in Illustrator or Photoshop.
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© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Portfolio
    • Sanguine (Senior Thesis)
    • Climate Research Coloring Pages
    • Climate Research Infographics
    • "The Importance of Bee-ing" Infographics
    • Columbus Climate Adaptation Plan
    • Bear & Birch Brand Identity
    • Acadia National Park Icon System
    • Textile Work
    • Personal Projects
  • About Me
  • Contact