Makena Elizabeth - Portland Graphic Designer

Hey, I'm Makena. Nice to meet ya!

I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. From the moment I could hold a pencil, I was drawing, writing stories, painting... basically anything creative I could get my hands on. By high school, I was deep in it. I had mastered the family camera, taught myself how to build websites in Dreamweaver (does Dreamweaver even exist anymore?), and designing logos and gig posters. The decision to pursue Graphic Design was the easiest decision I'd ever made in my life.

In college, I had an existential crisis. Like one of those movie moments where the lead asks, “what am I actually doing with my life?!” I knew I was meant to create, but I started questioning what it was all for. That’s when things shifted. I decided I wanted my work to mean something, to be intentional, and to put something honest into the world. Design has always held influence and responsibility, and I’m passionate about using design as a conduit to build real connection in a disconnected world.

10+ years living my dream as a Graphic Designer

Right before graduating from Western Oregon University (go Wolves!) with my Design degree, I joined Sackcloth & Ashes' creative team as a Graphic Design Intern. Like many startups, I wore a lot of hats: web design, social media management, product and packaging design and development, digital marketing, environmental design, and so much more. I stayed at S&A for years following graduation, eventually stepping into a Lead Designer role, overseeing a team of talented creatives and guiding the business through a full visual rebrand.

In 2020, I joined Dr. Martens, a brand I’d loved my entire life and truly a dream job. Over six years on the Marketing team, I have worked across digital and brand creative, helping shape campaigns, refine the digital experience, and bring consistency to the brand across channels, all while collaborating with an incredibly talented team across the globe.

Throughout my in-house positions, I have continued to pursue freelance gigs that feel particularly interesting to me. Some of my favorite freelance partners include the Nursing Mother's Counsel of Oregon, Water Ave Coffee, and RAINN.org.

"Diversity and inclusiveness are our only hope. It is not possible to plaster everything over with clean elegance.

Dirty architecture, fuzzy theory and dirty design must also be out there."

― Sheila Levrant de Bretteville

Outside of Design,

I enjoy exploring creativity in all outlets. I am a self-taught knitter and a long-time ceramicist, and I’m especially drawn to anything with a tactile, hand-built process. And just like any good Oregonian, I enjoy taking advantage of everything the PNW has to offer: camping, hiking, and enjoying an afternoon at a restaurant patio with my pup. I absolutely love music and am almost always listening to something (want to share playlists?). Lately I’ve been especially into Australian indie artists. Phoebe Go, if you’re listening, I am on my hands and knees begging you to tour in the US. That said, my ongoing obsessions with Ethel Cain, Blondshell, and The 1975 still manage to top my Spotify Wrapped every year.

Works featured in:

"Makena was absolutely incredible to work with. From the beginning of the design process, she took the time to deeply seek to understand all aspects of my brand, down to my core values, my clients, and the feelings I was wishing to elicit through my visual branding. From there she blew me away. She combined everything I was hoping for and was extremely communicative, quick, and easy to work with throughout the entire process. Makena entirely exceeded my expectations: the work that she delivered captured the essence of my brand at a level that was beyond anything that I could have ever achieved or explained by myself. Her work is high quality and thoughtful, with every single detail accounted for. You will be in such good hands working with Makena, she cares so much about her clients and it shows in the experience she delivers. I couldn't be more thankful to have gotten to work with her."

- Kayla D., Together Theory Elopement Photography

"Makena is a unique combination of amazing talent and incredible attitude. She brings fresh creativity to all her projects while maintaining brand consistency. She is cooperative, positive, encouraging, and patient. (which are not always common characteristics for creatives). I cannot say enough good things about her, both as a person and as a professional, and Dr. Martens would be lost without her."

- Kate C., Dr. Martens

Today I am looking for new opportunities to grow and challenge myself both as a Creative and a thinker.
Think we might be a good fit? Let's chat.