Experiential Graphic Designers – Two Associates Named, Two New Hires

Mayer/Reed has named experiential graphic designers Mike Hawks and Bryan Stevens Associate and hired senior designers Emily Morishita and Robbie Maki.

Mike Hawks, SEGD specializes in multi-family housing identity, wayfinding and branded interiors. Recent projects include Prometheus residential developments; Saltwood, Raleigh Slabtown and The Carson. His public work includes significant community resources, the Oregon Convention Center renovation and the Multnomah County Central Courthouse (all in Portland, OR). In 2012 he co-founded the SEGD Portland Chapter and currently co-organizes Mayer/Reed’s studio education gatherings and provides mentorship to emerging professionals. Mike earned a BFA in interior design from Marylhurst University.

Bryan Stevens, SEGD is currently managing the signage and wayfinding design for PDX Next throughout the Portland International Airport Main Terminal, Concourse B, Rental Car Facility and Transportation Center (Portland, OR). He leads complex public projects with a collaborative approach to facilitate consensus building and consistent decision making. In addition, Bryan is an outdoor enthusiast and thrilled that his past work includes inviting others to do the same through his work on the Travel Oregon Welcome Center (Ashland, OR) and the Travel Oregon office (Portland, OR). Bryan holds a BFA in visual design from the University of Oregon.

Emily Morishita, SEGD is the first Mayer/Reed employee to be based full-time in Seattle, WA. She joined Mayer/Reed as a senior experiential graphic designer and project manager and brings 15 years of experience with a focus on transportation related projects. Emily was previously with Hunt Design in Pasadena, CA. Her current work with Mayer/Reed includes SeaTac Building C-1 and the Behavioral Health Teaching Facility at the University of Washington (both in Seattle, WA). She earned an MFA in graphic design from the California Institute of the Arts.

Robbie Maki, SEGD joined Mayer/Reed as a senior project manager and experiential graphic designer. With a background in interpretive exhibits and wayside signage, she is skilled in communicating complex information to diverse audiences through accessible, educational design. Robbie is currently managing Mayer/Reed’s work for Fairbanks Hall at Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR) and Jesuit High School (Beaverton, OR). Robbie holds a BFA in visual design from the University of Oregon.

Posted June 14, 2021
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: IN THE STUDIO 

Sustainable Design Throughout the Year

During April, we reflected on the significance of the month in the Pacific Northwest. Nature has shaken off its winter rest and has fully awakened, treating our senses to an explosion of color, scent and birdsong. The month also features a convergence of green celebrations. These acknowledgements honor ideas that are essential to our work but are not limited to a certain month. Together, Earth Day, Arbor Day, World Landscape Architecture Month and Frederick Law Olmsted’s birthday form a tapestry of ideals that we put into practice every day throughout the year.

Mayer/Reed is dedicated to upholding the principles of sustainability and green design as well as advancing our understanding and practices as new strategies emerge. Social sustainability in its many forms, though difficult to measure, also remains a focus of our firm. We recognize that a sustainable design ethic is not static, but constantly evolving. It demands our advocacy, exploration and willingness to consciously lead and adapt.

We are fortunate to work together with forward-thinking clients and partners who are devoted to addressing climate action plans, reducing our carbon footprint, preserving natural resources and wildlife habitat, enhancing water quality and creating healthy, equitable places for people. We thank these clients, partners and consultant teams for their commitments to addressing environmental and social challenges as we foster sustainable design. So much is necessary and, with teamwork, so much is possible.

A Pledge for Sustainable & Healthy Materials

MayerReed_materials

It used to be that selecting environmentally responsible materials meant using local and recycled content, sustainably harvested wood and low VOC paint. Today, the architecture and design community recognizes that we can do even more through our material choices to impact human health, climate, environment and society. Until recently, though, we didn’t have the information we needed to avoid harmful materials.

This is changing.

Designers and manufacturers are now engaged in a movement to advance content disclosure of architectural building products so designers can understand the environmental and social impact of the materials they specify. With this knowledge, we hope to drive the development of healthier material and product options through increased demand.

Mayer/Reed is one of the 114 design firms that signed the (Portland initiated) Materials Transparency Pledge. We pledge to support the efforts of the Living Product 50 manufacturers to share the responsibility required to make materials transparency work. For those manufactures that have taken the lead by supplying HPDs, EPDs, Declare, Cradle to Cradle, Green Guard Certifications, thank you for your investment to supply this information. To complete the loop, as designers we pledge to:

Support Human Health by preferring products that support and foster life and seek to eliminate the use of hazardous substances.

Support Climate Health by preferring products that reduce carbon emissions and ultimately sequester more carbon than emitted.

Support Ecosystem Health by preferring products that support and regenerate healthy air, water, and biological cycles through thoughtful supply chain management and restorative company practices.

Support Social Health and Equity by preferring products from manufacturers who secure human rights in their operations and supply chains.

Support a Circular Economy by reusing buildings and materials; and by designing for material efficiency, long life and perpetual cycling.

We’re in an exciting time for design, with opportunities to create places that push past the old benchmarks for sustainability. But a system change will only find success when individual designers, owners and manufacturers change their patterns. Will you join the movement?

To read the full pledge or join the signatories: www.pmtc-pdx.org/about.html

Reflections for the New Year

Kaleidoscopic:
– Changing form, pattern, color, etc.
– Continually shifting from one set of relations to another; rapidly changing

We welcome the new year with appreciation for the kaleidoscopic beauty found in shifting, adapting and evolving our perspectives. While we experienced disruption in ways we could not have predicted last year, it is our wish that these challenges catalyze positive change in our studio, community and world. We wish you a happy and healthy 2021.

Juneau Wayfinding with art by Rico Worl

Honoring diverse and minority voices, stories and art is important to authentic placemaking for every community. We are committed, through our work and in our personal lives, to collaborating with, supporting and elevating BIPOC artists and community members.

Portland Winter Light Festival  2021

Outdoor events with creative formats and social distancing will continue to be key to connections within our community in 2021.  This year’s Portland Winter Light Festival, deemed a (non)Festival, will be dispersed, yet filled with color, joy, wonder and delight. Light installations will pop up all over town including Mayer/Reed’s entry at Oaks Park called, Kaleidoscopic Canopy.  Check it out February 5-6 & 12-13.

Creston Park Playground

The importance of investment in parks and access to nature and the public realm has become increasingly clear this past year as more and more people turn to parks and open spaces for solace, mental health, exercise and recreation. As landscape architects, designers and planners, we must redouble our efforts to create parks, walkable streets and public spaces where everyone can feel a sense of community and belonging.

 

Curious about the places behind the Kaleidoscopes? Mayer/Reed projects, Juneau Wayfinding & Interpretive Elements and Creston Park Playground, were completed in 2020. The Portland Winter Light Festival concept (center) will become reality in February 2021.