Nice and Serious — marianguyen

Maria Nguyen

From Naarm (Melbourne) Australia, Maria is a London-based designer & artist whose practice is rooted in research, experimentation and taro bao buns. She enjoys challenging traditional conventions and talking in the third person.

Experience
Link to CV
Bureau for Visual Affairs ^(current)
Freelance ^{(2023 — 2024)}

Raft Studio ^{(2021 — 2022)}
Today ⁽²⁰²⁰⁾

Work

Luka Balm ^{(Work in Progress ID)}
Greenstreat^{(Visual ID)}
Gary Thomas^{(Visual ID)}
Pearl^{(3D + Visual ID)}
Emerson Rooftop & Bar^{(Visual ID)}
Hanoi Community Radio^(Motion)
Darwin Festival 2023^{(OOH Campaign)}
FYA^(Editorial)
Một Mái Nhà ^(Photobook)
Amazigh^(Photobook)
Christian Wagstaff^(Lettering)
St Kilda Film Festival^{(Visual ID)}
Melbourne Fringe Festival 2021^{(OOH Campaign)}
Transcendence^(Conceptual)
Across the Seas^(Research)
Netwealth ^{(UI Design)}
Nethersphere^(Poster)
Dreamscapes^(Painting)

Curated projects for Nice and Serious

1. You, Me and Money

Project completed at Today.

You, Me & Money is a digital tool designed for and with young people to raise awareness of economic abuse and the behaviours associated with it. Using the design language of a personality quiz, it helps young people understand their relationship to money, normalises talking about finances and provides helpful advice.

I assisted with developing the brand identity, characters and user interface of the quiz and website. Collaborating with senior designers, we worked on delivering a consistent language and feel across the platform.

Visit website here.

2. Victorian Ombudsman

Project completed at Today.

The Victorian Ombudsman (VO) plays a vital role in ensuring Australia’s public services stay accountable. Today had the opportunity to deliver a redesigned digital service to support a sector-leading service experience where complaints are transformed into change.

Through co-design workshops with the general public and the public service, Today mapped the service journey of different audiences, including emotions, and identified areas of opportunity.

The new Victorian Ombudsman site is striking in its clarity of design and purpose. The user-first, evidence-based design works to meet the needs of Victorians in providing a platform that contributes to the improvement of public services, free from ambiguity.

I assisted with the user interface design, working with senior designers to build out a design system that was robust and adaptable to different sizes.

Visit website here.

3. Gary Thomas

Project completed with Hours After.

A no-frills identity for Gary Thomas, a well-respected Melbourne accountant.

The identity embodies precision and reliability. Inspired by Swiss design principles, the brand utilizes a strong grid layout, emphasizing order and clarity. Deep earth tones convey a serious and professional demeanor, mirroring Gary's meticulous approach to accounting and tax services. The identity seamlessly aligns with the nature of his work, ensuring clients feel confident and secure in his expertise.

4. Darwin Festival 2023

Project completed with KWPX.

Taking place in the Northern Territory, Darwin Festival is Australia’s hottest winter arts festival with a vibrant program of cultural and artistic events. The visual identity reflects a sense of play and wonder whilst maintaining deep connections to Darwin’s surrounding landscape.

I assisted with the development of the brand language, identity and roll out.

5. Pearl Chablis & Oyster

Project completed with Raft.

Pearl is a premium and intimate wine bar in the inner city of Melbourne that celebrates the combination of two timeless delicacies, Chablis & Oysters. The team at Pearl engaged Raft to create a visual identity that echoed it’s premium service and interiors, making a point to differentiate itself from its bright pink sibling bar Pinchy’s on the same floor.

The key hero imagery beautifully references the iridescent nacre of oyster shells and the intricate patterns of vineyards seen from an aerial perspective. Both elements symbolize the meticulous craftsmanship and time-honored processes behind Pearl’s exceptional wines. This thoughtful integration of natural elegance and agricultural artistry creates a unique and inviting atmosphere for wine enthusiasts.

With the team at Raft, I developed the 3D hero imagery and brand identity.

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