ABOUT HIL

hil is a graphic designer and writer. she studied graphic design at the university of illinois at chicago and received her master of design degree in 2020. still curious, she continued on to a criticism program and received her master of arts in cultural criticism in 2022. hil mostly works on projects that are mission driven and are striving for a future that is more accessible, more human, and more beautiful; what we put out into the world matters.

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HIL SHORT DESIGN STUDIO, OWNER

lead end-to-end design projects spanning brand identity, website design, and print collateral for clients in nonprofit, arts, retail, and small business sectors

develop strategic brand foundations including positioning, messaging, and visual systems

design and launch responsive websites with a focus on user experience, accessibility, and conversion

create cohesive print materials such as marketing campaigns, event collateral, packaging, and publications

collaborate directly with clients to define goals, manage timelines, and deliver tailored creative solutions

translate complex information into clear, engaging visual formats, including data visualizations and reports

GILLY’s LILIES
Florist Website Redesign – Improved user experience and increased audience reach through strategic navigation and visual storytelling

CHICAGO ABORTION FUND
Nonprofit Website Redesign – Reimagined digital presence with a focus on usability and stakeholder engagement

INSTITUTE FOR HUMANITIES
Academic Grant – Designed complex data visuals and publication materials to communicate research effectively

THE CLASSICS COMPANY
Theater Company Branding – Developed full identity system and promotional assets to support launch and audience growth

UNDOCUMENTED KNOWLEDGES PROJECT
academic grant — designed and curated materials for an academic grant project disseminating oral histories, integrating visual storytelling with educational context for diverse audiences

DR. DEBBI NAPOLITANO
political campaign — developed cohesive campaign branding and signage systems to clearly communicate messaging, increase visibility, and engage target voters

DR. MARIA KRYSAN
book tour — designed an engaging slide deck translating complex sociological concepts into clear, accessible visuals for public-facing book tour presentations

DR. NADINE NABER
personal branding — created a visual identity for an individual launching their public facing scholarship

TEACHING HISTORY

Student Work

Student Work

VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR @ UIC | SUMMERS 2022–2025
-give lectures on foundational design topics
-create interactive workshops
-reorient students as design thinkers
-showcase student work in an exhibition

TEACHING ASSISTANT @ UIC | 2021–2023
-Arch 200, Fall 2021 and Spring 2022

CO-INSTRUCTOR @ UIC | 2020
-Senior Capstone, Spring 2020

IN-HOUSE DESIGN HISTORY | 2015–2023

VISITING DESIGN DIRECTOR @ UIC | 2022–2023
-directed a cross-unit project for three e-learning modules
-collaborated closely with subject matter experts
-established vision, strategy, and goals
-storyboarded and prototyped
-led user testing

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER @ UIC | 2020–2022
-planned five e-learning projects
-mentored junior designers
-conducted user research
-led design concept and strategy
-incorporated a holistic approach towards accessibility

GRAPHIC DESIGNER @ UIC | 2015–2020
-redesigned website for college unit
-created social media accounts
-conducted strategic thinking conversations about communication goals
-created visual assets for web and print
-collaborated with scholars on reports and data visuals
-launched campus-wide campaigns

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO
Master of Arts in Design Criticism | May 2022

Thesis: A collection of essays in different styles and voices on the history of information dissemination and technology.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO
Master of Design in Graphic Design | May 2020

Thesis: A formal analysis of newspaper obituaries, experimenting with revisualizing information as non-textual representations.

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY (PHILADELPHIA)
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | May 2009

SCHOLARSHIP

SCHIFF WRITING FELLOWSHIP NORMINEE | 2022
News-on-papers after Newspapers
This review considers the newspaper as a symbolic or indexical element.

BELLADONNA MATTERS OF FEMINIST PRACTICE | 2022
Eyebrow Archive
This autoethnographic essay is a long form artist statement about collecting the form of the eyebrow.

REFRACT JOURNAL VOL. 3 ISSUE 1 | 2020
Bloodlines, Kinship
This is a revisualization of the family tree.

SCHIFF WRITING FELLOWSHIP NOMINEE | 2020
Erasing Erasure
This essay addresses the in-between aesthetics of a captured image.

DUTCH DESIGN WEEK JURY SELECTED | 2020
Pre-occupied
Thesis book and exhibition: rematerialized obituaries.

UIC LIBRARY ARCHIVE AWARD FOR GRAD RESEARCH | 2019
Desk as a Stage, First Prize
An installation recontextualizing common office objects through a feminist lens.

CHICAGO ART BOOK FAIR | 2019
Flight of Fantasy
Risograph publication with experimental form making.