the studio
People-first by design
Based in Raleigh, working with businesses nationwide. I design brands and websites around the people you serve—not just how they look, but how they land with the people who matter most.
let’s get acquainted
Hey, I'm Melanie
I'm the designer behind Little Orange Studio. Born and raised in Baltimore, spending summers on Maryland's sunny shores, and now nestled in North Carolina's pine country.
For ten years, I honed my skills as a Graphic and User Experience Designer, working for major agencies and corporations. That's what led me to leave and build something of my own—brands that actually work for the people they're built to serve.
When I'm not designing, you'll find me soaking up family time with my husband, our two little ones, and our two pups. I'm so grateful I get to do what I love every day, helping ambitious business owners bring their visions to life.
christian, mom, cake junkie, collector of inspiration
studio philosophy
Design that’s yours, not mine
My approach: I create brands that genuinely resonate with your audience and drive real results. No trendy templates or things that I personally love—just tailored strategies that work.
Each project starts with a deep dive into your unique business goals and audience needs. By combining strategic thinking with people-first design, I craft brands that stand out and perform powerfully in your market.
The outcome? A brand that turns browsers into loyal clients and moves your business forward—exactly the way you need it to.
Some amazing brands I’ve been able to work with
A Doorway to Hope
allito spaces
ANDRADE DEVELOPMENT
Channel Marker Mortgage
Com-Bro Contracting
dauphin & fantacone cpas
Gangster Vegan Organics DMV
Harwood Farm
Johns Hopkins University
kelly gargiulo, realtor
Kelly Whibbs Art
Keystone Innovative Solutions
Leonard Paper Company
North Charles Street Design Co.
RAWish DC
Rutabaga Juicery & Eats
Scoop & Paddle
SimEx-iWerks
The Sandusky Group
The Sedona House
triangle oktoberfest
Uber Bagels & Deli
whit at home
WildRoot
hear from one of my clients:
“Melanie is so easy to work with because of three things: she asks great questions, takes the time to learn how the project will function and be used, and is ridiculously talented!”
gerry, the sandusky group
Fun fact: The “los dog” icon is a hand-drawn silhouette of Murph himselffrequently asked
What’s with the name?
If you're wondering whether our studio has a fondness for the color orange, you're on the right track! The heart and soul behind the name is Murphy, my little orange studio pup. Though he's often found napping on the job, he's always by my side, providing daily inspiration and endless loyalty.
Not long after I named the studio, a new, less orange furry friend joined the family—a hound that we named Hopper. (Any Stranger Things fans out there?) You might spot him around the studio too!
Capabilities
brand creation
Art Direction
Brand Identity
Competitive Analysis
Research and Strategy
Brand Expansion
Brand Guidelines
Brand applied
Marketing Collateral
Packaging Design
Print Design
Signage
Wayfinding
interactive
Website Design
Website Development
Ecommerce
User Interface Design
User Experience Design
Email newsletter templates
Ready to get started?
Book a quick 15-minute discovery call to explore the possibilities.