the studio

Crafting connections

Based in Raleigh and crafting brands nationwide, I blend strategic design with creative insight to help businesses truly click with their audience. The result? Stronger connections, increased engagement, and the kind of growth that makes a real difference.

let’s get acquainted

Hey there! 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. This valuable experience sparked my passion for creating more personalized, impactful brands for smaller businesses.

That's how Little Orange Studio was born. Now, I apply these skills to create click-worthy brands that not only look great but also deliver tangible results for growing businesses across various service-based industries.

When I'm not designing, you'll find me soaking up family time with my husband, our little one, 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.

cake junkie, weakness for anything cozy, collector of inspiration

studio philosophy

Your brand, my creative mission

Here's my approach: I create brands that genuinely resonate with your audience and drive real results. No trendy templates here—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 purposeful 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.

Amazing brands I’ve been able to work with

4WD Beach Days

A Doorway to Hope

Channel Marker Mortgage

Com-Bro Contracting

Gangster Vegan Organics DMV

Harwood Farm

Johns Hopkins University

Kelly Whibbs Art

Keystone Innovative Solutions

Leonard Paper Company

North Charles Street Design Co.

RAWish DC

Rutabaga Juicery & Eats

Scoop & Paddle

SimEx-iWerks

Spry Design

The Sandusky Group

The Sedona House

Uber Bagels & Deli

Walt’s Waffle Buns

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 himself!

frequently 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—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.