Melanie Doherty

Melanie Doherty is the founder and creative director of Melanie Doherty Design, with 25 years of experience as a designer, brand strategist and creative problem solver. She has worked with some of the country’s leading brands, and for a multitude of renowned international social change organizations, including the United Nations, Room to Read, Doctors Without Borders and the Rainforest Alliance. After studying Communication Design at California College of the Arts in San Francisco, Melanie worked for various design firms before launching her own studio in 1980. To gain international work experience, she moved to Rome, Italy from 1984-87, where she worked with international clients in commerce and education and taught Graphic Design at Temple University in Rome. Since 1989, Melanie has taught visual communication, book design, design thesis, and professional practice at California College of the Arts, and sits on the Senior Thesis Review Committee. Melanie served on the board of the American Institute of Graphic Arts as Vice President and Education Chair, and founded the Enrichment Scholarship for Design Excellence.Melanie is active with local and global organizations promoting literacy, women’s rights and human development. After decades of working with large corporate clients, she shifted the focus of Melanie Doherty Design to work exclusively with organizations working globally for social change, thus aligning her personal interests with her professional expertise.Melanie has a passion for international culture and has traveled extensively throughout Africa and Southeast Asia. She has worked in the field with zoologists in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Botswana to protect endangered species and ecosystems. She has produced many books including art and documentary editions, and is currently working on a long-term personal project photographing the Chandni Chowk neighborhood in New Delhi.