Maryellen Hagberg is a graphic designer from Resaca, GA. Her lifelong love of art and design led her to pursue a degree in visual arts. While studying, she developed a love for philosophy and now loves to blend the disciplines together. She is graduating with a double major in Art, concentrating in graphic design, and Liberal Studies, concentrating in philosophy and ceramics. After graduation, Maryellen hopes to begin working in graphic design and brand identity creation before pursuing her MFA in graphic design.
Project Statement
Roll for Cakes is a fictional bakery brand inspired by memories of my deceased father. His passion for bringing people together through his baking and table-top gaming inspired the creation of the bakery. This multi-media installation combines my design philosophy with his aesthetic influence. I have developed a brand identity that incorporates contemporary graphic design principles, interactive packaging, and familial ties to encourage viewers to explore the intersection of commercial and personal design.
Artist Statement
Roll for Cakes presents some of my dad’s favorite recipes and shares them with customers. For this exhibition, I always wanted to design a brand that was personal, and when my dad passed away last May, I knew I had to do something that also honored him. I grew up in a home filled with sweet smells and laughter around the table at family game night. Those warm memories inspired me to create this fictional space in his honor. Here, people could gather with friends and family to play games and be united by the recipes he loved sharing. This project has also been instrumental in providing me a space to work through grief and create a path towards healing.
The aesthetic of Roll for Cakes is inspired by my dad’s love for high-fantasy games and books while also being influenced by my own graphic design knowledge. By merging graphic design, ceramics, and a rich sensory experience, viewers can engage in an immersive environment. Roll for Cakes is an intersection of personal and commercial design, and viewers are invited to explore the ideas of memory and familial ties within this installation.