OU Design is a two-for-one in the best possible sense. Founded by Samantha Kahl and Francene Collings, we’re a Melbourne-based studio that also happily steps into freelance roles at a client’s preferred rate. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience across government and corporate design, which means we’ve seen a lot, solved a lot, and know how to make things work in the real world. Our approach blends solid, old-school design principles with contemporary digital thinking, finished with just enough left-of-centre perspective to keep things interesting (and effective). In short: considered, capable, and not afraid to colour slightly outside the lines. Please see some examples of our work on our old website oudesign.com.au Like most designers, our own website is perpetually “next on the list” — somewhere between a passion project and a moving target.

Francene Collings

OU Design is a two-for-one in the best possible sense. Founded by Samantha Kahl and Francene Collings, we’re a Melbourne-based studio that also happily steps into freelance roles at a client’s preferred rate. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience across government and corporate design, which means we’ve seen a lot, solved a lot, and know how to make things work in the real world. Our approach blends solid, old-school design principles with contemporary digital thinking, finished with just enough left-of-centre perspective to keep things interesting (and effective). In short: considered, capable, and not afraid to colour slightly outside the lines. Please see some examples of our work on our old website oudesign.com.au Like most designers, our own website is perpetually “next on the list” — somewhere between a passion project and a moving target.

Available to hire

OU Design is a two-for-one in the best possible sense. Founded by Samantha Kahl and Francene Collings, we’re a Melbourne-based studio that also happily steps into freelance roles at a client’s preferred rate.

Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience across government and corporate design, which means we’ve seen a lot, solved a lot, and know how to make things work in the real world. Our approach blends solid, old-school design principles with contemporary digital thinking, finished with just enough left-of-centre perspective to keep things interesting (and effective).

In short: considered, capable, and not afraid to colour slightly outside the lines.

Please see some examples of our work on our old website oudesign.com.au
Like most designers, our own website is perpetually “next on the list” — somewhere between a passion project and a moving target.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Designer/Director at OU Design
December 1, 2016 - Present
Co-founder, senior designer (graphic) and Director
Senior Graphic Designer - Brand Manager at Hobsons Bay City Council
November 1, 2014 - November 30, 2016
Head of the internal design studio and brand manager
Senior Designer - Freelance at Artisan Creative
June 1, 2005 - October 31, 2015
Varied roles from studio management to graphic design roles in advertising studios, in-house studios and boutique design studios. This time also spent working in State Government in a cross government studio working with clients such as Major Projects Victoria, Department of Transport, Tourism Victoria, Premier's Office and many more.
Senior designer at Design Grant
February 1, 1997 - December 31, 2003
Senior designer and occasional studio manager. Being a small design studio I was expected to have a hand in all aspects of running a studio and working with clients and bringing in new work.

Education

Bachelor of Arts Graphic Design at La Trobe University
January 1, 1991 - December 1, 1993
Also completed three courses in photography and various courses in Quark Express etc (computers were pretty new back then!) Studied textile design at Melbourne School of Fashion for one year in 2015

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.