I’m a Sydney-based designer and illustrator with over 7 years of experience in branding, graphic design, and bespoke event stationery. Through my studio, I’ve partnered with clients worldwide to create cohesive brand identities, packaging, and custom illustrations, as well as hand-crafted stationery for weddings and special events. My work blends creativity with strategy, ensuring every design is not only visually striking but also meaningful and memorable. Portfolio available on request (PDF format).

Melissa Elia

I’m a Sydney-based designer and illustrator with over 7 years of experience in branding, graphic design, and bespoke event stationery. Through my studio, I’ve partnered with clients worldwide to create cohesive brand identities, packaging, and custom illustrations, as well as hand-crafted stationery for weddings and special events. My work blends creativity with strategy, ensuring every design is not only visually striking but also meaningful and memorable. Portfolio available on request (PDF format).

Available to hire

I’m a Sydney-based designer and illustrator with over 7 years of experience in branding, graphic design, and bespoke event stationery. Through my studio, I’ve partnered with clients worldwide to create cohesive brand identities, packaging, and custom illustrations, as well as hand-crafted stationery for weddings and special events. My work blends creativity with strategy, ensuring every design is not only visually striking but also meaningful and memorable.

Portfolio available on request (PDF format).

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder & Creative Director at Illustrated by Mel
January 1, 2019 - Present
Designed bespoke branding, packaging, and stationery for clients across Australia, Europe, and the US. Specialised in adapting illustrations and typography for print, merchandise, and digital platforms. Delivered production-ready artwork while meeting creative briefs and tight deadlines. Managed large-scale international projects (100+ hand-painted items) with a focus on quality and timely delivery. Provided end-to-end design solutions, from strategic brand identities to custom event artwork.
Senior Designer at Vida Glow
January 1, 2020 - September 8, 2025
Created custom illustrations and event graphics to support brand activations, photoshoots, and product launches. Led packaging and product development, collaborating with suppliers to deliver innovative, market-ready solutions. Produced global marketing and digital assets including POS displays, lookbooks, EDMs, social media content, website banners, and campaign materials.

Education

Bachelor of Visual Arts & Design at Australian Catholic University
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2013

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail
    paper Illustration & Character Design Portfolio
    A curated collection of my illustration work, featuring watercolour, line art, and custom designs created for books, stationery, packaging, and events. My style ranges from soft and detailed to bold and graphic, with an emphasis on adapting illustrations across print and digital platforms. Services include: – Character and mascot design – Custom watercolour illustrations – Line drawings for stationery and branding – Illustrations for packaging, editorial, and marketing I create artwork tailored to each client’s vision, ensuring designs are both unique and versatile for their intended use. illustrator illustration characterdesign mascot artist graphicdesigner customillustration branding digitalart watercolour
    paper Portfolio Highlights – Graphic Design & Illustration
    I am a freelance graphic designer and illustrator specialising in clean, bold, and minimal designs. My portfolio includes work across: Typography – clear, functional layouts and type-driven design Illustrations – consistent line drawings across themes (food, florals, portraits, custom icons) Merchandise – apparel, accessories, and print-ready artwork adapted for real-world products Event & Brand Design – signage, stationery, packaging, and marketing collateral This body of work demonstrates my ability to create designs that are both functional and marketable, balancing clarity with strong visual appeal. I have collaborated with global clients on custom merchandise, event design, and brand projects, and I deliver production-ready files tailored for apparel, print, and digital use. graphicdesigner illustrator merchandisedesign typography branding apparel printdesign