about me

get to know me; my story!

Hi, I'm Hope Ridley, a graphic designer from Midland, Michigan, currently based in West Michigan and entering my senior year pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at Grand Valley State University. I'm passionate about the intersection of design, business, technology, and the built environment. While my degree is rooted in graphic design, I've intentionally shaped my education and experiences around business, marketing, and strategic thinking, allowing me to explore how creative solutions can drive meaningful outcomes for people and organizations. I enjoy combining creativity with strategy to create experiences that are both visually engaging and purpose-driven.

Empathy is one of my greatest strengths and serves as the foundation of my work. It helps me understand different perspectives, build authentic relationships, and create solutions that are thoughtful, effective, and human-centered. I value personal connection and believe some of the best ideas come from listening, collaborating, and investing in the people around you. Whether I'm working on a design project, leading a team, or supporting a group effort, I strive to be approachable, encouraging, and invested in the success of those around me.

Through my experiences in graphic design, marketing, UX-focused work, and digital technology, I've developed a strong interest in how design, business, and emerging technologies can work together to create impactful experiences. I'm particularly interested in UX/UI design, digital strategy, and the ways technology can improve how people interact with information and brands. More recently, I've become increasingly interested in motion graphics and animation as a way to bring stories and experiences to life, and it's an area I'm excited to continue developing throughout my career.

While much of my recent work has focused on digital and marketing-focused design, I also have a strong foundation in fine arts and hands-on making. Through coursework in ceramics, 2D design, and 3D design, I've enjoyed exploring a wide range of creative processes and materials. Printmaking has been a particular favorite of mine, especially etching, monotype, and screen-printing, where I enjoy seeing my digital designs come to life.

Currently, I serve as an Architecture & Design Marketing Intern at Haworth, where I support initiatives that engage the design community and strengthen brand outreach within the commercial interiors industry. My work includes developing marketing campaigns and brand materials, designing event invitations and packaging concepts, supporting NeoCon experiences, creating customer-facing resources, analyzing data to inform outreach efforts, and contributing to design education and engagement initiatives. Through this role, I've gained valuable experience at the intersection of design, marketing, business strategy, and relationship-building.

In addition, I work as a Graphic Design & Web Development Assistant within Grand Valley State University's Information Technology department. There, I collaborate with developers, project managers, and communications teams to create accessible digital content, support CMS migration projects, and improve user experiences during the university's Workday transition. This experience has strengthened my passion for UX/UI design and reinforced my interest in how design and technology can work together to create intuitive, meaningful experiences.

Beyond my professional work, I've developed strong leadership experience through roles including President and Director of Merchandising for Alpha Sigma Tau at Grand Valley State University. These opportunities taught me how to lead with empathy, communicate effectively, and support teams with a people-first mindset. While I'm confident stepping into leadership roles, I believe leadership is just as much about listening as it is directing. I enjoy learning from others, creating environments where people feel heard, and building relationships that make collaboration stronger.

When I'm not designing, you'll probably find me caring for my ever-growing collection of plants, trying a new coffee shop, exploring the latest technology and digital tools, or watching films. I almost pursued film before choosing graphic design, and I'm endlessly inspired by the storytelling, pacing, and visual direction of filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, David Fincher, and Quentin Tarantino.

Whether I'm working on a branding project, designing a digital experience, creating marketing materials, or screenprinting in the studio, I simply love the creative field and the variety of paths it offers. I'm always looking for opportunities to learn new skills, meet inspiring people, and explore different areas of design. As I continue to grow throughout my career, I'm excited to gain experience in as many corners of the creative industry as possible and see where that curiosity takes me.