Mary Hanrahan
I have dedicated my life to this field and am more than ready to continue exploring, expanding and gaining mastery of my own unique visual language of design whether it be print, multimedia or web.

Goals and Passions
In general, I sought admission to the MFA program to further expand my current creative vision and skills, and to explore graphic design in more depth. I consider myself a digital storyteller and visual interpreter of insight and ideas for others. Working in design, I want to deeply reach my audience in a memorable way with imagination and effect, and thereby influence their thoughts, emotions and desires. I strive to visually make a lasting impact through effective type and the use
of carefully considered imagery to create a crystal clear message. If anything I hope to evoke a feeling.

I also like the challenge of translating people’s ideas and messages visually, whether into a website, a brochure, logo or other publication.

Having the ability to be both left and right brain makes it an exciting balance of being on one side, organized and disciplined, and on the other side exploring creativity that breaks the rules, strives for new ways to problem solve concepts, wants to inform or intrigue, and 'push the edge’ as needed to get the message across and understood.

Form and Function
I see these as interdependent, with both supporting each other in powerful graphic
design. At the most successful level, form and function are nearly indistinguishable and/or complementary, and form a stronger partnership together than separately. I find it the most incredible challenge to create a perfect blend of form and a function so tight and indistinguishable that it hits home simultaneously both intellectually and visually for the viewer. For me it’s about ‘this’ challenge — solving a message visually and intellectually — that has fueled my interest and passion throughout my career and life. The goal has not only been to graphically create a visually intriguing piece, but to serve and support the message by keeping it simple and succinct and meaningful.