Melanie Hall's Portfolio

melanie hall | 708-253-8607 | [email protected] | www.melaniehalldesign.com

melanie hall designwhere ideas take off


Every day, we are bombarded by hundreds of messages, nearly everywhere we go— on billboards, in magazines, or even the graffiti we see on city walls.

In the midst of all these competing voices lies an amazing potential to express ideas that affirm the dignity and value of all people. Ideas that inspire us. Ideas that leadus to action.

That’s where I come in.

As a designer, I’m dedicated to visually communicating these ideas.

Design, to me, is really about connecting with people.

I’m a strong believer in collaboration and listening to others’ stories.

My passion for people and culture has taken me all over the world: to Chile, the Dominican Republic, England, Scotland, South Africa, and most recently, India.

I’m constantly inspired by and learning from those I meet.


I look forward to meeting you too. Let’s work together to bring your ideas to life.

Melanie Hall708-253-8607melaniehalldesign@gmail.comwww.melaniehalldesign.com

Postage Passion & Return to Sender

Book Covers©2010

Bella Donna, New York

Shopping Bag©2010

5 COMMON MYTHS

ABOUT THE HOMELESS

What Is A Street Magazine?The Reason We Exist

FALL 2010 VOL. 1 STREET MAGAZINE

IGNITE Magazine

Cover, Letter from the Editor, Feature Spread ©2010

Dear Reader, The gaunt faces of homeless men and women in Chicago,

Illinois have haunted America for many years. Recently the

desperation of the homeless has been fueled by the financial

crisis, yet it is a problem that has been present in the United

States for years. Even though it is not as visible here, this same

hunger and desperation exists in Grant County, the poorest

county in Indiana. “Street papers” were started in the late 1800s and early

1900s to employ the jobless and communicate ways for the

community to help those in need. The first “street paper”

was the Salvation Army’s publication “War Cry,” sold on the

cobbled streets of Cleveland, Ohio.

It took another eighty years before a modern street paper

was developed to do essentially the same thing. In 1985,

“Street News,” a newspaper sold by homeless people in New

York City was published. This paper became a successful way

to provide income to the homeless and provide a challenging

media voice. Now, street papers and magazines exist all over

the world. They are creative publications organized by social

workers, artists, business men, and journalists, creating an

avenue for self-help and communication.

IGNITE aims to raise awareness about the need existing in

Grant County. It seeks to give a voice to the homeless and job-

less who have been dehumanized or just gone unnoticed in

our communities. We hope to not only open your eyes to the

problem, but offer ways that you can be part of the solution.

Sparking a change,

Melanie Hall, Editor IGNITE Magazine

street mag·a·zine- [street mag-uh-zeen]

-nounA publication that exists to support the homeless

by raising awareness, giving individuals a voice,

and offering employment opportunities

MYTH #2 HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE ALCOHOLICS/ ADDICTS About 35-45% of people who are homeless do have a substance abuse problem; however the relationship between homelessness and alcohol and drug addiction is quite controversial. While addiction and drug use is prevalent, many homeless indi-viduals use substances in order to self-medicate, exposing a fundamental problem in our nation’s lack of health care provision for the poor and homeless (Suitcase Clinic).

MYTH #1 HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE LAZYHomeless people typically work harder for the little they receive than we do for any equal economic benefit. For a single meal, they may walk miles. Other homeless hold signs at a busy intersection or freeway on-ramp, receiving as many insults as they do donations. Although estimates greatly vary, most homeless folks have at least part time work. Most homeless are looking for steady work, but find that it is difficult to come by for one who does not have an address or a daily shower. Many others have a medical condition that limits their ability to do work, but they do not have the means to treat the illness or injury (Steve Kimes, Anawi Community).

MYTH #3 HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE UNEDUCATED People from a variety of backgrounds, educational levels, ethnic groups become homeless. It is estimated that 1 out of every 3 Americans is two paychecks away from becoming homeless. During the past year, 74% of the adults entering local homeless shelters had a high school diploma or a G.E.D. and 17% had some col-lege credits. Education, in and of itself is no guarantee that an individual will not become homeless (Suitcase Clinic, Berkley, CA).

5 MYTHS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS

After talking to a number of homeless men and women, it is obvious that there are still misconceptions about homelessness in Grant County. These are a few of the myths that the homeless people in this area hear repeatedly.

Shedding Light on Common Misconceptions

“A lot of people think we’re all bums. They’d be surprised by how many of us have college degrees. There are men from all over the world at this shelter, and they are some of the strongest men I know.” -Howard, Grant County Rescue Mission

“I hate being referred to as ‘those people.’ I’m my own person. Some people might not want to get help, but I do. Everyone has a story. You can’t just categorize people. I don’t understand how anyone can think they are better than someone else.” -Sabrina, Open Hearts Women’s Shelter

MYTH #4 IT IS THEIR FAULT THEY ARE HOMELESSIn the 2009 Point In Time Count, 84% of those interviewed listed issues such as employment, housing, disabilities, family problems, forced relocation, natural disasters, and recent immigration as the cause of their current state of homelessness. These individuals did not choose to be homeless and are trying desperately to return to self-sufficiency (Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida).

MYTH #5 IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO MEHomelessness is almost nobody’s choice. To live in a house or an apartment requires on to work for 40 or more hours a week at minimum wage, just to pay for housing, food and utilities. Those who are excellent at keeping a bud-get might be able to also afford a car. But most of those on the street suffer from some kind of limitation on their ability to do that kind of labor. It could be mental illness or addiction, or it could be a social limitation, or it could be an inherent refusal to do that much work for so little gained (Kimes).

You might not see it, but it’s there. Grant County is the poorest county in Indiana. Although you won’t see men and women begging for money on the street, homelessness is real and more dominant than you would expect. Estimates of rural homeless vary from 6.9 percent to 18 percent of the total homeless population. Research shows that the odds of being poor are between 1.2 and 2.3 times higher for people in rural areas as compared to urban areas.

People experiencing homelessness in rural areas are less likely to live on the street or in a shelter, and more likely to live with relatives in overcrowded or substandard housing (continued on page 22).

SWISSLAND CHEESE CO.

Swissland Cheese Co.

Brand Revitalization and Cheese Packages ©2011

World Relief Chicago

Marketing Resources©2011

Green’s Seeds Co.

Seed Packages©2011

“I’ve had cancer 6 times, kidney dysfunctions, a heart attack... I have a stint and a pacemaker now, I’m legally blind in my right eye... I’m on blood thinners and get bruises all the time...”

Despite all the health problems Steve has faced due to having AIDS, he has an amazing attitude. Since being diagnosed, he tries to live as healthy as he can. Doctors have called him a walking miracle. He should not be alive today, but he has beat the odds... more than once.

He’s been in three support groups over the years and said he’s seen a HUGE health difference in those who maintain a positive attitude and those who couldn’t. He says he’s so thankful he reacted the way he did and has been able to stay so positive over the years.

His family has been a huge support. He knows it has brought his family closer together. He’s seen changes in their attitudes, for the good, since he told them he was HIV positive. He’s been able to see all his nephew’s ball games throughout high school and college and now has 3 nieces, 2 nephews, 2 great nephews, and one on the way.

“I didn’t want to tell my family. I was so afraid they wouldn’t want me around my nephew. My brother was an athlete and I figured my nephew would be too. I was so afraid they wouldn’t let me be involved in his life as he grew up because I was HIV positive.”Steve never thought he would be HIV positive. He decided to get tested anyway- just for peace of mind. So on a lunch break, 22 years ago, he got tested. The results he received changed his life forever.

Mark Lee, on a photo shoot for NUVO in Fountain Square. He was asked to photograph cultural places in the city and Fountain Square was his first stop of the day on December 13th, 2011. He made his first cover of NUVO this week (pictured in the newsstand on the left).

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Mark Lee is an Indianapolis freelance photographer, whose work frequently appears in NUVO magazine.

Mark does not have the virus, but he became affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis after meeting two men who came to speak at his church. They became friends, and Mark soon learned they were both HIV positive. He was by each of their sides when they passed away in 1994.

These friends told him about the Damien Center, where he became a “Buddy” to AIDS patients in a support group. He did this for a number of years, walking through life with his new friends that were struggling with HIV/AIDS.

As medication improved, his role in the HIV/AIDS crisis began to change shape. He became involved in conducting over 200 interviews to put together a multimedia project about those infected by HIV/AIDS. His interviews were later complied into a play.

Teri is a huge Pacers fan. Her family has been to many games in Indianapolis.

“I hope that I’ve made a difference in the past 15 years because a lot of people label and stereotype the disease as people who are gay or use drugs. I try to open their eyes to see that it can happen to anyone, whether you’re white, black, purple, or green. It does not matter, anyone can get this disease. Telling my story opens eyes…”Teri loves to share her story and a message of hope with the desire of raising awareness and prevention among youth. Her daughter Jaclyn is also a big advocate in her high school now too.

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Melanie Hall's Portfolio

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