“Toss aside your map of the world.
All your beliefs and constructs.
Dare the wild unknown.”
—LORIN ROCHE
ABOUT ASHLEY
I design an awakened planet
My design journey began in 2001 at Nike’s headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, designing retail environments for Nike Basketball, Tennis, and Running across Niketown and Indirect stores. With 12+ month contract cycles and 3-month breaks, I traveled solo through India and South America—without a phone!—experiences that enriched my ability to connect to people, make intuitive decisions quickly, and refine my design aesthetic
In 2006, I fully embraced self-employment, supporting top Portland agencies—Sandstrom Design, NEMO, HERENOW, and Sockeye Creative—while continuing work with Nike’s Sustainable Business & Innovation (SB&I) and Sustainable Manufacturing & Sourcing (SMS) teams. I also spent 18 months on Columbia Sportswear/SOREL’s in-house design team. These opportunities sharpened my expertise in retail, branding, and executive presentation design, and taught me to thrive under fast deadlines and as part of a team.
Today, I balance corporate and creative work—providing branding strategy, high-level graphic design, and executive presentation design for global brands, wellness companies, and mission-driven businesses. It brings be great joy to help visionary clients bring their ideas to life.
MY ADVENTUROUS SIDE
When not at work, I’m all about adventure! Whether it’s pushing limits in the mountains, attending multi-day silent yoga/meditation retreats, or traveling abroad and soaking in new cultures—I’m a seeker at heart and love it all!
My journey into yoga and meditation began at 18, when my parents brought me to Richard Odom’s class at the Sun Valley Athletic Club. That first class ignited a lifelong passion—32 years (and counting!) of dedicated yoga practice and meditation, learning from some of the world’s most renowned teachers.
In 2004, between Nike design contracts, I followed the call of yoga to the Himalayas. A solo, 3-month adventure through India taught me to navigate its cultural complexities—an experience that later led me to guide hundreds of people on spiritual adventures in India (and later Colombia).
Beyond yoga, I am an avid outdoor adventurer. In my 20s I ran 10 marathons. I’ve also climbed 25 peaks over 11,000 ft—including Mt. Kenya, the Matterhorn, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Shasta. Today, I enjoy mountain biking, skiing, hiking, weight training, and weekly cold plunge/sauna sessions in Bend, Oregon.
A recent milestone was reading the Bible cover to cover—an unexpectedly profound and life-changing journey.
Above all, my greatest joy is being mom to my 15-year-old son. Together we adventure in the mountains, travel to far-off places, hit the gym, go to church, and are endlessly entertained by our rescue crew—kitties Desi & Marley, and Shasta the Chanting Dog.
A FEARLESS DESIGNER
Being a fearless designer takes more than just skill.
It takes leadership. Desire. An ability to communicate.
There’s an internal flame that just won’t go out.
Being a fearless designer means checking your ego at the door.
It can be humbling sometimes. And, when you least expect it, rewarding.
Working as a team makes good designs great.
Being a fearless designer means being a trailblazer.
Both on and off the computer.
Exploring other passions feeds the overall design.
Experiencing life rather than watching it pass you by.
Being a fearless designer requires patience.
Yelling at your computer won’t accomplish much.
Frustration at yourself won’t either.
Accept deadlines. They are what they are. Stay up later.
Being a fearless designer is a never ending journey.
It’s not about the destination, it’s about the path.
Sometimes the path is obvious.
Other times, it twists and turns.
In the end, a beautiful design always shines through.
The search is half the fun.
Explore.
Experience.
Transform.
—Ashley Melin | Written 2004
LET’S COLLABORATE!
Interested in working together?
Please fill out this form and I’ll be in touch shortly.
I look forward to hearing from you.