Mary Lauren Willis
Designer | Photographer | Illustrator
Based in Milan, Italy, I work as a freelance designer and creative consultant specializing in photography, illustration, content creation, and visual storytelling. My practice blends fashion, art, and culture with a focus on building visual identities and telling stories that feel bold, personal, and memorable.
Over time, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with emerging brands, studios, and independent projects, which has shaped my multidisciplinary approach. Inspired by visionaries like Franca Sozzani, I strive to push boundaries, craft innovative campaigns, and use design as a force for positive change.
My long-term vision is to move into creative direction across industries, where I can continue blending visuals, strategy, and storytelling to create work that resonates on both a cultural and human level.
![self portrait [Recovered]-02_edited copy.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b32448_e6dd98edc1e34d87b8611c877068194c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_359,h_359,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/self%20portrait%20%5BRecovered%5D-02_edited%20copy.jpg)
Experience
Publications / Exhibitions
2017 – Present
Freelance Graphic Design and Illustration
June 2021 – August 2023
Marketing and Creative Lead //
Style Clan LLC and Lords of Harlech
Charlotte, NC
2022
RareBird Collection Designer // SheinX
June – August 2019
Textile Graphic Design Internship // Digital Performance Gear
Concord, NC
August 2018 – May 2019
Communication Designer // Multicultural Student Development Center
Appalachian State University
June – August 2018
Painting Instructor // Uptown Art
Greenville, SC
2018
Graphic Designer // The Appalachian
Appalachian State University
2019 // 2020
The Peel Review 2019 & 2020 Juried Publication
Acrylic paintings
“A Walk in the Park”
"Blossom"
"The Feeling of Music II"
Boone. NC
2019
Loading BFA Graphic Design
“The 500 Page Book”
Appalachian State University Schaefer Center Smith Gallery
2019
Art is in the Square Juried Exhibition
Photography
Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici
Florence, Italy
2018
Appalachian State Chancellor's House Juried Exhibition
Acrylic Paintings
“Wonderland”
“Appliqué”
Appalachian State University



