Malia / mah-LEE-ə / Killings

The sort version:

Graphic Designer, Art Director, Illustrator, Ceramicist, Hiker, Camper, Skier & Carpenter based in Austin TX.

The longer version:

Malia comes from a semi-remote, off-the-grid home in Northeast Washington State where she learned from her parents at a young age the value of acquiring a variety skill sets. The small community she was surrounded by also taught her the value of collaborative effort benefitting the whole.

Arts and crafts were always on the top of the occupation list in childhood, and in high school "commercial art" was a welcome discovery as it would allow her to solve problems with art, whilst earning an income. 

Post-university, a large portion of Malia’s career has been spent with Wieden+Kennedy working for a number of global brands including Nike, EA, Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Corona, KFC, and Milka to name a few.

Also during her time at Wieden+Kennedy, Malia initiated proactive projects to improve the work experience of her colleagues. This included teaching almost 180 colleagues how to screen print and helping on dozens of personal projects. Also organizing a system for her colleagues to make use of the agency photo studio that was previously off-limits. And partnering with a colleague to build an internal directory called "Who's That" featuring portraits of each employee and some information.

In 2021 Malia joined Oatly North America as Design Director. In 2024 the job title changed to include “Creative Director” to better reflect the role she has been playing in helping concept and guide the creative across campaigns, experiential, point of sale and more.

Thanks for stopping by!

Experience:

2021—Present: Oatly North America — Creative Director & Design Director
Building efficiencies in the studio design process while working across campaigns, retail, trade, e-comm, product launches and partnerships.

2008—2020: Wieden+Kennedy Portland and Amsterdam — Artworker, Designer, Lead Designer, Unofficial Screen Print Instructor
Concepting, design, art direction, campaign production, packaging, publication, retail and merchandise design. Working as both a leader and a follower-of-direction across a multitude of projects.

2008: Freelance Designer

2007—2008: WWU Prevention & Wellness Services — Designer
Creating posters, pamphlets, and a website for the university department that organised dozens of social programs.

2003–2007:
A smattering of jobs pre-design career with the singular goal of trying to make as much money as possible while in college. The most fun being a Wildland Firefighter for the Department of Natural Resources, summer 2005.

Pre-2003: Earning Her Keep
Weed out the thistles on the back 40 you say? 

Education:

Western Washington University
BA in Graphic Design, Minor in Business & Economics

Graduated with honours: Outstanding Graduate Award from the Art Department, and Excellence in Design Award from the Design Department.