Rare Machine is the design studio of Melissa Stafford-Woodruff
“I contacted Melissa with an important, last-minute assignment to build and design a website. I was concerned that she wouldn't have enough time but I was beyond pleased with the result. Throughout the intense 48-hour process, she was incredibly responsive and clear in her communication, going the extra mile to meet my various requests. The design itself was creative, clear and sharp. It was such a pleasure working with her and I couldn't recommend her more.”
— Louise Roug, Executive Director, International · HuffPost
“We turned to Melissa for design on a number of campaigns last year to help ease the workload of our in-house designer. Melissa took in and processed a great deal of information on some complex products and events, listening to our ideas and helping us craft a design strategy for each campaign that was unique and eye catching while fitting in with our larger brands. She designed multiple pieces for the campaigns, including creating an amazing and spot-on logo for our largest annual event which we continue to use each year. From websites to email marketing to print and web ads, Melissa always came through with stunning, crisp, functional designs in a timely manner and was extremely accommodating and easy to work with throughout the editing process. She is a talented, dedicated professional and we continue to keep her at the top of our list for go-to designers.”
— Beth Allee, Media Source Inc.
“Melissa is a young, energetic curator with vision and the dedication to make that vision a reality. I had the pleasure of working with Melissa for "Plugged In" which she curated for the city of Hudson, NY. Thanks to her hard work, Plugged In became a critical and engaging event that was both well attended and well received. Curating electronic and interactive installation work for a large scale, outdoor exhibit requires focus and dedication and Melissa proved she was up to the challenge.”
— Bart Woodstrup, Artist and Associate Professor, Digital Arts at Bowling Green State University
For nearly 20 years I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with incredible clients—from journalism startups like The Marshall Project to independent film directors. I’ve worked with clients across multiple industries in retail, finance, healthcare, technology, transportation, and manufacturing. I love coming up with innovative solutions and elegant visual experiences to help tell your story, blending artful content with digital technology. I have a special interest in projects that support journalism, community building, and social activism and justice.
Currently, I am a Creative Director over at DG+ Design, where I lead the creative team in developing innovative branding, print and web design, user experience, video content, and more for companies across the cleantech industry.
In addition to my work as a visual designer, I also write a newsletter called Picturing the Future, a visual digest of the most interesting ads, art, storytelling, and design being used to communicate environmental messages and advance the cause of sustainability.
Find me on LinkedIn.
