What we deliver

We help brands and teams tell their story rooted in the present, focused on the future.

We enjoy starting wherever you are in process. We provide custom estimations, initial chats and productive timelines.

How We Think > Creative Process

A creative process is often an activity of progressive, evolving steps, and not often a prescribed, rigid methodology. The goal here is to show a clarity of step-by-step processes for efficiency in explanation.

auditing, investigation and strategy
1
Discover Problem
Realize Key Challenges
2
Define Hypotheses
Understand the User's Needs
3
Identify Opportunities
Analyze the User's Experience
Concept, visualization, and design
4
Develop COncepts
Begin Ideation & Experiments
5
Design Prototypes
Create Detailed Design Solutions
6
Implement & Observe
Identify Results & Learning

What We Achieve > By the number

45+

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Early Childhood centers to independent and public schools to 4-year universities
60+

Diverse CLIENTS

From Start-ups to Heritage
brands to  Banking & Finance to Art & Design
15+

Years of experience

Within agencies, inside boutique firms, and
alongside smart companies
12+

Years of teaching

Instruction, speaking engagements, and workshops for in-house teams and universities.
%

GROW YOUR BRAND

Brand recognition, traffic to your website, a larger pool of prospects, or an increase in sales.
85+

DESIGN AWARDS

Branding, admissions + development campaigns, magazines, and websites
15+

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Early Childhood centers to independent and public schools to 4-year universities
35+

Diverse CLIENTS

From Start-ups to Heritage
brands to Banking & Finance to Art & Design
17+

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Within agencies, inside boutique firms, and
alongside smart companies
12+

YEARS OF TEACHING

Instruction, speaking engagements, and workshops for in-house teams and universities.
%

GROW YOUR BRAND

Brand recognition, traffic to your website, a larger pool of prospects, or an increase in sales.
35+

DESIGN AWARDS

Branding, admissions + development campaigns, magazines, and websites

What Clients Say

The behemoth that is the Spyre Center website is not only beautiful aesthetically, but also packed with salient features and pertinent information that speaks to our mission. The site reads so well and one can navigate the varied parts of who we are and what we represent with ease. Practically speaking, one can also move on to book a class or become a member or call us with further inquiry. The objective we set forth for creating this website was not a simple one, and ML handled it all with aplomb, hard work, patience, and talent. The results could not be better.
Show Project
Deborah Peters
Founder
,
Spyre Center
Mary Louise led Bricolage’s community outreach and constituent workshops with staff, students and John McDonogh alumni. Remarkably, she listened to varied points of view, drew connections across occasionally in conflicting community values, and emerged with a new Bricolage brand that united disparate communities under a single identity honoring our separate pasts and looked to a united future that we could all share.
Show Project
Josh Densen
Founder
,
Bricolage Academy of New Orleans
Non-profit organizations often underestimate the importance of good design as a way to reach the community. For Green Light, it is crucial to be able to educate, instruct and engage.  In our long-term partnership with Quercus Design, Mary Louise Killen helped us grow our programs. The results are a product of passion and not just a marketing tool.
Show Project
Andreas Hoffmann
Executive Director
,
Green Light New Orleans
As New Orleans’ first 50/50 dual-language immersion program, Esperanza Academy prides themselves on being authentic and unique. In formulating our new logo we wanted it to capture the true essence of our community we serve. Mary Louise Killen, thank you for leading and providing a product we are truly proud of. We truly appreciate the follow up conversations and making sure our logo is represented well.
Show Project
Natasha Doughty
Principal
,
Natasha Doughty
Mary Louise goes beyond your mission statement to bring your space and materials to life. With Bricolage, she stayed close to the growth, evolution, successes, challenges, students, and staff. Her goal was to know the school experiences, so the design work reflected Bricolage's mission, values, and people. Her eye for style, color, and photography made Bricolage at home no matter the campus location.
Show Project
Holly Robbins Hermes
Chief Development Director
,
Bricolage Academy of New Orleans

Who we support

Collaborative Projects
Arc Greater New Orleans
hmpsn studio*
Bricolage Academy of New Orleans
The Floating Agency*
Esperanza Academy
Green Light New Orleans
Krispy Krunchy Chicken *
Hotel Monteleone *
Jrumz Earwear
University of Missouri Kansas-City *
New Orleans Mini Maker Faire
CSD Sealing Systems *
Tijon Perfume
Spa Aria *
Spyre Center *
* Client work created with partnering agency.
Favorite Projects
• Arts, culture, and creatives
• Big impact, small footprint
• Nonprofit organizations
• Publications – Science, Business, Art or Leisure
• Food, Drink, & Shop
• Technology & Innovation
• Exterior or Interior Experiental Graphic Design
• Small business owners
• Conceptually satisfying
• Collaboratively consider the whole life cycle of a brand
Brief, but meaningful projects
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Stonyfield Farms  *
Pampers *
Gatorade *
Valspar *
Quartet® *

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