Graphic Design Alumna Maria Mansfield '24 Achieves Remarkable Milestones at Pratt Institute in NYC

Graphic Design alumna Maria Mansfield, class of 2024, is achieving remarkable milestones at Pratt Institute in New York City, where she is expecting to graduate in May 2026 with a Master of Science in Packaging, Identity, and Systems Design degree. 

Maria’s capstone project explores how Norway’s deep-rooted ecological values and cultural connection to nature can inform the development of a more sustainable and emotionally packaging system. By examining Norwegian approaches to material innovation, design ethics, and cultural philosophies, her research aims to bridge cultural and systemic perspectives with human-centered design principles. The goal is to propose a framework and visual design outcomes that not only reduce environmental impact but also help reestablish a sense of belonging between people, packaging, and the natural world.

This brand is built on a deep connection to nature, where every product embodies the essence of the elements. Each formulation is paired with a distinct tactile and visual identity: stone-like jars for grounding and glass that mimics water’s fluidity. The packaging is more than functional; it’s an invitation to experience the textures of the earth and its elements before even opening the jar.

The brand’s concept takes this philosophy further, forging a direct link between the raw source and the finished product. Ingredients are honored not only in the formulations but also in the packaging design itself. This creates a cycle of beauty that is transparent, sustainable, and deeply rooted in the natural world.

Congratulations, Maria!

To see some of Maria's work at Pratt - click to enlarge and scroll through