Makena Janssen is an artist and graphic designer in Los Angeles. She holds an mfa in graphic design from California Institute of the Arts. She is currently 1/3 of Handbuilt Studio. Makena combines experimental form-making with thoughtful, research-based work. This manifests in a variety of applications including environmental graphics, publication design, identity systems, anologue image-making, writing and teaching. Her work is sensitive, personal, and driven by a passion to make meaning in the world.
Her printmaking work has been exhibited at Colorado Springs 802 Gallery, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s Lane Family Gallery, and UCCS’s Gallery of Contemporary Art. Her design work has been featured at the DIS Copenhagen Library, and in 2020 she was awarded the faculty selected, Lorraine Wild Scholarship in Graphic Design at CalArts.
Makena studied Art and Education at Colorado College, and was awarded the Craig Herst Art Prize Scholar Award during her time there. Makena is from Maui, Hi and brings the warm spirit of aloha and her deep connection to the land into everything she does. She enjoys standing barefoot in the grass, long talks with friends, and learning new things.
Check out her resume and latest design work at @handbuiltstudio and @makenajanssen, or send her an email at makenajanssen@alum.calarts.edu
Her printmaking work has been exhibited at Colorado Springs 802 Gallery, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s Lane Family Gallery, and UCCS’s Gallery of Contemporary Art. Her design work has been featured at the DIS Copenhagen Library, and in 2020 she was awarded the faculty selected, Lorraine Wild Scholarship in Graphic Design at CalArts.
Makena studied Art and Education at Colorado College, and was awarded the Craig Herst Art Prize Scholar Award during her time there. Makena is from Maui, Hi and brings the warm spirit of aloha and her deep connection to the land into everything she does. She enjoys standing barefoot in the grass, long talks with friends, and learning new things.
Check out her resume and latest design work at @handbuiltstudio and @makenajanssen, or send her an email at makenajanssen@alum.calarts.edu
