WHO AM I?
...The age-old question.
Hi, I’m Matthew Heyden, a designer who genuinely loves design. I follow designers the way others follow musicians. I collect design books, watch design documentaries, and yes, I’m the type to pause a movie just to comment on a storefront typeface or the William Morris wallpaper in the background. (Exhausting for my partner, I’m sure.)
I hold a BFA in Communication Design (12/24) and specialize in graphic design, exhibition design, packaging design, and design strategy. My work blends elegant simplicity, strong composition, and clever visual storytelling to create immersive, engaging experiences.
In every project, I prioritize adaptability, collaboration, thorough research, and a deep love for the creative process. I’m passionate about working across disciplines, whether that’s shaping a museum exhibit, designing a brand system, or crafting visual worlds for film and themed spaces.
When I’m not designing, you’ll usually find me outdoors, deep into a good book, behind a camera lens, creating stop-motion animations, or tumbling down a new learning rabbit-hole.
I’m currently available for freelance design work and actively seeking full-time opportunities in creative environments.
Education
California State University, Chico
BFA in Communication Design
Minor in Photographic Studies
Graduated: December 2024 – Summa Cum Laude (3.91 GPA)
Leadership: President, AIGA Student Group
Butte College
AS in Media Arts, AS in Graphic Design for Print, AA in Graphic Design, AA in Language Arts (focus: English Composition, Japanese, Spanish)
Certificate in 2D Animation and Game Design
Graduated: 2022 – Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society (3.86 GPA)