Early Foundations in Fine Art

Melbourne-based visual designer Nina Gibbes has built a career that bridges the conceptual richness of fine art with the adaptability of modern digital design. Her creative path began at the Sydney College of the Arts, where she majored in print media. There, she immersed herself in the tactile and conceptual aspects of artmaking—printmaking, bookbinding, and digital media—laying a strong foundation for her design sensibilities. This fine art training gave her a unique approach to composition, materials, and storytelling that continues to influence her work today.

New York and the Transition to Design

After graduating, Nina moved to New York for what she thought would be a one-year adventure. That year quickly turned into five, as she became deeply embedded in the city’s vibrant art scene. At Chelsea’s Joshua Liner Gallery, she managed communications while designing exhibition catalogues, show invitations, and visual identities for monthly exhibitions. The role gave her a firsthand understanding of how design functions within the art world—translating curatorial vision into visual language. During this time, she began taking night classes at Pratt Institute, sharpening her technical skills and refining her eye for graphic communication.

Returning to Australia and Expanding Her Practice

When Nina returned to Sydney, she joined Firstdraft as Communications Coordinator, where she combined strategic messaging with strong design execution. Her experience in this dual role taught her how to think about design not just as aesthetics, but as a core driver of audience engagement. Seeking to expand her expertise, she moved to Melbourne and earned her Master of Communication Design at RMIT University, graduating with a Dean’s List Award for academic excellence and creative innovation.

Since December 2022, Nina has worked as a visual designer at RGA Melbourne, contributing to projects that span brand identity, product design, and digital experiences. Her work focuses on creating designs that are both visually striking and user-focused, ensuring that creativity supports functionality. “I’ve learned so much, especially in digital,” she says. “I’m grateful my creative director, Anita Forte, saw my potential even when my product design experience was limited.”

Signature Project: The Disorganised Manifesto

One of Nina’s most significant works is The Disorganised Manifesto, commissioned in 2021 by Bus Projects, Liquid Architecture, and West Space. Designed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project invited creative organisations to reflect on their future priorities. Nina led workshops where participants contributed written visions and hand-drawn letterforms. She transformed these into a downloadable collective typeface, then typeset selected statements onto five large flags. Exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Melbourne Now in 2023, the project is widely recognised for blending participatory engagement with bold, conceptual design.

Blending Fine Art with Contemporary Design

What sets Nina apart is her ability to merge the conceptual thinking of fine art with the problem-solving nature of graphic design. She approaches each project as both a visual and social experience, considering how design can influence communities and inspire change. This perspective has allowed her to work fluidly between client-led commercial projects and independent, socially engaged work.

Influences and Inspiration

Nina draws inspiration from global design studios, including LA-based Mouthwash Studio, whose brand identity for wellness brand OEM she describes as “meditative and beautiful.” For her, great design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about learning from other practitioners, understanding their process, and applying those insights to her own work.

For Nina, design is a space where research, collaboration, and aesthetics meet. She believes that a strong concept paired with thoughtful execution can create lasting impact, whether in branding, editorial work, or participatory design. Her work consistently reflects care, clarity, and a desire to connect people through visual storytelling.

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