Advocating Design for Human Good

"I actually felt smarter working with them."

— Sarah M. (Client)

MATTER's core staff is comprised of designers, specialists, and advocates. Our designers design. Our specialists are adept in working in a specific media. Our advocates advocate on behalf of the client in the work the studio executes.

Rick Griffith, Design Director

For just under 20 years, Rick Griffith has sought clarity about art and communication through the broad discipline of design. His projects & commercial works and projects have been cited in several national and international resources including TDC, AIGA 365, Print, Dwell, and Good Magazine. He has works published by Rotovision in the UK and Lawrence King and Rockport in the US.

His and MATTER's work is included in the AIGA National Design Archives, the Denver Art Museum's Design permanent collection, The Butler Library of Rare Books and Manuscripts at Columbia University, and the Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

During the last 15 years, he has taught graphic design and typography for the University of Colorado, Denver, The Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, and most recently, The University of Denver. He serves as lecturer and panelist for conferences and presents frequently on either his method for teaching and practicing as a designer/typographer or the model of professional practice, leadership, and constant experimentation of the studio and type laboratory called MATTER.

Lauren Kwan, Designer

Originally from northern California, Lauren earned a degree in Electronic Media Arts Design from the University of Denver, where she first encountered Rick Griffith, a professor in typography. As a team member at MATTER, she is involved in print design, web, package design and three-dimensional prototyping. In her time away from the studio, she loves to snowboard, bake cookies, work on unfinished paintings, and be in the mountains.

Fayoké Longe, Advocate

Fayoké has over 10 years of experience in creative direction and computer science. She is passionate about civic and international design processes and loves advocating design in every arena. Her interdisciplinary methodology is a testament to her global family. She loves mixing big ideas with midwestern sensibility.

Fayoke is a design advocate inside and out and when she is not asking questions she is writing books on the historic culture of food and teaching classes.

Adeline Lord, Operations Manager

Reigning from Montana, Adeline is responsible for all day-to-day operations and ensuring that they are running smoothly. She holds a bachelors degree in Digital Media Studies and German from the University of Denver, giving her the experience to pursue every technical and design challenge with the same vim and vigor that is known to make MATTER unique. She holds a special place in her heart for well-designed ampersands and at signs, and has a deep love for typography properly executed. Adeline’s tech-savvy abilities paired with her fervor for learning are important tools in the rapidly changing world of design.

Amy Morawa, Specialist

Amy Morawa is an expert in interactive design for digital media. Coming from Dearborn, Michigan via New York City, she he ran a successful business designing web sites and related business tools for over 15 years. During that time, she also had the opportunity to work with some of the premier .com consultancies and gained experience is design process and services that consider the form, content, and context of your communications. As an independent she continued work as strategist, information architect, visual designer and developer for a variety of clientele.

Jeremy Peterson, Designer & Print Shop Manager

Born in Northwestern Wisconsin, Jeremy holds a BFA in Multimedia Studies from the University of Colorado at Denver. Before graduating, he spent time abroad studying color theory and Italian in Florence, Italy. His specific interests include semiotics and typography. As a designer and printshop manager at MATTER, Jeremy has been integral in the development and production of the MATTERIAL product line, as well as the studio’s 'ArtDesign' output.

Jessica B. Wurtzel, Advocate

Jessica previously an Art Director herself for 14 years brings a wealth of experience to the studio, including editorial expertise. She's currently managing clients' 'Cross-Media' strategies, as we deliver environmental, internet and print projects for our clients. A New York native and a graduate from Cornell. Jess fits in just fine... with her New York state of mind.