New Paltz Experience Boosts Successful Graphic Design Firm

Years after graduating as strangers, three women now use the creative skills and experiences learned at SUNY New Paltz to propel a successful graphic design firm in upstate New York.

Lauren Payne (BFA, Graphic Design, 1985), Maureen Mooney (BFA, Graphic Design, 1991) and Jeanie (Lavery) Guity (BS, Visual Arts, 1993) found their SUNY paths crossing as their professional lives brought them to work for the same successful company, Spiral Design Studio in Albany. Owned by Payne and her husband, the award-winning firm provides full-service print and Web design needs for major clients throughout the country.

 

From left to right: Jeanie Guity, Lauren Payne, Mareen Mooney

“Although we went to school at separate times, were involved in completely different kinds of school activities, and led our lives in drastically different ways,” said Mooney, “we were surprised at the parallels of our collegiate experiences.” Although educated at different times, the three women even shared one of the same design mentors, Professor Muneera Spence. Payne, Mooney and Guity were unanimous in their admiration of this influential educator, whose exuberance and love of graphic design inspired each of them to pursue their passions in the field.

“Our outstanding New Paltz educations – including the meaningful collegiate experiences and "real-life" training – oddly led all of us to the same spot in the road for a once in a lifetime encounter of exceptional creative opportunities,” remarked Payne. “Upon interviewing both Maureen and Jeanie, and learning of their educations at New Paltz, I became even more confident in their abilities. I knew, first-hand, the kind of solid design foundation they received through the University’s arts programs.”

Since its inception in 1989, Spiral Design Studio has become one of the Northeast's most prominent graphic design firms, with a diverse local and national client list, including Citibank, MapInfo, Fleet Boston, Delmar Thomson Learning, and First Albany Corporation. Dedicated to the economical growth of the Capital Region, Spiral Design Studio and its employees commit their time and efforts to numerous not-for-profit organizations and pro bono projects annually.

“While our paths never crossed in college, ” said Guity, “I’m sure glad that they finally did. The creative collaboration has been a blast – not to mention the countless hours spent laughing over stories of our years at New Paltz. It’s really amazing how many similar experiences we’ve shared.”

About Spiral Design Studio, LLC