ABOUT
April Mirvis is a systems-oriented designer with a knack for storytelling and a practice rooted in research, experimentation, and strategy. In 2025, Novelty Theory Studio was established as a landing place for her creative work.
Being a practitioner of both fine art and design, she draws upon her diverse background in Event Production, Customer Service, and PR, adding depth and context to current projects. Her first design job was at a sign shop in Seattle, where she self-taught on Adobe CS1. Since then, she’s worked as a freelance and contract designer, mostly print-based, for small businesses in Seattle, Portland, NYC, and beyond.
In 2021, she returned to school at Portland State University to refresh her skills and portfolio and found a new place in her heart for Digital and Interaction Design, where she is focused today. She’s open to freelance inquiries in branding, motion, print, and illustration to keep things... novel.
She is currently based in Portland, OR, but is always open to expanding her horizons.
Past clients include:
NoCo, Airblaster, Shop DANO, The Supper Club Inc, Chop Suey, Neumos, Texino, URBN Encinitas,
and more.
CV
2025
BFA Graphic Design | Art Practice Minor, Summa Cum Laude, Portland State University, Portland, OR
2024
Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize, Finalist
Resident Artist: Fans Only Studio, Portland, OR (ongoing)
Contract Designer: NoCo Ltd.
Workshop Participant, Workshops in Yorkshire: Jill Carver, Designing the Landscape
Workshop Participant, High Low Art Space: Ryan Chapman, Plein Air Painting
2023
Volunteer: Docent, Oregon Contemporary
Decorative Shred: Screaming Section (featured work)
Workshop Participant, High Low Art Space: Nate Seay, Alla Prima Portraiture
2018
Partywave PDX (featured work)
2005- 2012
Event Production Manager + PR: Music, Fashion, and Lifestyle clients (Contract)
2004-Present
Graphic Designer (Freelance/Contract)
2000-2020
Hospitality Industry, FOH Renaissance Person