Hi there!
I'm Zane Miller.
I am an institutional designer specializing in higher education brand systems, visual identity, and long-term design stewardship.
As Digital Design Manager at Hillsdale College, responsibility centers on overseeing and maintaining the design integrity of the college’s major publications, with expanding stewardship of digital properties across campus. The work includes six flagship print publications produced multiple times each year, donor-facing communications, executive-level events, and high-visibility materials for the President’s Office, Advancement, Marketing, and Public Relations.
In this role, final design decisions are frequently entrusted to me in collaboration with creative leadership, writers, copy editors, and senior administrators. Core responsibilities include typography selection and maintenance, the development of layout and publication standards, and the evolution of scalable digital design systems that support consistency across print and digital platforms.
This practice is shaped by a deep understanding of institutional design tension—balancing tradition with modern expectations, permanence with speed, and the distinct needs of students, faculty, donors, and leadership. Having engaged with Hillsdale College as a prospective student, enrolled student, alumnus, and now long-term staff member since 2014, design decisions are informed by uncommon continuity and lived institutional perspective.
Work regularly extends across academic departments, admissions, athletics, advancement, online learning, print and mail operations, and external vendors. Emphasis is placed on production fluency, accessibility, and brand governance at scale. Participation in the college’s project management software selection process reflects an ongoing focus on operational clarity, efficiency, and sustainable workflows.
Outside of full-time institutional work, I run a small independent studio—Rhythm N Grit—to support local organizations and community initiatives through thoughtful graphic design and branded communication.
Based in Nashville, the practice is guided by longevity—prioritizing clarity, typography, and visual systems that serve institutions over time.