McKenna Ryan Johnson

Stories and design that draw you in.

Designer.

Journalist.

Creator.

I am passionate about the journalism world and specialize in designing newspaper and magazine covers, page layout, and graphic illustrations.

Above all, I am a storyteller.

Scroll for a sampling of featured skills. Or, use the top menu for direct access.

Writing

Arts and Culture Reporting

18th December 2023

Can you feel the ... anticipation?

Missoula's beloved production of Rocky Horror is back for it's 10th year in production, and plenty of students are getting in on the fun

22nd June 2023

Community Theatre Finds Success, Lasting Memories During Spring Musical 'Little Shop of Horrors'

22nd June 2023

Line Dancing Takes Center Stage at Lilac Festival

19th June 2023

Local Artist Illustrates New Book of Island Flora, Fauna: 'M is for Mackinac: A Nature Alphabet'

16th December 2022

'A long time coming'

One University of Montana dancer’s choreographic journey to the stage, in 94 days

Page Design Editing

Newspaper Design

Magazine Design

Current projects

Editor-in-Chief at Byline Magazine (Since 2023)
Design Editor at Montana Kaimin newspaper (Since 2022)

Awards

Top 20 finalist in 2022 Hearst Awards, profile writing category

Past projects

Intern at Mackinac Island Town Crier newspaper. Reporter and photographer. (Summer 2023)
Art Director of Byline Magazine, The Healers Issue, University of Montana School of Journalism capstone project (2021)
Intern at Worldcrunch, international news website. Designed prototype of Worldcrunch Weekly magazine. (2022, continued freelance work in 2023)
Design and Layout editor, and nonfiction board member, of The Oval, Vol. XV, University of Montana's undergraduate literary magazine (2022)
Designer for 2023 Native News Honors Project (2023)
Design and Layout Editor for The Oval, Vol. XVI (2023)
Designed a copy-editing style guide for the 2022 edition of University of Montana's Native News Honors Project, as part of a News Editing course (2022)
Montana Kaimin Graphic Designer (2020-2022)

About Me

Currently designing from the western mountains of Montana, USA, I grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin before moving to Boise, Idaho for high school and later Missoula, Montana to attend the University of Montana (UM).

At UM, I am studying journalism, French, dance, media arts and global leadership. I am a Provost Honors Scholar with the Davidson Honors College, and a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Franke Global Leadership Initiative.

I spend my free time hiking, dancing, reading and writing.

Samples included in portfolio may not include all published or unpublished work in a category.

Looking for something you don't see? Interested in more samples? Reach out using the information below.

Let's talk.

My inbox is always open. Contact me at:

mrj@drycreek.me