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.
Arts and Culture Reporting
Page Design Editing
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Samples included in portfolio may not include all published or unpublished work in a category.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