Hi! I'm Leslie Hinton

graphic designer, color nerd,
lifelong visual problem solver

An Unexpected Journey

Design has been part of my life from the start. I grew up the youngest in a creative family—my dad was an award-winning art director and photographer, and my first real teacher. He had a knack for taking complex ideas and distilling them into a single, clever image. That ability to fuse clarity with creativity stuck with me, and it’s still the standard I hold my work to today. Design should respect the viewer—and always aim high.

I studied Visual Arts at Illinois State University, where I split my time between Design and Theater Arts. My first job was at a sales promotion agency in Chicago, but I was lured to California- and an unexpected career in feature animation.

Over the years, I worked on animated title sequences, commercials, and feature films including FernGully: The Last Rainforest, the Oscar-nominated short Technological Threat, and studio hits like The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Space Jam, and Quest for Camelot, among others.

Technologies evolved that replaced hand done artwork, so when I retooled once again, for a return to graphic design in 2003, my style had evolved. It was more confident, more expressive, and carried the rhythm and warmth of hand-drawn storytelling. I try to bring that energy to every project. In an era of AI-generated graphics and pixel-perfect templates, I still believe there’s no substitute for human creativity and craft.

After more than 15 years in animation, I pivoted to freelance work—a move driven partly by the industry’s technical shift, and partly by the clients who kept showing up with ideas they were excited to build. Most weren’t just starting businesses—they were taking bold steps toward independence, purpose, and creativity on their own terms. I realized I was doing the same.

Today, I design not just because I enjoy the work, but because I want to help others move forward on the paths they’ve chosen - with a shiny new logo or brochure that lights up their audience. Whether it’s branding, logos, packaging, or pitch decks—I bring my full experience to the table, and I aim to make every piece both smart and meaningful.

That’s my “why.”  What’s yours?

Have an idea you’re ready to bring to life? Let’s talk. 

Leslie Hinton- Artemis9 Design

Down the Rabbit Hole

My Unique Approach

At Artemis-9, I work with you every step of the way as a creative partner to bring your vision to life. My unique approach revolves around empathy, upliftment, harmony, and clarity.

EMPATHY

I believe that the best designs come from empathy. So through a deeper understanding and shared connection, I create designs that resonate with your audience.

UPLIFTMENT

I believe that design should uplift and speak to the higher self, rather than people's internal fears, insecurities, and biases.

HARMONY

Through my work, I try to use design to foster diversity, harmony, and a deeper connection with the community we share.

CLARITY

I believe that the creative process is overly complicated. It needs to be demystified and simplified. So I try to be as transparent as possible, offering full transparency and clarity along the way.

Testimonial

Leslie consistently delivers more than I expect. Her ideas reflect my personal style, while her work supports and helps define my "branding". She is inspired in both design expertise and her ability to express my concepts in writing . I am always delighted in the way she "pluses" any project. Her style is broadly varied. Punctuality and integrity are clearly at the top of her priority list.

- S. Buck