My name is Hailey Winkleman, and I’m the main “eye” of EECS! Really, my eye is in the logo. I have two degrees from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale – a BFA in Communication Design and a BA in Art History with a minor in Classical Civilization. Outside my education, I have a lot of experience working in the communications field with non-profit and education-focused organizations, particularly rural schools advocacy groups.

I am passionate about telling stories and creating unique experiences. My work draws on art and design resources of the past, but I also like to keep an eye on today’s design trends. My goal is always to create something new and interesting that will stand the test of time! I am also experienced with marketing and advertising, particularly through social media and email. When I’m not working, I like traveling the world or napping with my dogs, Athena, Nike, and Calliope.

I consult for a variety of businesses and projects in design, communications, and marketing/advertising. Some notable organizations/projects I’ve worked with are the Miss Illinois Organization, the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools, the National Rural Education Association, and the I Am A Rural Teacher national advocacy campaign funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. I have also been featured on the Rethinking-EDU Podcast, the Secret Origins podcast, and Canvas Rebel.

I get this question a lot: why Evil Eye? In older societies, seeing was thought of more along the lines of touching – it was active, not passive. You could therefore affect other people by “touching” them with your eyes. To protect yourself from someone doing harm to you with their eyes, you might wear a symbol called an “evil eye.” Despite their ominous-sounding name, these charms are a positive symbol that can still be seen in many places today! I was drawn to this idea through my art history and classics backgrounds; I too believe that seeing is an active process, if more metaphorically than our ancestors thought. Therefore, my brand evolved as my own Evil Eye charm, warding off bad design and protecting clients from unfair dealings.