About Us
Our Team
Visual Asylum is passionate about intuitive, fearless design solutions that exceed the expectations of our clients and their customers. We’re problem-solvers, committed to raising the bar by blending award-winning design and smart strategy.
We specialize in identity – bringing brands to life through thoughtful design, visual language toolkits, built environments, signage and digital solutions.
Maelin Levine | Partner/Designer
MaeLin’s work has been nationally recognized and was awarded the prestigious AIGA Fellow Award in 2008. Originally from Leadville, Colorado, Levine holds a BFA in Graphic Communications Design from the University of Denver and participated in the AIGA professional program at Harvard Business School….
More about Maelin...
MaeLin is currently the leading SD/TJ World Design Capital 2024 initiative for Design Forward Alliance.
MaeLin is currently the president of the board of directors of the AIGA San Diego Tijuana – the professional association for design. She served a previous term, and in that role, she was part of the team that envisioned and launched the Y Conference, which ran for 28 years, and developed the first-ever international chapter of the organization.
In 2020, MaeLin was selected to lead a bi-national team to develop (and win) the bid for the World Design Organization’s World Design Capital 2024.
MaeLin is the Founder and President of the Board of Trustees of the Urban Discovery Schools (TK-12) – a highly successful K-12 charter school. This unique learning environment integrates the creative DNA of Visual Asylum into its curriculum and character development programs. Levine is also a design instructor at UCSD Extension, where she developed the new certificate program in Communications Design.
Levine’s hallmark style incorporates bold use of color and whimsical touches. She is inspired by Alexander Girard, Charles & Ray Eames, Edith Head, folk art, toys, dolls, fabric, and paper. Collaborative by nature, MaeLin appreciates working with clients who challenge the status quo and value the big picture.
Amy Levine | Partner/Designer
Amy’s career spans twenty years and encompasses art direction, design and production of two and three dimensional graphic communication pieces. With a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts from Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri, Levine is a Colorado transplant who now considers San Diego her home…
More about Amy...
Prior to Visual Asylum she worked with Conover Design for clients including Davidson Communities, Oliver McMillan, Blanchard Training and Development and Lomas Group. Her work has been recognized by numerous organizations, including International Typographic Design, International Self Promotion, Print Magazine, How Magazine, CommArts Magazine, The American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Type Directors Club and CASE Studies Magazine.
Levine has served on the board of directors for the San Diego Chapter of AIGA – the Professional Association of Graphic Artists – for over 15 years. She is a past president of the organization and during her tenure was appointed chair of the AIGA Y Conference in 2013-currently. Amy also teaches Advanced Typography at UCSD Extension and Wayfinding/Signage New School of Architecture.
Amy’s passion and natural talent for the design of the built environment are pivotal attributes for the studio, from themed restaurant design to museum exhibition graphics. Amy has a refined sense of the art of fine typographic design as well as exposure to fiber arts and product design that influence the work of the studio.
