MillsburyMedia.com Web mockup 2014
- Millsbury Media
- Oct 26
- 5 min read
Title:
From 2014 Web-Mockup to a Living Creative Hub: The Evolution of Millsbury Media
Introduction:
Back in 2014, I created a mock-up for what was then the website of Millsbury Media — the digital home for my creative practice. What you see now at millsburymedia.com is not just a refreshed design, but a manifestation of growth: in technique, in ambition, in identity. As an artist, art-director, UX designer, and comic-book publisher based in Charlotte, NC, I’ve always believed that the medium is part of the message — and the website is one of the clearest ways I show not only what I create, but who I am as a creative professional.
The 2014 Mock-Up: A Starting Point
The project you see here on Behance (“MillsburyMedia.com Web mockup 2014”) marks a pivotal moment: a conscious effort to craft a digital identity that aligned with my visual art and design practice. (Behance)At that time, the mock-up represented:
A desire for coherence: To bring together visual arts, illustration, comic works and design under one umbrella (Millsbury Media).
Web design as branding: The site was not just a portfolio, but a statement of my aesthetic.
Foundation-building: A stepping stone. It wasn’t perfect—but it was clear, bold and intentional.
In many ways, it allowed me to say: “Here is Maurice ’Hero’ Miller. Here is my art. Here is my vision.”
The Present Website: A Living Showcase
Fast forward to today, and the live site at millsburymedia.com reflects where I am now — not just as a designer, but as a multi-dimensional creative professional. The site speaks to you:
Clear-cut navigation and branding – The homepage lists key areas: Graphic Design, Art + Illustration, Comic + Animation. The brand voice is present (“Hey! How are you! My name is Maurice “Hero” Miller…”) and welcoming. (TheNewMillsburyMedia)
Scope of services – It not only shows art, but design, UX, comics, illustration, motion, layout, typography, etc. The breadth of what you do is explicitly stated. (TheNewMillsburyMedia)
Personality and story – Your bio (as Maurice “Hero” Miller), the invitation to explore your world of creativity, and the clear positioning of Millsbury Media as your brand imprint.
Community & Communication – Beyond just “look at my work”, there’s a “Join my forum” link, a blog, social icons, a contact form — it’s built to engage, not just display.
Live, up-to-date feel – Versus a static portfolio, your current website behaves like a living creative hub where art, design and comics converge.
Why This Works for Me (and for My Brand)
When I assess the growth from 2014 to now, I see a journey that aligns with my strengths, my goals, and my identity as an artist-entrepreneur. Here’s why the evolution works:
Authenticity: From the beginning I’ve been about the full spectrum: comics, illustration, design, motion, UX. My website now reflects that spectrum rather than a narrow niche.
Ownership & voice: Identifying myself as Maurice “Hero” Miller and owning the brand Millsbury Media means I am consistent. The website feels like my space, not just a templated portfolio.
Professional breadth: By highlighting design services (web + UX + graphic design) alongside art and comics, I position myself for both creative projects and commercial work — which aligns with your history of client work (Zenon Digital, Toughrider USA, Lomar Specialty Advertising).
Narrative & context: I don’t just show work — I show why I do it and how I approach it. A site that is part resume, part artistic manifesto.
Growth mindset: The shift from a mock-up in 2014 to a full website today signals evolution. It shows that I’ve developed, embraced more tools, expanded services, and refined my brand.
Visual & UX coherence: As a UX designer myself, I understand the value of intuitive structure, clean navigation, strong branding. The current site is built to reflect that skill set, which reinforces trust with potential clients and collaborators.
Key Lessons from the Evolution
From this comparison I derive a few lessons that are relevant both for me (and for any creative professional) — and I share them here for anyone who may be reading:
Start with your identity, then build your site around it. The 2014 mock-up was right in that it asked “Who am I as a brand?” The current site answers it.
Don’t pigeonhole yourself too early — I allowed myself to show illustration and design and comics. This has allowed more flexibility.
Let your website evolve — A mock-up is fine for the start; what matters is that you treat your site as living, not static. You’ve done that.
Make services visible — As much as I love art, I am also a designer/UX professional. Being explicit about services means the site is usable for clients as well as fans.
Narrative gives context — People want to know who you are, not just what you do. By telling my story (Charlotte-based artist, small-business supporter, comic-publishing brand), I make the connection.
Brand consistency is key — The name “Millsbury Media”, my visual voice, the combination of art and design, all feed into a unified brand. The site is the anchor for that brand.
What’s Next
The evolution doesn’t stop. Looking ahead, I’m excited about:
Expanding the comic publishing side of Millsbury Media (web-series, print editions, cross-media).
Deepening my UX & web-design service offerings — more case studies, more client work, more stories of impact.
Integrating more animation and motion work into the website to reflect the “moving image” side of the brand.
Strengthening my community/engagement aspects: the forum, blog, behind-the-scenes looks, creative collaborations in Charlotte, D.C., New York, Chicago.
Ensuring the site remains visually fresh and technically solid: responsive, modern, fast, and aligned with the aesthetic I value.
Conclusion
From the 2014 web-mockup to today’s live site, the journey of Millsbury Media is one of growth, refinement, and identity. For me — Maurice “Hero” Miller — this website isn’t just a portfolio; it’s a personal platform that reflects the full spectrum of what I do: art, illustration, comics, design, motion, publishing.
If you’re browsing my work and approach via Behance or the live site, I hope you see not just individual projects — but the narrative of a creative professional building a brand, honing a craft, and moving forward with purpose.
Thank you for engaging with my journey.– Maurice “Hero” Miller / Millsbury Media
If you like, I can format this blog entry with headings, sub-headings, a suggested image layout (with the 2014 mock-up images on the left, current website screenshots on the right), and export two versions: one optimized for Behance (long-form, visually rich) and one for your own website blog (SEO friendly). Would you like that?
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