A Look into My Mural Process

alexmaussdesign
Nov 14
3 min read

Hi! I’m a muralist based in Olympia, WA.

Investing in a mural is more than a splash of color on a wall; it’s about creating a unique experience that resonates. Murals can share your business’s values and personality in a welcoming, memorable way. They spark connection, can become community landmarks, and offer great photo moments for social media. See samples of my previous murals here!

And because murals can be tailored to any space, they’re perfect for spots where traditional artwork doesn’t fit - from tricky nooks to high-traffic hallways - providing a durable, low-profile way to bring art into your environment.

When I design a custom mural for your space, my goal is to understand your unique taste and how you want the space to feel. That way, I can create custom artwork that feels unmistakably you.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at my custom mural process:

Step 1 of my mural design process is gathering inspiration imagery. This is a screenshot of some artwork for a moodboard

Step 1: Discovery

The journey begins with a conversation. During this phase, we discuss your goals for the mural, including themes, subjects, and the overall feel you'd like to convey. Inspiration imagery plays a big role here; it helps us align on the direction of the design.

Estimated Duration: 1-2 Zoom calls or in-person meetings (sometimes email will suffice). Plus 1-3 days of brainstorming on my part!

An Alex Mauss Design initial sketch of a mural for Wonderland Books. A column mural for the children's section.

Step 2: Design

This is where your ideas begin to take shape. I’ll create a digital rough draft of the mural design, focusing on the composition and color palette. At this stage, the draft isn’t fully detailed, allowing for feedback and adjustments to major elements like subject matter, perspective, and proportions.

Estimated Duration: 1–2 weeks, depending on the mural’s size and complexity.

Step 3: Revisions

Refinement is key to ensuring your vision comes to life. Based on your feedback, I’ll adjust the design as needed. My process includes two stages of revisions:

Initial Rough Draft & Major Revisions:

This phase allows for adjustments to the subject, composition, perspective, or adding/removing elements.

An Alex Mauss Design fully rendered draft of a mural for Wonderland Books. A column mural for the children's section.

Realizing the Concepts & Minor Revisions:

After the overall layout is approved, I’ll refine the artwork with detailed colors and finishing touches. Minor tweaks ensure the final design aligns with your vision.

Estimated Duration: 2–3 weeks, depending on feedback.

Step 4: Wall Prep (if needed)

This could involve applying primer, power washing, or other treatments, depending on the wall’s material and condition. I’ll evaluate what’s required and advise accordingly.

Estimated Duration: 1 day to 1 week, depending on the wall’s location and material.

Alex Mauss Design an Olympia Based Muralist using VR Goggles for a mural transfer.

Step 5: Execution

My favorite part! Using a projector, VR goggles (wild, I know), or a gridding technique, I transfer the design to the wall. This step may require working during low-light conditions for precision.

Once the outline is in place, I bring the mural to life with vibrant colors and intricate details. I use high-quality house paint to ensure the artwork lasts as long as your walls do. Sealant or an Anti-Graffiti coating can be added if needed.

Estimated Duration: 1–4 weeks, depending on the scale and complexity. (The column pictured here took 10 days to transfer the art and paint all four sides.)