Abstract
The Dave Melton Graphic Design Papers is comprised of Las Vegas, Nevada graphic designer David Melton's papers relating to his graphic design work from 1972 to 1990. The papers include mock-ups and finalized projects from Las Vegas hotels and casinos as well as local businesses. The casino material is primarily from the Dunes Hotel and Country Club and the MGM Grand Hotel.
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Date
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Related People/Corporations
Scope and Contents Note
The Dave Melton Graphic Design Papers (1972-1990) is comprised of Las Vegas, Nevada graphic designer David Melton’s designs of advertisements, marketing material, brochures, invitations, stationery, company letterhead, media kits, and other various visual materials for Las Vegas hotels and casinos. The materials also pertain to other local Las Vegas businesses, including real estate companies and a television station. The Dunes Hotel and Country Club, and the MGM Grand Hotel make up the majority of the hotel and casino designs, and include advertisements for Minsky’s Follies showgirls and party invitations. Also included are project mock-ups with sketches and polaroid photographs done for local businesses. These papers highlight Las Vegas advertising themes and trends.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
Materials remain in original order.
Biographical / Historical Note
Dave Melton (1946-) is a longtime Las Vegas, Nevada resident and graphic designer who worked with a variety of Las Vegas businesses. Melton was born in Madison, Indiana in 1946. He graduated from the Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University-Purdue University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Visual Communication in 1970. After receiving a draft notice Melton joined the Air Force in 1970 and was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base for four years. At Nellis, Melton worked as an art director for
Melton continued to work as a graphic designer in Las Vegas until his retirement in 2008. Melton did design work for major Las Vegas companies such Caesar's Palace, the Dunes Hotel and Country Club, and KVVU-TV5. He also worked with Las Vegas entertainers such as Wayne Newton, Tom Jones, and Mac Davis among others. Melton has also taught college level courses about graphic design at the Community College of Southern Nevada, now the College of Southern Nevada and worked with Las Vegas companies outside of the entertainment industry such as Southwest Gas and home developers.
Source:
Melton, Dave. Supplied biographical note from creator. 2018.
Preferred Citation
Dave Melton Graphic Design Papers, 1972-1990. MS-00896. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated in 2018 by Dave Melton; accession number 2018-044.
Processing Note
In 2018, Maggie Bukowski accessioned the collection and created box level summaries of the materials. In 2018, as part of an archival backlog elimination project, Douglas Emery rehoused the materials and revised the collection description to bring it into compliance with current professional standards.