UI & UX Web Prototype

The project involved creating branding and a website prototype for a conceptual climbing gym tailored specifically for college students. The primary challenge was to develop a brand identity that conveyed accessibility, fun, and affordability, especially since climbing can often be perceived as an intimidating (and expensive) sport.

The branding utilized vibrant colors to evoke excitement and energy, along with dynamic visuals and welcoming language to make climbing approachable. By simplifying the user interface on their website, potential members could quickly understand what makes this gym unique — a friendly atmosphere that prioritizes inclusivity.

Using Adobe Illustrator, I developed logos and graphic elements that embodied the brand's identity. I then transitioned to Figma to build the website's interface. This tool allowed me to create a responsive design that was easy to navigate. In reflecting on the project, I learned the importance of aligning all design elements with the target audience's perceptions and preferences.

I was tasked with creating an animated character that tells a short story to children, specifically based on the Australian Aboriginal folk tale of Tiddalik the Frog. The objective was to engage young audiences through visual storytelling while honoring cultural elements and traditions.

I focused on character design and a background that reflected Aboriginal patterns and colors. For the solution, I created Tiddalik's character using Procreate and then brought it to life using Character Animator.

The results were successful; the animation effectively communicated the narrative while captivating young viewers through vibrant yet not overwhelming visuals. The objectives of fostering interest in this Australian kids’ lesson and its Aboriginal culture were met.

A Looping Icon Set

I was tasked with creating a set of looping icons for a children's entomology camp. The main objectives were to produce engaging, educational visual aids that were simple enough for children to understand but appealing enough to sustain their interest throughout the camp.

To address these objectives, I developed a series of looping icons that depicted various insects. Each icon loops independently, but they also work cohesively when presented together. Because of the complexity of the bugs’ movement, I used a limited color palette and simple linework.

I used Adobe Illustrator to render them in vector format, ensuring scalability without loss of quality. After finalizing the designs, I utilized Adobe After Effects to create smooth, continuous loops for each icon.

This approach was effective because the looping feature allowed the icons to engage children on multiple levels. Each loop can draw a child’s attention back to the icon, encouraging repeated viewing. With a design that is both visually appealing and educational, the icons serve as effective tools to enhance learning about entomology.

Poster for Milligan University’s “Famous for 15 Minutes” Film Festival

The project involved designing a poster for an event celebrating student films on campus. The primary objectives were to effectively communicate the festival's transient nature, showcase its diverse film subjects, and attract viewers from a distance.

To solve the problem, I focused on creating a vibrant poster that encapsulated the festival's spirit. I chose a dynamic layout with elements spread across the page, giving a sense of movement and energy. The color palette was selected to include bold and cinematic hues, reflecting the experience of viewing films.

I began with research on past festivals to understand the themes and styles that resonated with students. Using Adobe Photoshop, I arranged the elements, experimented with contrasting color combinations, and implemented motion effects in the typography to capture the viewer's attention.

The results of the project were successful - the poster received positive feedback from both students and faculty. The clear communication of the festival’s themes alongside the engaging visuals met the initial objectives.

The project required me to create a digital illustration that captured a woman who greatly inspires me. I chose Amanda Gorman, whose powerful spoken word during the inaugural ceremony resonated deeply. My primary objectives were to visually represent her, but also incorporate her poetry and the impact of her words.

To solve the problem, I focused on achieving a brushstroke texture that symbolizes the act of creating. The contrast of black and white with the contrasting background colors, the yellow line intentionally designed to give a sense of movement and light, and the use of a primary color palette helped the text of her poem both stand out and recede.

My process began with sketching various concepts before settling on a composition that balanced her portrait with the textual elements in Photoshop. The project was successful in meeting its objectives, as the final illustration resonated with viewers who appreciated both the visual aesthetic and its deeper connection to Gorman’s message.

The project was to create the visual identity for the university’s surprise day of fun, "Wonderful Wednesday," the year’s theme being national parks. The objectives included designing engaging visuals evoking an honest vintage feel, not leaning into clichés, and maintaining a limited color palette suitable for printing.

I addressed the challenge by drawing inspiration from vintage American national park designs, incorporating parks students were most likely to visit, and making the school’s mascot, the buffalo, central. The solution captured the nostalgic essence of national parks while being modern and approachable for students. The design was developed initially in Procreate and refined in Adobe Illustrator to achieve both the desired clarity and flexibility.

A fun yet understandable campus map was created, and the interlocking pieces allowed for versatile transitions across various formats. The project's results were evident in its success: stickers, posters, and t-shirts became sought-out items among students.

Poster for RISE Above Research Conference

The conference theme is "Roots and Branches.” The objective was to design a visually engaging poster that stood out from the conventional research conference materials. The goal was to capture the essence of diverse research topics through a creative visual representation that would draw in attendees and invite greater participation.

Using Adobe Photoshop, I created the root and branch designs with various brushes and textures, drawing thematically from American folk textures and styles. For the textual components of the poster, I utilized Adobe Illustrator to achieve a polished and professional look.

To differentiate this poster from typical presentations, I opted for a dark background and illustrated numerous interlocking and distinct roots and branches that symbolized the interconnectedness of various research disciplines. By utilizing geometric shapes and a palette of muted colors, I aimed to represent the multitude of research forms while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design.

Kinetic Typography Project: Despicable Me

The project involved creating a kinetic typography animation that visually enhances Vector's monologue from Despicable Me. The primary challenge was to design an animation that could stand alone, capturing the essence of the scene while effectively conveying the message through dynamic text and visuals.

To address this problem, I opted for a combination of hand-drawn animation and digital motion graphics. I used Procreate to animate hand-drawn elements frame-by-frame. I then used Adobe After Effects’ various tools and effects to synchronize movement with Vector’s vocal delivery and incorporate visual effects that aligned with the film's aesthetic.

This solution captured the energetic essence of the original monologue while delivering a visually exciting experience. I was excited to combine traditional and new tools of animation - as they work together to create a more dynamic viewing experience.

The project was inspired by the work of Gail Anderson. My solution incorporated her bright colors and a composition designed to draw attention to the title, which was framed within the shape of a Mac, a nod to the tools commonly used by graphic designers.

I began by sketching on paper. Once I had a concept in mind, I transitioned to Procreate, where I created the initial shapes and layouts. Final color choices and refinements were made in Adobe Illustrator.

The bold colors extend beyond the confines of the Mac silhouette, suggesting the image of a cord in an abstract manner. This creative use of composition, combined with dreamlike shapes and vivid colors against the stark backdrop of the computer, successfully captured attention while aligning with the modern elements of the craft and showcase.

The project aim was to create a booklet that aligned with a sermon series focused on exploring challenging themes. The primary objective was to convey these hard concepts in a manner that felt approachable and lighthearted.

To address this challenge, we decided to utilize bright colors and fun-shaped trash to craft compositions that appeared chaotic yet still possessing an underlying order. The addition of a small line-work character atop a funky text layout added a whimsical element.

We produced and photographed the trash flatlays in-house, using Lightroom for editing and Photoshop to refine the visuals. The lettering for the text was designed in Adobe Illustrator, while the line art character was brought to life using both Procreate and Illustrator.

The project was met with positive feedback from the church, indicating that the visuals helped them to grasp the depth of the topics being discussed - in a fun way.

The project was inspired by Ephesians 5:14 — “rise up, o sleeper, awake!” The primary objectives included developing a colorful, fun design that could transition seamlessly to a one-color version for various items like t-shirts and stickers.

The design needed to capture the attention of middle and high school students. I chose elements of sleep and waking that animated well - focusing on creating a visually dynamic piece that embodied motion and energy.

I began the sketching process using Procreate. I then transitioned to Adobe Illustrator to convert the design into a vector format suitable for animation and scaling.

One of the key lessons learned was the importance of flexibility in the design process; taking the time to explore various color combinations ultimately led to a more polished final product that worked well on many screens.