Extras
App Design for Stress Management Wearable
In Interface Aesthetics, I had the honor of learning from the incredible Kimiko Ryokai. For our final project we completed a five-week product design evolution. The prompt was to create a wearable that detects stress and engages with the user in a way to reduce it. We had complete control over the design of the wearable and created moodboards to support our design choices.
The product I created is called “trace”, haptic massage adhesives that detect stress and provide a calming massage. The user would be indicated that their stress level is high through what appears like a call from their body. After activating, they can choose the pattern and will receive a massage until their stress levels return to normal.
Pantree: Mobile App to Optimize Your Grocery Inventory
For my Information Organization and Retrieval class, I came up with this product that is intended to help prevent food waste. You can upload your receipts or link your grocery store apps to keep track of what you buy. From there, you can receive updates on food that you purchased that may expire soon and receive recipe recommendations based on what you have on hand. It is a rough prototype but it could be a cool idea with more work.
Red Wags: A Pet Adoption Site with a Twist
For interaction design, we got an assignment to create a pet adoption website. My idea was to promote the worst aspects about the dogs in a cute way. It was inspired by those TikTok videos where they put signs on their dogs like “I fart myself awake every night”. They always make me laugh. This was the design I created. It was completed in one week. There are more screens but these are my favorites. ;)
My Biggest Print Project
This was my largest print project to date. While working for Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center as the Marketing Coordinator, I took it upon myself to expand the season booklet. It was a hit with the City of Newport News officials and it roped in a few new customers for my freelance graphic design business.
Presenting My Research at iConference 2016
Having the opportunity to present the research poster that I designed at the 2016 iConference in Philadelphia was an amazing experience. The design literally stopped people in their tracks. It made me realize that my creativity had impact. It was so nice to hear that people enjoyed looking at my poster and that it felt fun but still informative.
At this point, I knew it was destiny. 🥹
My Illustrative Work in the Wild
Two clients that still currently use the digital illustrations that I created for them are The Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center in Newport News and The Seek Help Podcast. I worked with both clients to create the artwork that they envisioned. Special thanks to them for trusting me to deliver.
The Greatest Festival That Never Was:
The biggest lesson I have ever learned as a designer is that I cannot get attached to the things that I create. I was working with a client that was putting together a summer wine and soul music festival called “The Groove”. Their key demo was the 30+ “grown and sexy” crowd. This was the first time that I created something that I felt was absolutely perfect. I designed the logo, found some free stock images, and created some of the most beautiful work I have made to this day… only for the client to hate it.
They wanted something more colorful and playful. I created a different design that they used instead… until the festival was canceled. But I love this design too much to not include it in my portfolio.
