2022 | Dispatches Issue 3

As the Lead Designer for Dispatches Magazine, I was tasked with the exciting challenge of creating a design concept that would take the third issue, Art & Artifice, to the next level. For this issue, we wanted to push the boundaries of the magazine's design and create something truly unique and eye-catching. One of the first design decisions we made was to choose a bold and vibrant color for the cover. We wanted to make a statement and ensure that the magazine stood out on the shelves. After several rounds of color exploration, we settled on a striking shade that complemented the issue's theme of art and artifice. We also decided to experiment with the cover image and move away from the traditional container format. Instead, we opted for a full-bleed image that would capture the reader's attention and draw them to the magazine's content. This approach allowed us to create a more immersive and impactful reading experience. In addition to these design decisions, we also incorporated a new experimental font for specific stories within the magazine. This font helped to add a unique touch to the publication while also creating a cohesive and visually stunning design. We were thrilled with how the font turned out and felt that it rounded out the first full set of the publication perfectly. Overall, the design concept for Dispatches Magazine's third issue was a great success. It not only captured the essence of the theme but also exceeded our expectations in terms of its visual impact and innovation. We were proud to have created a publication that was both beautiful and engaging for our readers.

2022 | MStark Gallery Exhibition Catalogue

I had the pleasure of working with MStark Gallery on the opening exhibition catalog and identity for the gallery. This project involved creating a visual identity that effectively communicated the message of the exhibition. I worked closely with the gallery team to understand their vision and goals and translate them into a cohesive visual design. In addition to the opening exhibition catalog and identity, I also worked on several other design projects for MStark Gallery. These projects included designing marketing collateral such as brochures, flyers, and posters that promoted the gallery's exhibitions and events. Throughout my work with MStark Gallery, I focused on creating designs that were both visually stunning and aligned with the gallery's brand identity. I ensured that each design project was tailored to meet the specific needs of the gallery and its target audience. The result was a set of design solutions that effectively communicated the gallery's message, enhanced its brand image, and engaged its audience.

My collaboration with Dispatches Magazine began with Issue 2, where I was tasked with elevating the design of the publication. The initial concept for Issue 1 was based on a clean and modern design, with a focus on white space and minimalism. However, for Issue 2, we wanted to move towards a more editorial newspaper-like treatment, with the goal of filling the pages more fully. To achieve this new design direction, I faced several typographical and visual challenges. I had to come up with creative solutions that would keep the design cohesive with the style of Issue 1 while also moving it forward. One of the key design decisions was to minimize the amount of white space on each page, allowing for more content to be included without appearing cluttered. To achieve this, I experimented with various typographical and visual elements, such as creating custom typographic treatments for the headlines and subheadings, playing with font sizes and weights, and introducing new graphic elements. These changes helped to create a visually interesting and dynamic layout while also maintaining a consistent style throughout the publication. Another aspect of the design that I focused on was the use of photography. We wanted to showcase the artwork featured in the magazine in the best possible light, so I worked on creating a visual language that complemented the artwork while also aligning with the overall design direction. This involved experimenting with different image treatments, such as full-bleed images, image overlays, and creative cropping. Overall, my work with Dispatches Magazine on Issue 2 allowed me to push the design in a new direction, while also keeping it true to the magazine's identity. It was an exciting challenge, and I was proud of the final product we created.

2019—2021 | Dropbox Illustrations & Identities

During my time at Dropbox, I had the opportunity to take on a new challenge as the lead designer for the illustrations and key imagery published on the company's intranet platform. This was a new area of design for me, as I would not necessarily consider myself an illustrator. However, I saw this as an opportunity to develop my illustration skills and take on a new creative challenge. I started by researching and studying different illustration styles, techniques, and tools. I experimented with different styles, such as hand-drawn illustrations, vector graphics, and iconography. As I gained more experience and confidence in my illustration abilities, I began to take on more complex and high-profile projects for Dropbox's intranet platform. I worked closely with the content team to understand the messaging and tone of each project and develop illustrations that aligned with the content. One of the key challenges I faced was creating illustrations that were engaging, yet simple enough to be easily understood by employees across the company. I worked to strike a balance between visual interest and clarity, using bold colors and strong lines to create eye-catching illustrations. Overall, my experience working on the intranet platform at Dropbox was a valuable one, as it allowed me to expand my design skills and take on new challenges. It also reinforced the importance of continuous learning and growth as a designer.

2018 | Endless Coffee Company Identity

As the designer for Endless Coffee Company, a small-batch coffee roaster based in Berkeley's Co-Ro coffee collaborative, I focused on creating a unique and unconventional brand identity. My design decisions were driven by a desire to break away from the simple and elegant design styles that are typical of most California coffee companies. Instead, I aimed to create a more expressive and light-hearted aesthetic that would differentiate Endless Coffee from its competitors. I wanted the brand to feel approachable and playful, rather than overly serious or polished. To achieve this, I experimented with bold and colorful graphic elements, such as hand-drawn illustrations and playful typography. I also incorporated a range of textures and patterns to add depth and visual interest to the brand's packaging and promotional materials. Overall, the goal was to create a brand identity that felt authentic and approachable, while also standing out in a crowded market. By taking a more unconventional approach to the design, I was able to help Endless Coffee Company establish a unique and memorable visual presence that resonated with customers.

2017—2019 | About.google Editorial Re-design

During my time at Google, I had the privilege of being part of a small but highly motivated design team tasked with reimagining how Google told branded stories. Our objective was to develop a new system that would enable global teams to create interesting and unique content while staying true to Google's brand identity. The previous publishing templates were limited and lacked the visual appeal necessary to effectively communicate Google's brand message. As a result, teams often outsourced design work to agencies, which was not only expensive, but also made it difficult to maintain a consistent visual language across all Google's branded content. Our team worked tirelessly for a year to develop a new system that was both visually engaging and easy to use. We incorporated a range of design elements, such as custom hero modules, unique typography, and bold color schemes, to create a cohesive and identifiable brand identity. We also created a library of assets and templates that teams could use to easily create new branded content, without the need to outsource to external agencies. Our ultimate goal was to empower teams with the tools they needed to create high-quality, on-brand content in-house, without the need to outsource or hack together editorials. By giving teams the ability to create their own branded stories, we were able to save money and redirect those resources to more important projects. Overall, our efforts were successful in reimagining how Google told its branded stories, resulting in a new system that was both engaging and consistent with the Google brand.

2018 | Google Search On

One of my most memorable projects during my time at Google was working on the design of the "Search On" book, which was a two-week publication design sprint that challenged our team to write, design, and produce the publication in record time. The project involved visiting a printing studio in LA to oversee the printing process and ensure that the final product met our high standards. Despite the tight deadline, we were able to create a visually stunning publication that showcased Google's search technology and its impact on society. The book was intended to be a showcase for Google's executive team, and I'm proud to say that it now sits on the desks of some of the most influential people in the company, including CEO Sundar Pichai. Working on this project was an incredible opportunity to showcase my design skills under pressure and collaborate with a talented team of professionals. I am grateful for the experience and the chance to contribute to Google's success.

2017 | Human Rights Campaign Annual Report

While at Design Army, I was lead designer for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) 2017 annual report. We decided to leverage the conceptual elements of large format news print and to ‘strip’ back the full-color, glossy publications of prior years. We incorporated the two HRC brand colors while using crisp, bold typography as the primary vehicle for storytelling. The type was modified, elongated, and stretched to reflect the tension between the activist and the new administration. The several central spreads were meant to echo protest and rally posters, designed to strengthen the central message—‘unite, resist and enlist’.

2017—2022 | Various Projects

A collection of various projects I have worked on over the years, ranging from web specific work like redesigning the Robinhood Careers page, and Dropbox's intranet (99+) to Brand Identity work for Google's Game of the Year, Kaya Climbing, Ugly Mug, & 2 Chimes. This collection is just a repository of projects that I have enjoyed but don't necessarily deserve a section to themselves.