The following are some of graphic design work over these past few years...
2024 +
2023 + WIP PAGES!
2022 + WIP PAGES!
The following are some of graphic design work over these past few years...
2024 +
2023 + WIP PAGES!
2022 + WIP PAGES!
LEMON CUSTOM TYPOGRAPHY
I MADE MY OWN FONT! AHHH!!!
The LeMON typeface is a custom design that complements the fun and bold logo I created for the brand. Its playful curves and striking forms reflect the spirit of optimism and accessibility that LEMON stands for. Each letter was crafted to harmonize with the logo, ensuring a cohesive visual identity that resonates with audiences and encourages engagement with sustainability.
By making sustainability approachable and inviting, LEMON aims to broaden its reach and inspire a wider audience to adopt green practices. The typeface captures this essence, reinforcing the brand's mission to spread positivity and hope in conversations about the environment!
BAR ESME COCKTAIL GALLERY PUBLICATION
Esmé, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Park, asked me to design a "Bar Esmé Cocktail Gallery Menu." This immersive cocktail book aims to capture the essence of their establishment and the vibrant artistic spirit of Chicago. The project explores the symbiotic relationship between visual art and mixology, showcasing a curated collection of cocktails inspired by the diverse works of the artists featured in their space and throughout the city.
DESIGN OBJECTIVES:
Celebrate Artistic Fusion: Showcase the unique synergy between Bar Esme and the talented artists whose works grace our walls, capturing the spirit of creativity that defines our establishment.
Art-Inspired Layouts: Employ design elements reminiscent of Esme’s art gallery aesthetics, with layouts that mirror the composition and flow of an exhibition, ensuring a visually captivating experience.
Immersive Experience: Create an experiential cocktail book that transports readers into the heart of Esme Gallery, where every page tells a story through art and mixology.
Neutral Design Palette: Create an unobtrusive design, allowing the art featured in each cocktail to take center stage. The intention is to be inoffensive, ensuring that the design complements rather than competes with the diverse artistic expressions defining Bar Esme.
PROCESS:
I came up with two iterations but we ended up going with the first one. Iteration 1: Spiral-Bound Sketchbook with a “Gallery-Feel” featuring...
Introduction Spread: The Esme Gallery Cocktail Book takes center stage, inviting readers into a world where mixology and art intertwine. The cover beckons with an elegant presentation, offering a glimpse of what lies within the sketchbook's pages. A possible “table of contents” with sketches of the builds
Full Bleed Art Showcase: Turn the page to reveal a breathtaking full-bleed image of the featured art piece. The visual impact is immediate and immersive, allowing the reader to connect with the artwork profoundly. The art takes precedence, drawing attention to its intricate details and emotional resonance.
Tombstone Description Corner: A discreet tombstone-style box appears in the corner of the left page. This unobtrusive element contains essential information about the original art piece – its title, artist, and a brief description. The design ensures that the
ADDYKNITS IDENTITY + PACKAGING
AddyKnits specializes in hand-knit and machine-knit clothing, crafted with care by the founder and an assistant. The brand is committed to sustainability, producing garments with zero waste and ethically sourced materials. In addition to knitwear, addyknits is branching into sewn clothing and fragrance, expanding its creative offerings.
Target Audience-
The primary audience consists of young adults, particularly women, who appreciate feminine clothing that is both stylish and sustainable. This demographic values creativity and self-expression in their fashion choices.
Core Values and Mission-
addyknits aims to empower individuals to feel confident and expressive through clothing that features creative color palettes and inspirations drawn from nature. The brand prides itself on producing waste-free, ethically sourced garments.
Differentiation-
What sets AddyKnits apart is its dedication to zero waste and sustainable practices, alongside a commitment to creativity and self-expression. The brand focuses on the artistic process and the unique story behind each piece, fostering a deeper connection with customers.
Desired Outcomes-
The main goal of this project is to rebrand and establish a distinct brand identity that resonates with customers. The new packaging and visual identity aim to enhance customer engagement and create a memorable brand experience.
Measuring Success-
Success will be assessed through increased customer engagement, positive feedback on the new packaging and branding, and overall growth in brand recognition within the sustainable fashion community.
DESIGN OBJECTIVES:
Sustainable Practices: Emphasize the brand’s commitment to environmentally friendly production methods, showcasing the process behind the clothing.
Expressive Visual Identity: Develop a playful and colorful brand identity that reflects the founder's passion for nature and creativity.
Stylized Packaging: Create visually appealing packaging that enhances the overall brand experience and aligns with the vibrant personality of AddyKnits.
Engagement and Storytelling: Design elements that convey the inspiration behind each piece, helping customers connect with the brand on a deeper level.
Cohesive Brand Presence: Ensure all design materials, from business cards to product tags, create a unified look that reinforces the brand's identity.
Through our collaboration, we explored several iterations for the brand identity and packaging design. Key elements include:
Playful Color Palette: A vibrant and textural color scheme that reflects the essence of nature and creativity.
Flowing Artwork: Incorporating soft, organic shapes and symbols to capture the brand’s playful spirit.
Enhanced Packaging: Designing stylized physical packaging that showcases the uniqueness of each product, including tags and thank-you postcards for customers.
Cohesive Brand Materials: Develop business cards, social media assets, and other collateral that align with the new brand identity.
THE BELTONES IDENTITY + PACKAGING
Mia Branda commissioned a redesign for an acapella group, "The Beltones," based in Nashville, TN. The design should reflect the group's vibrant personality and musical style, embodying themes of funk, retro, groovy 70s aesthetics, and a playful, bold vibe. The logo can be presented as "BELTONES" for versatility in branding. I was asked to create a LOGOTYPE, COLOR PALETTE, SLOGAN, + ICON.
Target Audience-
The primary audience consists of young adults, particularly women, who appreciate feminine clothing that is both stylish and sustainable. This demographic values creativity and self-expression in their fashion choices.
Core Values and Mission-
addyknits aims to empower individuals to feel confident and expressive through clothing that features creative color palettes and inspirations drawn from nature. The brand prides itself on producing waste-free, ethically sourced garments.
Differentiation-
What sets AddyKnits apart is its dedication to zero waste and sustainable practices, alongside a commitment to creativity and self-expression. The brand focuses on the artistic process and the unique story behind each piece, fostering a deeper connection with customers.
Desired Outcomes-
The main goal of this project is to rebrand and establish a distinct brand identity that resonates with customers. The new packaging and visual identity aim to enhance customer engagement and create a memorable brand experience.
Measuring Success-
Success will be assessed through increased customer engagement, positive feedback on the new packaging and branding, and overall growth in brand recognition within the sustainable fashion community.
DESIGN OBJECTIVES:
Funky and Retro Aesthetic: Capture the essence of 70s music culture through playful and bubbly design elements.
Bold and Playful Typography: Use typefaces that convey a sense of fun and energy, aligning with the group's dynamic nature.
Logotype Compatibility: Ensure the logotype works harmoniously with additional branding elements, facilitating a cohesive visual identity.
Black and White Presentation: Initially present the logo in black and white to establish strength and versatility before introducing color in later phases.
Moodboard Analysis: The moodboard provided by Mia serves as a foundational reference for the visual direction, showcasing elements of funk and retro design.
Typeface Exploration:
- Commercial Typefaces:
- Select a few strong, playful fonts that reflect the desired aesthetic and are available for purchase.
- Examples might include fonts with rounded edges, dynamic curves, and retro flair.
- Hand-Drawn Alternatives:
- Develop hand-drawn typeface concepts that complement the selected commercial fonts, enhancing the playful and unique character of the brand.
- Ensure these hand-drawn options maintain legibility while conveying the desired vibe.
Logo Development:
- Begin by creating several iterations of the logotype using both commercial and hand-drawn typefaces.
- Experiment with layout and spacing, focusing on how "BELTONES" can stand out while maintaining a sense of cohesion.
- Emphasize the omission of "THE" in initial designs, as per the brief, to simplify the logotype and enhance its impact.
Black and White Strength:
- Ensure each iteration is tested in black and white to guarantee strong visual performance without color distractions.
- Evaluate the designs for clarity, balance, and overall aesthetic appeal.
SKETCHES:
SACRED GROUNDS PACKAGING
Sacred Grounds is a packaging design project for a coffee brand that emphasizes mindfulness and intentional living. The design reflects the brand's commitment to quality and tranquility, incorporating calming visuals and earthy tones to create a serene experience. Each element of the packaging invites consumers to savor their coffee ritual, promoting a deeper connection to the moment.
GRANTSLAM FESTIVAL IDENTITY
Elijah Mercado
MIDDLEMAN Magazine Publication, Art Direction + UX Design
Remember LEMON? In this project, I decided to continue to branch off that idea. I was asked to study 15th and 16th century book designers and their layouts as methods of page design, learn about grids, and produce a layout with all pages reflecting the book’s internal grid... then break rules to make a comtemporary piece. This chapter is about thrift-flipping: what it is and how you can incorporate it into your lifestyle. All the writing was done by me. Luckily, my friend lent me her camera and I was able to take my own photos as well.
I had fun playing with a funky color palette! Portrait photography done by my amazing friend, Emily Polark
*PHOTOS AND COPY DONE BY ME*