animation + graphic design
Case Study: Having an affinity for the gentle giants of the shores I live near, I revamped an earlier infographic into a more detailed illustrated piece. I wanted to make learning about a special sub-population of gray whales that visits the Puget Sound both visually appealing and fun for all audiences.
Programs used: Illustrator
Role: Design Director
As the Design Director for the Shoreline Community College student newspaper, Ebbtide, I designed layouts of the bi-weekly publication and created assets as well as graphic compilations to accompany news articles.
Below are some sample layouts and graphic compilations I designed that were published in various editions of the Ebbtide newspaper during 2017 – 2018.
Programs used: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
Role: Artistic Director + Animator
I was hired by Amazon’s tax team to create a 4-minute animation to break down a complex tax process using motion design. Working with senior leadership, I documented a flowchart to aid in creation of the animation according to client’s process, then designed and illustrated characters and scenes, storyboarded and scripted the project and directed voiceover content, timing the voiceover to the final animated product.
This animation was related to a project launch, and given the complex topic I wanted to keep things fun so I went with a 50s style space theme, creating a rocket ship for launch, implementing curvy shapes, a pastel-bright color palette and retro fonts.
Programs used: After Effects, Illustrator
Due to project confidentiality, I’m can only show snippets of the original video. Included are sped-up clips that highlight animation elements, illustrated characters and scenes I created. Music included here (“Waiting Around” by MM Music) is not part of the original video.
Sketches to digital render
pen and paper character sketches + digital renditions of various characters and elements using Illustrator.
Case study: Create logos for a gaming design studio and a specific game.
Furry Fury is based on the game concept of little furry characters bouncing off the walls creating chaos while accomplishing the game’s missions with their spastic traits. I used bright, attention-getting colors for the characters and logo to represent massive amounts of energy these balls of fury come with.
Programs used: After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator
Animated Ad
Promo Poster
Character + logo sketches, to final digital render
Case study: In my spare time I like to sketch situations in my life and see where I can take them digitally. In this illustration I digitized my 14 year old pug dog, Winston. He didn’t have the use of his back legs due to a degenerative disease, so I wanted to put him in a fun environment where this didn’t matter. I then took my animation and illustrated it, but let’s keep it our little secret since he’s afraid of heights.
Programs used: Illustrator, After Effects
Case study: Lucky enough to live near the ocean and whales, I’m able to see nature at it’s finest. But sometimes you just feel the need to illustrate a Public Service Announcement when seeing what our human presence tends to do to the landscape.
Programs used: Photoshop, Illustrator
Sketches to digital render
Case study: Incorporating animation principles to design a fun, mini travel guide showcasing five fun things to do in my emerald city hometown, I used a combination of my own illustrations and stock graphics to make this piece.
Programs used: After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator
Sketches to digital render
my process starts with getting my ideas out the pen and paper way and then translating this to digital format with my trusty computer pen.
Case study: Taxes – everyone’s favorite topic! As an experienced tax accountant I’ve become familiar with complicated resources and technical legalese, so I wanted to design helpful guides with visuals to make this topic easier to understand.
I created a character, Terry the Tax T-Rex, to walk the viewer through different pieces of the tax puzzle and to make the process seem less daunting. I incorporated spacing as a way to allow the information to be absorbed in a more digestible manner. See both the comprehensive booklet and summary infographic below.
Programs used: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator
Sketches to digital render
and because tax needs a mascot, meet Terry the Tax T-Rex
