My strength as a graphic designer lies in my knack for puzzles and determination when faced with challenges.
About
Finding graphic design, finding myself
My graphic design journey began when I took a class in high school and continued when I started working at Ka Leo, the newspaper at the University of Hawaiʻi, as a designer for the advertising department. I eventually became the advertising manager, despite not going to school for graphic design at the time. I later had a summer internship at the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design yet still had not figured out that my career path laid within graphic design.
I took a few years off school to get into the work force and figure out the bills part of adulting while I tried to find my way. Eventually, I found the hobby of quilting, and the process of designing and building a quilt made me realize what my strengths are and how to use them: visual puzzles and problem-solving.
Design Philosophy
Good design requires just as much science and analysis as it does heart and instinct. Perhaps this view reflects my UX/UI training and subsequent bias. I truly believe that in order for a design to be “good” it must not only follow established visual principles but also be useful to the viewer. It must accomplish what it sets out to, whether that is creating a brand that reflects a company’s personality, showcasing artwork, or advertising a mobile app launch.
When I approach a design, I start with why it is needed and ensure that every design choice aligns with the established goal. I consider the context in which it will be viewed and/or used, the reason the viewer is taking the time to engage with the design, what the viewer and client can gain from the design, and the overall feel and impact the visual has on the viewer. It is a lot to consider all at once, but I believe these considerations are necessary in creating successful designs.
Personality
I am an incredibly driven individual with a strong work ethic and personal initiative. I have a thirst for knowledge and frequently find myself diving into research that I can directly apply to my everyday life. I am always looking to learn from others - whether they be colleagues, friends, or mentors - to improve my own skills and competencies.
I am a passionate and opinionated individual, but I am also empathetic and compassionate. In situations of conflict, I often find myself acting as a peacekeeper - working to resolve, problem-solve, and move forward. I deeply value the opinion of colleagues and do not shy away from critique, often inviting it for the sake of the project and/or my own growth.
Education
I graduated high school with an International Baccalaureate diploma in 2016. I then attended the University of Hawaiʻi until 2019 in pursuit of a bachelor’s in anthropology with a minor in Islamic studies, but I did not finish the degree because I realized that career path would not make me happy in the long run.
I started at Southern New Hampshire University in the fall of 2022, pursuing a bachelor’s in graphic design with a concentration in UX/UI. I graduated in September of 2025 and have been fine-tuning my portfolio pieces ever since.
I attended the University of Phoenix in pursuit of a master’s in psychology and finished half of the program before discovering instructional design. I will more than likely return to finish the psychology master’s, but for now I am attending Eastern Kentucky University and am enrolled in the Instructional Design & Learning Technology program. UX/UI transfers to instructional design exceptionally well, and it has provided an abstract and theoretical challenge that has reignited my inner nerd.
Work Experience
When I first started at UH Mānoa, I got a job as an advertising graphic designer and was promoted to manager a year later. My skills with Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, project management, and time management saw drastic development during that time.
I had a summer graphic design internship at the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design where I learned a lot about brand consistency, event planning, social media planning.
After leaving UH Mānoa, I worked as a server at multiple restaurants. I moved to Oklahoma in 2020 and continued to work as a server. I then moved to Alabama in search of familial support and worked a few odd jobs during that time. I have lived in northern Florida for the past 4 years and was out of work during that time. I was living with my now ex-fiancé, and the fact that I did not have a job is one of the reasons I left that relationship.
I am incredibly excited to start this new chapter and get back into the workforce!
Skills
I have advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite, website builders, Microsoft Office, and Google Suite. I have proficient skills in Figma, Affinity, social media platforms, event planning, marketing strategy, and interviewing. I have excellent skills in interpersonal and written communication, conflict resolution, time management, research, project management, and problem-solving.
While my concentration is in UX/UI, I do not have a section for those projects at the moment because they were all built and prototyped in Adobe XD which I do not currently have access to. I am working on redoing some of the UI elements and all of the prototyping for those projects in Figma.
Career Goals
I want to pair my degree in graphic design with my eventual degree in instructional design to impact the world of education. I want to understand the ins-and-outs of cognitive and neurological development to create tools that benefit children and adults of all ages. The market for eLearning is already vast yet still growing, and my goal is to leverage my strengths in visual and interactive design, abstract thinking, and problem-solving to have a positive impact on the industry.