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Illustrated Portraits
Check out my portrait business, Melody's Portraits, where I take one or more photos of people and pets, and use them to create unique, personalized digital, mixed media, and oil-painted portraits.
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I collaborated with the author, Pasha Utt, on illustrating the now published children's book, The Hangry Lady.

 

This laugh-out-loud story follows Mrs. Margaret, a kind lady with a big heart....until her growling tummy sends her on a snack-fueled adventure through the mall. Her quest is hilarious, colorful and full of heart. Will she find a snack in time, or will her hangry side take over completely?

Click here to view the posting on Amazon!

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Package Design

The objective was to curate a collection of five items and devise an innovative packaging solution for them. Recognizing rice as a delicious yet easily over-consumed food, I aimed to address portion control concerns while promoting enjoyment and proper nutrition awareness. Click the link to learn more about my journey inventing this solution.

Pigtail Pals is a Barbie hairstyling head that was remarketed to single dads that would like to learn how to braid their daughters' hair. 

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Alpha Oil is designed to simplify beard care and enhance the appearance of beards, ensuring they always looks their best.

Game Design
I'm Eating That?!
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Most people know that ultra-processed foods are harmful to their health, but don’t actually know the aspects of these foods that makes them detrimental. “I’m Eating That?!” is a trivia game that educates players on the strange and disturbing facts regarding ultra-processed foods and also brings to their attention various types of industrial ingredients - many people haven’t even heard of. Through this game, players have the opportunity to enlighten themselves, and may consider rewriting their grocery list.

View more images and information here!

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Memory Lane is a board game I designed to help people reconnect with their wonderfully weird, authentic selves through creativity and laughter.

 

Featuring 90 delightfully absurd activities—like sculpting other players or imitating your favorite TV character—the game celebrates silliness and sparks joy.

 

Each element of Memory Lane was thoughtfully crafted to embrace playful design, vibrant visuals, and a touch of nostalgia. It’s more than a game; it’s an invitation to unleash your inner child and create unforgettable moments. Take a peek at the design process and see how fun and creativity come to life!

View more images and information here!

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InDesign Project
The History of Ballpoint Pens

In Typography 1, our second project explored the intersection of design, history, and innovation. Working in groups of three, we were tasked with selecting an inexpensive yet revolutionary invention from the 20th century. My group chose the ballpoint pen and the word "scribble." We then selected a typeface and used our chosen item to create “pixels” to construct our word in that typeface. As a team, we built the physical installation and photographed it for use in the next phase.

 

The second half of the project was completed individually. Using our photographs, I designed a brochure that provided both visual and historical context for the ballpoint pen. The brochure showcases the evolution of this groundbreaking invention, blending striking imagery of the installation with engaging typography and research-driven content. This project was a rewarding exercise in collaboration, design thinking, and storytelling through type.

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Our first project in Typography 1 focused on creating a type specimen book through in-person exploration and photography. The process began with capturing 104 photos of type, four for each letter of the alphabet, by observing package designs, signage, book covers, and more. To gather these images, we explored Tampa’s stores, searched our pantries, and used creative methods to uncover unique examples of type in our surroundings. After editing our photographs, we designed visually compelling tab pages for each letter, ensuring the focus remained on the letterforms themselves. For the specimen pages, we analyzed the anatomy of each letterform, deepening our understanding of type design and its practical applications. This project was a valuable exercise in observation, creativity, and typography fundamentals.

UTampa Virtual Exhibition 2023 Catalog

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In Graphic Design 1, we collaborated with the Museum Practicum class to design a catalog for their Virtual Exhibition. The class provided a design brief, along with images and an essay, and tasked us with creating a professional museum catalog. The exhibition focused on contemporary artworks, primarily post-1950, to tell a story about the impact of human interaction with the environment.

When designing the catalog, my primary goal was to enhance readability and viewer engagement. I structured the essay into digestible sections to hold the reader's attention and used minimal design elements to maintain focus on the artwork and narrative. This project challenged me to balance aesthetics and functionality while expanding my skills in Adobe InDesign. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to refine my design approach and contribute to a meaningful collaboration.

Rebranding
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The Carl Company rebranding project reimagines the beloved department store, originally founded in 1891 in Schenectady, NY, with a focus on preserving its rich history and community-centered traditions. Growing up near Schenectady, I was inspired to rebrand this local business to honor its legacy and create a fresh, modern identity. Known for unique features like a basement cafeteria, live organist, and fashion shows, the revitalized store will reopen in Saratoga, NY, blending vintage charm with modern appeal. The new design concept incorporates an industrial vintage aesthetic, reflecting the company’s roots in Schenectady’s industrial era, while introducing fresh elements like a speakeasy-style restaurant and expanded events. With a curated selection of clothing, household goods, and engaging experiences, the Carl Company aims to become a one-stop destination for families, young professionals, and visitors alike.

The Carl Company Rebrand

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Paula Scher Reasearch and Application

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In the Fall 2023 semester, I took a course about the history of graphic design. One enlightening lecture focused on renowned designers navigating the early stages of the digital revolution. Among them was Paula Scher, a true maestro known for crafting iconic brand identities such as The Public Theater, Highline, Shake Shack, and the Windows 8 logos. Intrigued by her mastery, I immersed myself in her world after watching an excerpt from her Netflix Abstract episode.

 

What struck me most was Scher's tactile approach to graphic design, a distinctive quality that resonated deeply. Inspired by her innovative methods, I chose to explore Paula Scher's design philosophy for my final paper. This journey not only broadened my understanding of graphic design history but also ignited a newfound appreciation for the power of tactile creativity in the digital age.

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Little Island Logo Redesign

 While researching Paula Scher and drawing five key lessons from her graphic design approach, I decided to apply the lessons learned to redesign the current Little Island logo. Little Island was recently opened in 2021 and is located at Pier 55 on the Hudson River in West Manhattan. The island is placed on these pillars which are called tulips to give the illusion that the island is floating above the water. The island also gives locals the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and music. Feel free to browse through the several logo variations and mockups.

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