My Graphic Design Journey

Overview  Ms. Cryss is more than a static document—she’s a living representation of my brand’s voice, mission, and aspirations. Let’s break down why crafting a persona like this can transform your design and marketing process: Why You Need a Marketing Persona Clarify Your Goals A persona puts your goals into perspective, making aligning your messaging with your mission easier. For instance, Ms. Cryss emphasizes personal transformation, creativity, and community-building—core aspects of my brand. Understand Your Audience Even if you’re crafting a persona for yourself, this process highlights what resonates with your ideal audience. It allows you to step into their shoes and design with empathy. Create Targeted Content Your blog posts, designs, and social media content become more focused with a clear persona. Ms. Cryss's identifi ed personality traits and motivations guide my content to ensure consistency and relevance. Overcome Challenges A persona identifies potential...

The Art of Skin: Exploring Texture in Tattoos and Graphic Design (By Ms. Cryss) Texture is one of the most fascinating and versatile elements of design. Whether in graphic design or tattoo artistry, texture plays a vital role in creating depth, emotion, and storytelling. As a graphic design student at Kaiser University and a tattoo apprentice under the renowned Torsten Malm, I’ve come to appreciate how texture transforms a blank canvas—whether digital or human—into a compelling narrative. As a disabled veteran, my experiences have shaped my creative approach. I see texture as an artistic tool and a way to reflect life’s complexity. The interplay of roughness and smoothness, grit and softness, echoes resilience and healing—a theme that resonates deeply with my journey and the stories I aim to tell through my art. What Is Texture in Design? Texture is the surface quality of an object or image. It can be tactile (something you can feel) or visual (something that looks like it could be f...

Introduction: How often do we pause to explore the * why * behind life’s unexpected events? Regina Pacelli’s *Whole Lotta Creativity Going On* encourages readers to do just that with Exercise 12, presenting a simple yet vivid scenario: Elaine trips while jogging in a park on a sunny mid-summer's day, resulting in injuries requiring stitches. The challenge? To brainstorm at least 20 possible causes for her fall within 20 minutes.  At first glance, this might seem like a straightforward exercise. But as I dove in, I realized how much room there is for creativity and reflection when imagining a moment’s infinite possibilities. The Scenario Unfolded: With no fixed details about Elaine, the park, or the day—except the sunlight and her injuries—the possibilities felt endless. Was she a seasoned jogger or a novice? Was the park pristine or neglected? Each decision influenced my list of reasons. Here’s what I came up with: 1. She was chased by a dog.   2. The sidewalks were uneven. ...

Overview When we think about the elements of design, it’s easy to focus on line, color, or composition. However, one element often overlooked, yet absolutely fundamental, is value —the lightness or darkness of a color. In a breathtaking image featuring a lone tree standing amidst chaotic waves and contrasting skies, value takes center stage. This visual masterpiece offers profound lessons for artists, designers, and tattoo apprentices alike on how to use value to craft impactful, meaningful designs. Understanding Value as a Design Element Value is what gives a design depth, contrast, and emotional resonance. It is not just about light and dark; it’s about how these contrasts guide the eye, set the mood, and bring flat images to life. In this artwork, value becomes a storytelling device, transforming a visually striking image into one that resonates deeply with its audience. 1. Contrast: Creating Drama and Focus The immediate impact of this image lies in its dramatic contrast. The scene...

  A View from the Top: My Empire State Building Adventure Standing atop one of the most iconic buildings in the world is an experience I will never forget. The Empire State Building, a marvel of Art Deco architecture, provided me with panoramic views of New York City that were nothing short of awe-inspiring. Armed with my camera, I captured snapshots from all sides, each revealing a unique facet of the city. The Journey to the Top The elevator ride itself was a thrill—a swift ascent to the 86th-floor observation deck. As I stepped out, I was greeted by the cool breeze and an unfiltered view of the bustling metropolis below. It felt like being in a world apart, suspended above the city’s vibrant energy. Exploring the Views I made sure to circle the observation deck, capturing photos from various angles. Here’s what I saw: To the North: A sprawling expanse of Midtown Manhattan with landmarks like Central Park and the George Washington Bridge visible in the distance. This view highlig...

  Creativity Exercise 11 Background This week we are on creativity exercise number 11 in Regina Pacelli’s Whole Lotta Creativity Going On . For this exercise we are asked to complete the following phrases: “Daniel always bit his tongue when…” “When the roof started leaking, the family jumped for joy because…” “An incredible number of squirrels were spotted in Jack’s backyard this morning…” My Responses Daniel always bit his tongue when chewing gum. The family jumped for joy when the roof started leaking because it was time to move. An incredible number of squirrels were spotted in Jack’s backyard this morning, having an acorn party. ChatGPT Responses I have been working with ChatGPT for the duration of my graphic design program at Keiser University thus far. I have found it to be very useful as an assistant and a study partner due to my hectic schedule as a working mother.  Sometimes I just say the first thing that comes to mind because otherwise I sometimes myself going back ...

Form: The Connection Between Art, Movement, and Design Form is one of the fundamental elements of design, transforming flat shapes into something dynamic and tangible. It’s about creating depth, structure, and interaction within a space. As a graphic design student, tattoo apprentice, and Pilates teacher, I see form not just in art but in the human body and movement. What is Form in Design? In graphic design, form gives life to flat surfaces. By using light, shadow, and perspective, we create visuals that feel real and engaging. But form is more than making something look good—it’s about how every element interacts and flows within a design. That same principle applies to tattoos and Pilates. Form in Tattoos Tattoos are living art, shaped by the body’s natural form. A design that wraps around the forearm or flows with the curve of the shoulder becomes more than just an image—it becomes a part of the wearer. When designing tattoos, I think about how the art moves with the person. A mand...