T-Shirt Designs

Designing wearable graphics using color constraints and strong visual principles

Quick Summary

This project focused on creating three original t-shirt designs using strict color limitations (1-color, 2-color, and 3-color). The goal was to explore how color, composition, and simplification impact readability and print quality in apparel design.

Problem

 

T-shirt graphics must balance creativity with production constraints. Unlike digital-only designs, they need to:

  • Work with limited color palettes

  • Maintain clarity when printed on fabric

  • Be visually impactful from a distance

The challenge was to create three distinct designs while progressively increasing color complexity (1, 2, and 3 colors) without losing clarity or visual strength. 
Role + Constraints

Role: Graphic Designer

Constraints:

  • 3 designs total:

    • 1-color design

    • 2-color design

    • 3-color design

  • Use of custom typography

  • Demonstrate mastery of:

    • Pathfinder & Shape Builder

    • Pen and Brush tools

  • Designs needed to be high-quality and wearable

Process
1. Ideation & Thumbnails

  • I brainstormed multiple concepts and created thumbnail sketches to explore:

    • Layout and composition

    • Use of typography

    • Visual hierarchy

    This helped identify which ideas would translate best to apparel.

 

 

2. Designing With Color Constraints

Each design required a different approach:

  • 1-Color Design

    • Focused on strong silhouette and contrast

    • Relied heavily on shape and negative space

  • 2-Color Design

    • Introduced hierarchy and depth

    • Used contrast to separate elements

  • 3-Color Design

    • Allowed for more complexity

    • Required balance to avoid visual clutter

3. Refinement & Tool Application

Using Illustrator, I refined each design by:

  • Cleaning up vector paths

  • Simplifying shapes for print

  • Using Pathfinder and Shape Builder to construct forms

  • Applying Pen and Brush tools for precision

4. Critique & Iteration

After presenting the designs for critique, I identified areas for improvement such as:

  • Enhancing readability

  • Adjusting spacing and composition

  • Strengthening contrast

I revised the designs based on feedback to improve overall quality.

Solution

The final set of t-shirt designs:

  • Successfully use limited color palettes without losing impact

  • Balance creativity with functionality

  • Demonstrate strong composition and visual hierarchy

Why This Works

  • Color limitations forced intentional design decisions

  • Bold shapes improve visibility and wearability

  • Simplified graphics translate better to screen printing

 

 

Results

  • Created 3 fully developed, print-ready designs

  • Demonstrated technical proficiency in Illustrator tools

  • Successfully presented and iterated based on critique

  • Produced portfolio-ready apparel concepts

What I Learned

This project strengthened my ability to:

  • Design within real-world production constraints

  • Simplify visuals without losing meaning

  • Use color strategically instead of decoratively

 Contact

Interested in custom apparel or graphic design work?

Let’s collaborate — [email protected]

Simple Character Design & Animation

Designing and animating a character using simple shapes and expressive motion

 

Quick Summary

This project involved creating an original character using simple shapes and animating it in After Effects. The focus was on developing a clean, recognizable design and bringing it to life through motion.

Problem

Creating a simple character requires balancing:

  • Minimal design with strong personality

  • Clarity with expressiveness

  • A static design that can also work in motion

The challenge was to design a character that remains visually clear while also supporting engaging animation.

Role + Constraints

Role: Character Designer & Animator

Tools:

  • Adobe Illustrator

  • Adobe After Effects

Constraints:

  • Character built using simple shapes

  • 10-second animation

  • Must include interesting movement

  • Original design required

  • Presented for critique

Process
1. Character Concept
 

I defined the character’s:

  • Personality

  • Mood

  • Visual style

This ensured the design had intention before animation.

2. Shape-Based Design
 

The character was built using:

  • Basic geometric shapes

  • Clean vector lines

  • Minimal details for clarity

3. Animation Development
 

In After Effects, I animated the character to:

  • Create engaging, natural movement

  • Reinforce the character’s personality

  • Keep motion clear and readable within 10 seconds

4. Critique & Refinement
 

After presenting the animation, I refined:

  • Timing and pacing

  • Movement clarity

  • Overall fluidity

Solution

The final result is a:

  • Clean, simple character design

  • 10-second animation with engaging motion

  • Balanced combination of design + movement

Why This Works

  • Simple shapes improve recognition and scalability

  • Clean design translates well into animation

  • Movement enhances personality without overcomplicating the design

Results

  • Created an original animated character

  • Demonstrated understanding of both design and motion principles

  • Successfully met all project constraints and critique requirements

What I Learned

This project helped me:

  • Understand how design decisions affect animation

  • Simplify visuals for both static and motion use

  • Combine illustration and motion design effectively

Contact

Looking for character design or motion work?

Get in touch — [email protected]

Helping Hands App


UX/UI Case Study

Summary

Helping Hands is a mobile app designed to help families organize and manage household responsibilities more effectively. The main problem I wanted to solve was the lack of clear communication and organization when it comes to assigning and completing chores within a household. Many families struggle to keep track of tasks, which can lead to confusion and frustration.

The target users for this app are parents and children who need a simple and easy way to manage daily responsibilities. My role in this project was UX/UI designer, where I was responsible for research, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design.

To begin, I created task scenarios and explored how users would interact with the app. I then developed low-fidelity wireframes to map out the user flow and overall structure. After that, I designed high-fidelity screens that focused on clarity, usability, and a clean layout. I made design decisions based on keeping navigation simple and making tasks easy to assign and track.

Throughout the process, I tested my design and gathered feedback, which helped me improve navigation and user flow. For example, I identified the need for clearer navigation and added improvements such as better organization of tasks and more intuitive screen transitions.

The final result is a user-friendly app that simplifies chore management and improves communication within families. This project helped me strengthen my skills in UX design, especially in creating user-centered solutions and refining designs based on feedback.

Problem Statement

Families struggle to organize and track household tasks efficiently, leading to confusion and poor communication.

Target User

Parents and children who need a simple and effective way to manage chores.

My Role

UX/UI Designer

  • Research

  • Wireframing

  • Prototyping

  • Visual Design

Process Images

Final UI Screens

 

Key Design Decisions

  • Simplified navigation for ease of use

  • Clear task organization

  • Minimal design for readability

 

Reflection

This project taught me the importance of user-centered design and testing. I learned how valuable feedback is in improving usability and how small changes can make a big difference in the user experience.

 

Contact

Looking for character design or motion work?

Get in touch — [email protected]

MTEC Digital Design Mascot

Designing a symbolic mascot that represents creativity, tools, and the foundation of digital thinking

Quick Summary
I Designed a mascot for MTECH’s Digital Media program that visually represents where creativity originates. By combining a skull (symbolizing the mind), a color wheel, and essential design tools, the final concept communicates both the creative process and the technical skills used in digital design.
Problem

MTECH’s Digital Media program needed a mascot that could:

  • Represent both creativity and technical skill

  • Feel engaging and memorable to students

  • Visually communicate what digital design is about

The challenge was to create a character that goes beyond surface-level visuals and instead reflects the core of creative thinking.

Role + Constraints

Role: Designer & Illustrator
Tools: Adobe Illustrator

Constraints:

  • Had to be created in Illustrator

  • Needed to present concept, process, and final design

  • Required clear connection to a specific MTECH program

Process
1. Concept Development

I explored ideas around what digital design really comes from. Instead of focusing only on external tools, I focused on the source of creativity—the mind.

This led to the core concept:

    • Skull → represents creative thinking and ideas

    • Color wheel → represents design fundamentals

    • Tools → represent execution and technical skill

    • Tools → represent execution and technical skill

2. Ideation (Thumbnails)

I sketched multiple concepts to explore different ways to combine symbolism and personality

From these thumbnail, I selected the concept that most clearly balanced:

      • Meaning

      • Visual clarity

      • Creativity

 
 
3. Design Development

I refined the selected concept in Illustrator, focusing on clean vector shapes and strong visual symbolism.

      • Integrated a color wheel styled like an orange slice
        → adds creativity + makes the concept more visually engaging

      • Incorporated design tools:

        • Stylus pen

        • Pen tool

        • Pencil tool

        • Paintbrush tool

        • Magic wand tool

      • Used bold, clean shapes for scalability and readability

      • Used a skull to represent the origin of creative thinking

      • Integrated a color wheel to highlight design fundamentals

      • Included tools to show the connection between idea and execution

Solution (Final Design)

      • The skull represents the origin of ideas and creative thinking

      • The color wheel (orange slice) emphasizes the importance of color in design

      • The tools highlight the technical skills used in digital media

The result is a mascot that visually communicates both conceptual thinking and hands-on design work.

Why This Works

This design is effective because it:

      • Connects concept (thinking) with execution (tools)

      • Uses recognizable design elements (color wheel, tools)

      • Balances creativity with clarity

      • Creates a memorable and unique identity for the program

Results

      • Successfully presented to class with full process

      • Demonstrated ability to:

        • Develop a concept from idea → execution

        • Use Illustrator to create clean vector artwork

        • Communicate meaning through design

Contact

Interested in branding, illustration, or mascot design?

Let’s work together — [email protected]

Sticker Design Set

Designing a themed sticker system for the expressive visual communication

 

Quick Summary

This project involved designing a set of 6 cohesive stickers based on a single theme. The goal was to create expressive, clean, and visually engaging designs that could be used for personal expression while maintaining consistency across the set.

Problem

Sticker design requires:

  • Strong visual clarity at small sizes

  • Consistency across multiple designs

  • A unified theme that connects the full set

The challenge was to design 6 stickers that feel like part of the same system while still being visually interesting on their own.

Role + Constraints

Role: Illustrator / Graphic Designer

Tools: Adobe Illustrator

Constraints:

  • 6 stickers total

  • One unified theme

  • Must include cut line

  • Must be clean, readable, and scalable

  • Must follow design principles

Process
1. Concept + Theme Development

I began by brainstorming multiple sticker themes such as:

  • Food

  • Technology

  • Characters

  • Symbolic objects

I selected a single theme to ensure consistency across all 6 designs.

2. Thumbnail Exploration
 

I sketched a few thumbnail ideas and selected the strongest 6 based on:

  • Clarity

  • Theme consistency

  • Visual balance

  • Personality

3. Vector Development

Using Illustrator, I refined each sticker by:

  • Converting sketches into clean vector shapes

  • Adding bold outlines for readability

  • Ensuring strong contrast

  • Maintaining consistent visual style across all stickers

4. Cute Line + Final Setup
 

Each sticker was placed on a 1000 x 1000 artboard and a cut line was added to prepare the designs for print or production.

Solution

The final sticker set includes 6 cohesive designs that:

  • Share a unified theme

  • Are visually consistent as a collection

  • Work clearly at small sizes

  • Are print-ready with proper cut lines

Why This Works

  • Strong consistency creates a recognizable sticker “system”

  • Simple shapes improve readability

  • Bold outlines help with production clarity

 
Results

  • Completed a full 6-piece sticker system

  • Applied Illustrator tools for clean vector work

  • Demonstrated ability to design for real-world production

  • Successfully prepared files for critique and submission

What I Learned

This project strengthened my ability to:

  • Design within strict consistency rules

  • Simplify visuals for small-scale formats

  • Build cohesive visual systems instead of single illustrations

Contact
Interested in sticker design or custom illustration work?

Let’s connect — [email protected]

Client Project: Domain Construction Brand Identity Extension

Refining an existing logo into scalable vector artwork and extending the client's brand through a professional construction sign designed for real-world marketing

Quick Summary

Domain Construction needed a professional construction sign that could be displayed at completed remodeling projects. The client provided an existing logo that needed to be converted into a scalable vector graphic before being incorporated into a clean, easy-to-read sign design.

The Problem

The client had an existing logo that was not optimized for large-format print applications. They also needed a construction sign that would promote their business at completed job sites while maintaining a professional appearance and clear communication.

My Role

I was responsible for:

  • Recreating the logo as a scalable vector graphic
  • Preparing artwork suitable for print production
  • Designing the construction sign layout
  • Organizing company branding and contact information
  • Creating a design that would remain readable from a distance
Process

I began by recreating the client’s logo as a vector graphic in Adobe Illustrator. Converting the logo to vector format ensured it could be scaled to any size without losing quality.

After rebuilding the logo, I designed the sign layout around the company’s branding. I organized the headline, website, email address, and phone numbers into a clear visual hierarchy that would be easy for potential customers to read quickly while passing by a job site.

Throughout the design process, I focused on readability, balance, and creating a professional appearance that reflected the quality of the company’s work.

Solution

The final design featured a clean layout with strong typography, clear contact information, and the newly vectorized logo. The sign was designed to function as both project identification and ongoing advertising for the construction company.

Results
  • Created a fully scalable vector version of the company logo
  • Produced a professional print-ready construction sign
  • Improved brand consistency across marketing materials
  • Delivered a design that clearly communicates company information to potential customers
Tools Used
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Vector Illustration
  • Typography
  • Layout Design
  • Print Design
What I Learned

This project gave me valuable experience working with a real client and adapting an existing brand for print applications. I learned the importance of vector graphics for large-format printing and how effective layout design can improve communication and visibility in outdoor advertising.

Contact

Interested in branding, logo illustration, or marketing your business?

Let’s connect — [email protected]

Client project: HVAC Startup Branding & Business Card Design

Refining a client-provided concept into professional vector artwork and creating a cohesive visual identity through logo refinement and business card design.

Quick Summary

A newly established HVAC company needed a professional visual identity to help launch its business and build credibility with potential customers. The project included designing a custom logo and creating a business card that would serve as one of the company’s first marketing materials. The final deliverables provided the client with a cohesive brand identity that could be used across print and digital platforms.

The Problem

The client was launching a new HVAC company and had generated an initial logo concept using AI. While the concept helped communicate the direction they wanted to take, the artwork was not suitable for professional branding or print applications.

The client needed a designer to refine the concept, recreate it as a clean vector graphic, and develop supporting marketing materials that could be used consistently across their business.

My Role

I was responsible for:

  • Evaluating the client’s AI-generated concept
  • Rebuilding the artwork as a scalable vector graphic
  • Refining shapes, typography, and overall composition
  • Creating a professional business card design
  • Preparing print-ready files for future marketing use
Process

I began by analyzing the client’s AI-generated logo concept and identifying areas that needed refinement. The original image served as inspiration, but it required significant cleanup and reconstruction to function as a professional brand mark.

Using Adobe Illustrator, I recreated the logo as vector artwork, refining proportions, simplifying details, and improving overall balance and readability. Once the logo was finalized, I developed a business card that carried the same visual identity and created a cohesive brand presentation.

Throughout the project, I focused on creating a clean, professional look that would help establish credibility for a new business entering a competitive industry.

Solution

The final solution included a custom logo and professionally designed business card that established a strong foundation for the company’s brand. The designs were created to be versatile, allowing the business to use them across marketing materials, uniforms, vehicles, social media, and future advertising.

 

Results
  • Created a custom logo tailored to the HVAC industry
  • Developed a cohesive visual identity for a startup business
  • Designed a professional business card ready for print production
  • Provided the client with branding assets that support future growth
Tools Used
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Vector Illustration
  • Typography
  • Print Design
What I Learned

This project helped me gain experience creating a brand from the ground up and working directly with a client to translate their vision into a professional visual identity. I learned the importance of creating flexible branding systems that can grow alongside a business and remain effective across multiple applications.

Client Testimonial

Kayla Janae helped us create a logo and business card for our company. She was very helpful throughout the whole process creating our vision and bringing it to life. She is very thorough with her work and pays attention to great detail. She made us feel involved every step of the way and I would recommend her to everyone I know for all of their design needs.

We’ve enjoyed working with her so much that she’s working on our business website, and we can’t wait to see what she comes up with. We appreciate you!

Contact

Interested in branding, or logo design for your business?

Let’s connect — [email protected]