Current Projects
In 2018, I began a collaborative project focused on the development of "The Storyteller" app. This application has evolved from its initial concept to a fully operational platform, currently serving a user base of 212,000, Apple and Android users. My role includes generating daily inspirational content as well as participating in the planning and budgeting processes for new feature implementations. I have also worked closely with the development team, thus becoming involved in the user interface and user experience (UI/UX) elements of the application. Concurrently, I have had a role in shaping the marketing and promotional approaches for the app. The project, which remains self-funded, continues to be updated with new features to address user requirements.
In my current MFA thesis project, "Hyperpaths: Exploring Versatility in Hypertext Experiences for Digital Well-Being," I am developing a series of web-based hypertext games. These games aim to offer calming experiences and are designed to be easily accessible via standard web browsers. My research focuses on making these games suitable for people with different cognitive abilities and neurotypes, a topic that is personally relevant to me as a neurodivergent gamer. The overarching goal of the project is to empower users by providing them with an accessible way to experience agency. The project incorporates studies in hypertext theory and aims to reach a broad audience while being inclusive of various cognitive and neurological differences.
Generative AI Art Custom Datasets
Since 2021, I have been researching how artists can create their own data sets for use in generative AI art projects. The displayed works include both my original acrylic paintings on paper and the AI-generated images based on these paintings. The AI images were created using machine learning models trained on scanned versions of my artworks. I have also created a series of "checkpoints," which are progress markers in my ongoing study of how artists can effectively train their own data sets for AI art creation. This research was formalized in “Generative AI and Algorithmic Art: Disrupting the Framing of Meaning and Rethinking the Subject-Object Dilemma,” which I co-authored with Dr. James Hutson from Lindenwood University.
Select Corporate Collaborations
For the Google Pixel 2022 Feature Drop, I was commissioned to design three exclusive pieces aimed at elevating the conversation around People With Disabilities Month—a subject personally meaningful to me as a disabled individual myself. My role was multi-faceted and involved a comprehensive approach to design, user experience, and communications.
Starbucks
For Starbucks, I created and illustrations and wrote the creative copy for a set of AR filters called “Morning Mantras.” While I worked with a team that put the filters together, I was responsible for implementing them. I conducted user testing to make sure the filters were usable. I also created social media assets and was involved with PR to promote the filters.
Skillshare
For Skillshare, I collaborated with a producer to architect a comprehensive course on digital art creation via iPad. We engaged in extensive pedagogical planning, delineating specific learner outcomes to cater to various proficiency levels. The instructional material was strategically captured during a two-day filming session in Atlanta, Georgia.
Apple
For Apple, I contributed to two distinct campaigns for Black History Month in 2022, specifically for Apple Podcasts and Apple Books. Following Apple's design guidelines, I illustrated and designed media assets that were subsequently featured live on the Apple Podcasts platform. In addition to the creative aspects, I also served as a guest curator, selecting noteworthy podcasts and books that aligned with the thematic focus of the campaigns.
KIND Snacks
From 2021 to 2022, I served as the first Artist-in-Residence for KIND Snacks, where I specialized in motion graphics while strictly adhering to the brand's design guidelines. My scope of work included designing a mural for a farmers market, generating various media assets for multiple projects, and composing extensive creative copy centered around the theme of kindness.
Target
For a Target collection, I collaborated with a team to develop a series of wall art pieces that were distributed and sold nationwide. The project entailed meticulous planning and file preparation for production and retail display. The collection gained prominent visibility, being featured in the Target app and showcased on end caps within physical stores.
Hallmark
Since 2021, I have been collaborating with Hallmark across a diverse range of product categories, serving multiple roles as a writer, illustrator, and graphic designer. My responsibilities extend to public relations and campaign promotion. These products are widely distributed across various retail channels. On the technical front, considerable effort goes into the calibration of color schemes, thematic elements, and textual content to ensure alignment with brand standards and consumer engagement.
Paul Mitchell
For Paul Mitchell, I contributed to a detailed holiday set campaign with global reach. My role was multifaceted, encompassing digital painting, illustration, file preparation, and color palette optimization. I engaged in several rounds of creative copywriting and took part in PR activities, including public speaking and storytelling. The project also involved collaboration with the non-profit Baby2Baby and included a mural design.
Adobe
I've had multiple collaborations with Adobe across a diverse set of projects, making the partnership a natural fit given my extensive use of Adobe tools. My contributions range from participating in live streams during Adobe Max to crafting motion graphics and scriptwriting for International Women's Day. Over the years, I've also been involved in promotional activities highlighting various Adobe apps and features