TDuque-CDE3180

At Elon's AIGA After Effects Workshop, students had the opportunity to explore the art of motion design through a hands-on animation session. The session introduced students to Adobe After Effects through a creative, Halloween-themed project that incorporated playful, spooky visuals. It was a fun way to explore new design techniques while learning the fundamentals of motion and animation using After Effects.  Throughout the session, students learned how to bring flat designs to life. They animated eyeballs that bobbed and looked around, made liquid slosh come to life using the Warp Wave effect, and created bubbles that floated and popped at the top of the jar. Using the Puppet Warp tool, students also made a poison tag gently sway and added a final touch of candle flames flickering.  Beyond technical skills, the workshop provided a glimpse into the collaborative and fast-paced nature of professional design environments. Students helped one another troubleshooting effects, simi...

This image from Hard Jewelry’s fourth anniversary magazine captures everything that defines the brand: edgy, rebellious, and unapologetic. The design shows a close-up of a mouth biting down on several of Hard Jewelry's silver jewelry pieces that they sell. The most prominent being their “Psycho” Pendant, and the other being their “Down Your Throat” pendant. This visual isn't just part of an advertisement; it's more of a statement. Included as a gift with any purchase during the brand's anniversary drop, the magazine feels more like a collectible work of art than a superficial promotional extra. Each page is a new, yet familiar experience; they all tie into one another and carry similar vibes.  What captivates me the most about this design is how it transforms their jewelry from an object into an attitude, gritty and edgy. Hard jewelry doesn't just sell accessories; it sells identity and originality. The company's scope expands beyond necklaces and rings into hoo...

At Don’t Be a Stranger, a networking event hosted by Elon University's School of Communications, I had the opportunity to connect with several notable alumni excelling in their careers. Networking is always the number one piece of advice I hear, especially at networking events, but this time, two conversations truly stood out.  One was with Aarti Rishi, who works in Brand Marketing at Grubhub and is a former member of Elon News Network. Her advice was simple yet effective: to take advantage of every opportunity available to you as a student. She emphasized that many of these experiences are free, easily accessible, and made to help you build your skills and resume. More importantly, they offer you real-life examples to share in interviews and demonstrate that you’ve gone beyond the classroom to learn and grow. The second piece of advice came from Daniela Pereyra, a Real Estate Broker and Investor, who spoke about the importance of confidence. She explained that confidence should no...

Tell Me Tell Me isn’t just another pub— it’s a cozy British spot right in the heart of the West Village. Think dark wood paneling, a warm fireplace, and the smell of classic pub grub that instantly makes you hungry. Whether an ex-pat catching the big match, a student looking for a hearty meal, or anyone who enjoys a great selection of beers on tap, Tell Me is the place to be.  This entire branding project was created as part of a class assignment, where I was challenged to develop a full logo concept rooted in storytelling. Run by a British ex-pat and his American wife, this mom-and-pop spot blends authenticity with a welcoming, energetic vibe. It’s not about being fancy, it’s about good food, good drinks, and a good time! This is the exact energy I wanted to translate to the logo. Initial Iterations The first iteration leaned on a stamp-style mark. Clean, yes. Memorable? Not really. This design felt too cliche for a pub with lots of character. So, back to the sketchbook I we...