Consumed by creative passion, I am a designer dedicated to capturing the inherent beauty in the ordinary. I strive to showcase diversity and to embrace all forms of authenticity in my creative projects. I advocate for intentional design and expression, embodying principles of integrity, inclusivity, diversity, sustainability, open communication, collaboration, and an ongoing dedication to learning. Through my creative pursuits in design and photography, I endeavor to craft visual narratives that not only connect people but also celebrate the diverse richness of human experiences.
graphic design
katie coil brand identity the darling brand manual aiga get out the vote senior show campaign willi smith street couture 2023 creation care campaign global communities how to style illustration
photography
fisherman era photoshoot
uptown girl photoshoot ragazze al mare photoshoot
katie coil portfolio 2024
Katie coil brand identitY
Katie coil brand identitY
design challenge
Design your own professional brand identity. It must authentically and memorably evoke your brand essence. Done well, it will provide competitive advantage to position you from others in the field. It should describe succinctly who you are, what you do, and what makes you distinctive and different.
design solution
The brand promises to deliver a distinctive and inclusive design experience, underpinned by intentionality, creativity, and innovation. By leveraging a diverse array of visual art mediums such as photography, layout, typography, and illustration, the brand aims to craft designs that not only stand out but also resonate with a broad audience. The commitment to inclusivity is reflected in the deliberate incorporation of various artistic elements, ensuring that the designs are accessible and relatable to a diverse clientele.
client Katie Coil
typefaces
Arcon Interstate Light
Din Condensed (TT)
photography
Photos & Artwork
Collected from Previous Projects Featured in Potfolio
deliverables
Printed: Business card, letterhead, second sheet, #10 envelope, note card, and note card envelope
Rebrand a restaurant of your choice. Use a comprehensive design process including research, analysis, business strategy, and organization to create a brand identity program. Design the primary identity and apply it to a variety of brand touch points across media. Design a brand manual to understand who the brand is, what they stand for, and what they promise to deliver. Specify how to publish and fabricate elements of the brand identity system. This will guide how branded marketing materials are conceived and produced in the future.
design solution
This creative direction was rooted in creating a sophisticated and precious identity that mirrored the refined ambiance of the restaurant’s interior design. The concept aimed to seamlessly integrate the visual language of the brand with the luxurious atmosphere patrons experience within the space. The brand manual outlined a cohesive identity system, where the color palette, logo, and typography choices were carefully curated to reflect the elegance that is represented with The Darling. The simplicity and sophistication used for layout design support an intuitive understanding of the brand identity guidelines.
category Brand Manual
client
The Darling year
2023
typefaces
NT Epika Medium
Filosofia OT Regular & Small Caps
Tangier Bold
photography
Photos from Laurel Brasserie & Bar’s Instagram and Website
deliverables
Printed: Blurb 8.5” x 11” multipage Brand Manual
Digital: E-Publication through issuu.com
get vote
aiga get out the vote
design challenge
Use dynamic type, image, and message in a visually engaging way to design 2, 22” x 34” AIGA Get Out the Vote posters. These non-partisan posters should create awareness and excitement for the 2022 election. Think about the end-user experience to inform all design choices. These will be displayed across Caf Lane at PLNU to encourage students, faculty, staff and community to vote.
design solution
Connecting on an emotional level with my target audience was crucial. “Voting is in Style” draws inspiration from New York Fashion Week street photography. Collage techniques showcase diverse and vibrant styles, to communicate that voting as a civic engagement is cool! “Exercise Your Right to Vote,” used colorful shoes as an analogy for the diverse paths individuals take to the polling booth. Overall, the intent was to create visually striking posters to encourage a broad audience—especially my peers, to view voting as a stylish and empowering expression of personal identity and civic responsibility.
typefaces
HandWritten photography
New York Fashion Week
Selected from Pinterest
deliverables
Printed: 2—
22” x 34” Posters
Epson Printer
Typography
typefaces
HandWritten photography
Shoe Brand Images
Selected from Pinterest
deliverables
Printed: 2—
22” x 34” Posters
Epson Printer
2024 senior show campaign
2024 senior show campaign
design challenge
Design an engaging and cohesive event identity across media that announces our 2024 Senior Show. It must celebrate the Visual Arts and Graphic Design senior capstone work and experiences. The design must clearly inform, create a call to action, and capture the spirit of PLNU and its graduates.
design solution
This visually compelling solution celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of each senior artist and designer. Employing collage techniques, I integrated images from all participating seniors, forming a vibrant and cohesive visual representation of their individual styles and identities. The title “2024 Comrade Collective” was chosen to underscore the collaborative spirit of the senior class, our camaraderie and shared creative journey. The resulting campaign identity served not only as a promotional piece for the senior show but also as a visual testament to the rich tapestry of artistic voices within the class.
category
Senior Show Campaign
client PLNU
year 2024
typefaces
Din Condensed (OFT)
Light & Regular
Din Condensed (TT)
photography
Artist & Designers
Photographed from Social Media
deliverables
Printed: Poster, postcard, social media marquees: facebook graphic and instagram motion design
Epson Printer
Digital Social Media
willi smith street couture
cooper hewitt publication
design challenge
Design a promotional print publication to help the Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt Museum promote a collection of your choice. Assess the message and do research to inform your design direction. Use Adobe InDesign to create dynamic type, image and message in a visually engaging way. Use design principles with type (use paragraph and character styles), image, and a modular grid to arrange all elements. Design multiple iterations and refine. Think about the end-user experience to inform all design choices.
design solution
This Cooper Hewitt publication pays tribute to the Willi Smith: Street Couture collection. I focused on accentuating the innovative and influential fashion designs created by Smith. The publication aimed to provide readers with an immersive experience that not only showcased the aesthetics of Smith’s work but also conveyed the cultural significance of his street couture movement. I utilized striking photography to emphasize the details, textures, and vibrant color palettes that defined his creations. The overall intent was to communicate and celebrate Willi Smith’s groundbreaking contributions to the fashion world, fostering a deep appreciation for his unique vision and leaving a lasting impact on the reader.
client
Cooper Hewitt
year 2022
typefaces
Cooper Hewitt Heavy, Book, & SemiBold
photography
Cooper Hewitt Willi Smith
Collection Photo Library
deliverables
Printed: Newspaper Club
tabloid newsprint (289mm x 380mm)
Digital: Publication issuu.com
2023 creation care campaign
creation care campaign
design challenge
Using Design Thinking’s human-centered design approaches and methods to design a climate change awareness publication focusing on things humans need, want, or love and how climate change is impacting that topic. Explain what is currently being done collectively to mitigate climate change and share actions individuals can take. Use social science research findings to effectively communicate about climate change in a polarized world.
design solution
This design captured the inherent beauty and allure that make people cherish exploration and travel adventure. The imagery showcased picturesque landscapes, diverse cultures, and the joyous moments associated with travel all in one collective collage. I wanted to shed light on the sobering reality of climate change’s impact on travel. The juxtaposition of visually appealing scenes with informative and impactful messages encourage readers to appreciate the beauty of travel while fostering awareness about the environmental challenges. The goal was to inspire a sense of responsibility and mindfulness in readers, urging them to contribute to the preservation of the world’s beauty through sustainable and eco-conscious choices.
typefaces
Arzo Sans Black
Arcon Regular
photography
Travel Photos Abroad
Selected from Pinterest
deliverables
Printed: 2-page spread in Newspaper
Club Publication
global communities, inc.
global communities, inc.
internship term
The intern will be tasked with developing visual communication materials for both internal and external purposes. Responsibilities will include handling specific assignments and providing support for ongoing tasks. Projects may involve creating visual content like infographics, PowerPoint presentations, collages, and contributing to larger ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting Global Communities’ brand or programs through visual means.
internship outcomes
My internship included collaborating closely with Global Communities’ creative team to create visually engaging materials like informational publications, collages, infographics, and event notices. By focusing on clear communication and consistent branding, these materials effectively conveyed the organization’s mission and identity to various audiences. This approach aimed to contribute to a unified and impactful visual communication strategy for Global Communities.
client
Global Communities, Inc.
year 2023
typefaces
DM Sans Regular, Medium & Bold
photography
Global Communities, Inc. Photographers
deliverables
Informational Graphics, Publications, Documents, Event Announcements, etc.
Within the structue of the brand guidelines
how stYle illustration
how to stYle illustration
design challenge
Design a visual solution for your chosen topic, creating an 11x17” static infographic and an animated storyboard in Adobe After Effects. Utilize design principles, Photoshop, Illustrator, and ProCreate for a professional finish. Aim for clear communication and engaging visuals, following provided guidelines to enhance skills in visual communication, design, and animation. Use this project to design something effective, that will draw your targeted audience in and keep them watching.
design solution
I chose to feature my “paper dolls” concept inspired by Djerf Avenue’s classic styles. Using ProCreate, Adobe InDesign, and Photoshop, I created detailed illustrations of different garments from their clothing line and how to best pair them. The 11x17” static infographic showcases these styles with key details and styling tips, emphasizing clear communication and engagement. In Adobe After Effects, I animated a storyboard to bring the illustrations to life, demonstrating outfit versatility through subtle movements. This visual solution aims to captivate the targeted audience and enhance skills in visual aesthetic, design, and illustration.
category
Illustration
client
Djerf Avenue
year 2024
typefaces
HandWritten
illustrations
Inspired by Djerf Avenue
deliverables
Illustrated Infographic & Animation
fisherman photo shoot
fisherman era photoshoot
design challenge
Design an engaging and visually appealing theme for a portrait photoshoot that excites you, whether it’s playful, trendy, or entirely unique. Challenge yourself by incorporating an element you’ve never worked with before, such as unconventional subject matter, challenging weather conditions, new camera equipment or lenses, unique lighting effects like flares, or experimenting with vibrant colors. The goal is to create captivating images that showcase your creativity and technical skills while adding an exciting twist to the photoshoot experience.
design solution
I decided to work with rain as the element I had never worked with before. It presented a unique challenge of capturing good photos of the model without damaging the camera and lenses. However, this challenge led to unexpected beauty as the rain created a beautiful fog and texture in the end result of the photoshoot. These effects worked harmoniously with the surroundings, particularly the bay and boating area, adding depth and atmosphere to the images. Overall, working with rain not only pushed me to find new ways of shooting but also resulted in stunning and memorable photographs.
uptown girl photo shoot
uptown girl photoshoot
design challenge
Come up with a fun and visually captivating theme for a portrait photoshoot. You’re free to choose any subject matter that excites you, whether it’s a playful concept, a trendy style, or something completely unique. The focus is on creating eye-catching images that showcase your creativity and technical skills while also keeping things light and enjoyable.
design solution
I was inspired by the idea of shooting portraits on a rooftop in downtown during sundown. The classic buildings and city lights associated with downtown areas created the perfect ambiance that paired well with the concept of channeling a New Yorker fashion aesthetic, reminiscent of the iconic “Sex in the City” look. This style not only complements the urban setting but also adds a touch of sophistication and glamor to the overall aesthetic. The combination of the rooftop ambiance and the New Yorker inspired fashion creates a visually striking and memorable photoshoot experience.
Design and shoot a fashion photoshoot that not only reflects current trends but also showcases your unique style. Your task includes conceptualizing a captivating narrative, selecting models, wardrobe, and locations, mastering technical aspects like lighting and composition, and editing the final images. Then, seamlessly plug these photos into a catalog, integrating product details to enhance the overall aesthetic and drive audience engagement and sales. Design and shoot a fashion photoshoot that not only reflects current trends but also showcases your unique style. Your task includes conceptualizing a captivating narrative, selecting models, wardrobe, and locations, mastering technical aspects like lighting and composition, and editing the final images.
design solution
I decided to shoot with two models, emphasizing the beauty in ordinary things by showcasing a classic white top and blue jeans ensemble. This choice aimed to bring out the models’ personalities and natural beauty while also highlighting timeless simplicity. Vintage scarves were incorporated as accessories, infusing the shoot with charm and nostalgia. The decision to shoot at a local beach further elevated the aesthetic, providing a serene coastal backdrop that perfectly complemented the theme of pure, stripped back portraits. The beach’s minimalistic surroundings and soft, diffused lighting during sunset created the ideal ambiance for capturing the essence of finding beauty in simplicity.
vintage head scarf photography . model : haley coil . shoot date : 2.23.24
canon rebel T3 i . model : haley johnston . location : kellogg ’ s beach . shoot date : 2.23.24
frame one
frame two
walking in the sand : frame one
walking in the sand : frame three
walking in the sand : frame two
walking in the sand : frame four
thank you
Thank you to my parents and sister for being my unwavering pillars of support and encouragement through all my endeavors.
Thank you to my friends, your constant presence through laughs, tears, long nights, deadlines and occasional modeling help have meant the world.
Thank you to my many mentors in the PLNU Art & Design program - Courtney Mayer, Matthew Turney, Angelo Outlaw, Dave Adey, Karah Lain, Lael Corbin and David Carlson. Your belief in my potential and your relentless push for excellence have shaped me into a designer, photographer, and an artist.
