From a young age, I was always drawn to visual storytelling and the way design can shape how we feel and understand the world around us. Before I ever knew what graphic design was, I was a painter, and that fine-art background still fuels my work today. It pushes me to experiment, add depth, and explore new ways to communicate emotion and meaning to an audience. This is where I feel I truly excel — creating cohesive ideas and telling compelling stories through thoughtful, dynamic design.

Some of my earliest “design memories” came from doing the paper route in my neighbourhood. While rolling newspapers and flyers every morning, I found myself studying layouts, type choices, and the rhythm of information on every page. I collected IKEA and Sears catalogues for years, fascinated by how they used images and design to guide people, persuade them, and create a mood. Looking back, those small moments absolutely shaped the designer I’ve become.

Outside of design, painting is still a huge part of my life. I mainly work in surrealism, abstract realism, portraiture, and watercolor, and I’m always pushing myself to try new mediums — including eventually conquering my fear of oil painting. I think exploring different art forms keeps my creativity flexible and helps me bring more depth into my design work.

I’ve also spent almost ten years in the service industry, currently as a bartender. I love the creativity in mixology — balancing flavours, experimenting with ingredients, and building something new from familiar foundations. Recently, I created a raspberry espresso martini (and later a clarified version) inspired by a summer drink I fell in love with. Even with my allergies, I never see them as a limitation — more like a challenge to rethink ingredients, explore different cuisines, and keep learning.

Across everything I do — design, painting, or drink creation — I’m motivated by curiosity, experimentation, and the desire to tell stories that resonate with people.