portfolio

Below are some samples of my best work. Though the ones below were all class projects, I think these still showcase my eclectic design styles. At the personal section of the portfolio are design samples that I have done for personal purposes (and to challenge myself to see if I can do other types of medium other than graphic and/or web design). More will be added much later.

For faster navigation, click on the bottom left menu below to navigate by section instead of scrolling up and down using the scroller on the right.

[NOTE] Coming soon in this portfolio--- photography!

portfolio: illustration

Although I have taken an Illustration class during my first years of college back in the '90s, I was not too good with the basic functions. Below are samples of classwork that I have done using Adobe Illustrator CS.

To see a larger version, please click on the thumbnails.

The Seattle Library
2.19.2005

This illustration is my first assignment for my Illustration class. We were to use an original photograph as a template to create the illustration. I took this photo when my family and visited relatives living in Seattle, Washington. For me, this is also my BEST work for that class. I really liked how it turned out just by using manual solid colors, lines, the pen tool, and simple gradients. Though this was our first assignment and everything had to be done just by using the pen tool and basic shapes to capture the portrait, it took me a whole week to finish this (I only had nighttime as my only time to do all of my projects). But with patience and a good eye, I really achieved what I wanted for this particular image.

Self-Portrait (no color)
2.26.2005

For some particular reason this "self-portrait" illustration that I made looks like something the great pop artist Andy Warhol would illustrate as part of his pop art collection. Here is an illustration created with brushes. We were to use a photograph of ourselves as a template to accomplish this assignment. Maybe I should have experimented with different types of brush tips first before I started doing this illustration. I have a colored version of this same illustration, but the skintone color did not turn out well. Hopefully I'll have some time to fix the colored version so I would be able to post it here as well.

Red Paper Cup
3.12.2005

The purpose of this assignment is to create “realistic” illustration along with lighting and shading, as well as 3D-ish simulation. This is one of the hardest assignments that I had to do for Illustrator because I still could not get the grasp of the gradient mesh feature. This was based on one of my photographs of a red paper cup on top of my computer desk, which is an oak finish desk. In some ways it does look a little realistic, but the gradient meshing on the cup looks kind of weird... and... off... On the other hand, I think I did well on simulating my wood finish desk. I only have a lamp above my desk, so therefore the lighting is kind of dark.

Digital Dreamer (website mockup)
3.19.2005

This is our final project for Illustration class. We had to make a website mockup of an illustration portfolio. I simply used the “cutesy Hello Kitty” style that I’m used to design, and I chose shades of blue for this because blue is my favorite color. It was also the first website layout that I have ever done using Illustrator. Originally I was going to use this particular layout for this portfolio site, however the functions that I have made here were a little complicated to put in to HTML/CSS code, so I went for a slightly simpler layout such as the one I have right now.

portfolio: graphic design

The following are class projects in Advanced Graphic Design. All designs were created using Adobe Photoshop CS, Adobe Illustrator CS, and Adobe InDesign CS. For any digital designer, graphic design is pretty much the most "basic" medium of digital design. Graphic design is used for anything, primarily on print. With graphic design, we can create poster ads, giant posters of our favorite subject (a sports figure or a model, etc.), stationery sets, packaging, magazine ads, and more.

To view larger version, click on the thumbnails.

Analogyinc.com (business cards)
3.27.2005

This is the first assignment on Advanced Graphics class. We were to create 10 different types of business cards using the given descriptions and themes. Throughout the course, I chose the very first theme (leftmost column, 1st card). I think it’s both colorful, elegant, professional, and symmetrical. The assignment was not challenging for me, for I had various ideas and typefaces to use to exactly capture the theme that this assignment was requesting. In addition to doing this assignment, I also learned that today's business cards can go "contemporary" and "liberal" from the traditional-designed business card that most businesses use today (the white business cards that we're used to seeing). Though this was an easy assignment for me, the hardest part of this assignment is coming up with an original design per category.

Analogyinc.com (advertising postcard)
3.2.2005

Using the given provided images by the instructor, our goal here was to create an effective yet simple advertising postcard for Analogyinc.com. I used the provided images and used a lot of opacity, melding three given images together. I just added a tagline “strategic innovations for a simple solution!,” since Analogyinc.com is an instructional technology consulting firm. At the back of the postcard, I used the given information used in the business cards assignment before this. If you would like to see the back of the postcard, view here.

Emilio Alturo's Blue Bistro (promotional ad)
4.16.2005

This is the 4th assignment for Advanced Graphic Design class. We were to create a promotional ad using InDesign and using the provided images and other relevant information such as the logo, the tagline, the address of the restaurant, a brief promotional summary, and basic information regarding the restaurant’s specialties and services. I don’t quite remember what the actual objective is, but I think this particular ad is more of a magazine ad than an actual promotional flyer/poster. Though I received good marks on this one, I still think I would have done better than this one if I had a lot more time brainstorming for design and other ideas to give the ad some “pop.” On the other hand, I think it would also make an effective ad as well. Just the simple shrimp dish at the main table and other images that gives a showcase of what the restaurant is about would help attract customers in search for fine, genuine bistro-style dining.

portfolio: web design

During my "hobby designing" years (1999-present), most of my designs consist of web designing, so therefore I feel that web designing would be my strongest medium in digital design. My instructors also said the same as well when they gave me feedback. At my self-learning period in digital design, I mainly focused on web designing the most. When the internet was first launched and introduced to me back in the mid-'90s, I was fascinated with websites and that I always wanted to have one on my own. Thus, I ended up self-learning HTML, CSS, and of course, the graphics portion of web design.

All samples were created using Adobe Photoshop CS and Adobe Illustrator CS. The website layouting and coding are created using Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004. There are "live" websites available for the following samples below. Please keep note that these are just sample live websites, not real functioning websites, so therefore there may be some parts of the sample live websites that do not work. They are just there to show the viewer how they look like when they are viewed with the browser they are using. To view these sample live websites, click on the thumbnail images.

Golden Coast Journeys (travel site)
5.28.2005

This is my whole website project for (beginning) Web Design class. We were to create a travel site of our own using various visual communication techniques such as determining the target audience and using an appropriate language for the target audience. Golden Coast Journeys is targeting young adults and active people, and it is a travel website promoting coastal California tours. We also used different features in websites, such as simple HTML, image slicing using Photoshop, and rollover images using Macromedia Dreamweaver’s rollover images feature. We also learned how to make web layout templates using Dreamweaver. I used Illustrator to create my travel site logo and the rest of the design with royalty-free stock photos as images using Photoshop. I usually make “complicated”-looking website layouts for my “hobby” websites, but because this is a professional business website, I have to “tone down” on my designing to match the target audience.

The Green Garden (gardening website)
9.17.2005

This is my project for Advanced Web Design class. The design is a bit more advanced than the design I made for Web Design class, since this is a gardening service site. Unlike Web Design class, our assignment is a simulation, so each student creates their own version of The Green Garden website. We learned how to create websites using CSS layers, as well as basic CSS codes adding multimedia files such as audio and a Flash gallery plugin using Dreamweaver. The first thing that came to my mind regarding The Green Garden was nature and environment, so therefore I used a lot of nature images using my own illustrations and royalty-free stock photography. The Green Garden logo was created using Illustrator, the rest of the layout by Photoshop, and the website is assembled using Dreamweaver.

portfolio: corporate identity

Corporate Identity pretty much means logos--- creating logos for businesses and organizations... you know... IDENTITY? Very seldom that I create logos for my personal/fan sites, since they're not really that required--- and they are non-commercial after all. But for any non-commercial design medium, some kind of an identity--- a logo, a brand--- that would identify that particular business and/or organization and be recognizable to the masses. That's what corporate identity is about. I'm still quite new to this corporate identity stuff so the following samples I have are not anywhere at the "professional" level. But as many say, once you are a creative, the possibilities are endless.

All sample designs are created using Adobe Illustrator CS and Adobe InDesign CS. I don't think I ever used Photoshop for this corporate identity class. To view larger versions, click on the thumbnails.

T-Spunk Energy Iced Tea Beverage (sample logos)
7.23.2005
Our first assignment in Corporate Identity Development class is to create 10 logo thumbnails in grayscale for our final project, which is creating an identity of a non-alcoholic beverage. I decided to do mine on an “energy iced tea” beverage called “T-Spunk” (the “T” stands for tea and the “spunk” means that people get spunky when they are energetic). The logos that I created using Illustrator were all based on the target audience: 13 and over ‘active” people. Even if there is Arizona Tea Beverage and Snapple Tea Beverage existing, there aren’t any other brands in this product line. I received my critique from my instructor and she really liked the first one (left column, first logo) with the tea leaf. As I was creating these logos, I tried to actually lean my design style towards a younger audience where they can benefit so much from tea that provides them a guaranteed longevity for themselves that I thought that the only way to grab their attention was to create the logo in the "hip" design style.

[print ad :: link banner]
T-Spunk Energy Iced Tea Beverage (ad campaign)
8.13.2005

I had a difficult time creating this particular assignment. We were to create a promotional ad campaign (I forget if it was a magazine ad or a promotional flyer/poster, but it does look like a magazine ad to me) in which the logo is being placed on a beverage container (can, bottle, etc). I drew the “girl drinking the beverage” using Illustrator, designed the can using Illustrator, finally having my grasp on its gradient mesh feature, and the final logo also created using Illustrator. The poster layout design was created using InDesign. Though my instructor stated that I could have done more, I do believe that I am content with this one. Along with this poster ad is also a link banner. Click above links to view larger versions.

project: multimedia

I am pretty much a newbie in this field. I have never learned Macromedia Flash MX 2004 before until multimedia class came. We only learned the very basics of Flash, mainly animation and creating movies. We never learned how to create websites using Flash in that class, and as a designer, learning and mastering Flash is one of my goals.

I only have one little multimedia sample to show you, since that was the final project for our Multimedia class. Click on thumbnail to view sample in larger view.

The Sensory Experience TV (Flash movie)
11.5.2005

The Multimedia class gave me my very first experience using Macromedia Flash. I’ve never had any experience nor had any “self-learning” with Flash before so my very first projects are not as impressive to the “professional Flash artists” eyes. This is my 4th assignment for the class in which we have to create a “navigation” system that presents our first 3 assignments. I decided to create a “simulated” TV navigation where users can click on the buttons and view my first 3 Flash projects. Not my favorite piece of work, but I am proud at the same time to finally create my very first Flash project.

portfolio: personal

This is my little "personal" space in the portfolio where I also experiment with other types of design mediums for personal use. This is entirely non-commercial and they are all just a part of my hobbies. I do not take any credit for any of the "main" images used unless otherwise noted.

This section is divided in to two sections--- websites (personal/fansite) and 3D Character modeling. For the websites section, since they are still ongoing sites (although some are put on hiatus until I finish my program), you may take a peek and see what is all about.

[WEBSITES - PERSONAL/FANSITE]
akalianeNET
Date Opened - May 2004

"Akaliane" is the Hawaiian name equivalent to my name, Adrianne. You guessed it--- this is a personal site about me. At the moment, it's on hiatus, until I finish my degree program. From there I'll have more time working on this site, revamping everything that is outdated. My personal interests and other personal stuff are in here, which also includes my personal blog. The main image used is a 3D character created by yours truly. I know the color is blue, but because this is a personal site, blue is a part of me. =)

The AMNOS Network
Date Opened: 10/2002

This is my longest-running website among all of the websites I've created (I've created a lot more before this one but I lost interest). This is a fansite dedicated to one of Japan's hottest male groups--- ARASHI. Although this fansite is dedicated to a Japanese boy group, this site isn't the first English-language website in the net (there's several others--- countless of them!). Just like akalianeNET, this one was also put on hiatus until my program is finished. However, you may still be able to visit the current website (there are 3 links at the bottom of the image where you can come and visit), except all of the information there are outdated. I (co-)own this whole website including an image gallery, a news blog, and many others. All of the designs were created by me, but the ARASHI images were all scanned from magazines and official photos or contributed by fellow fans for me to use them on future website layouts. [NOTE] You can also view my past layouts for this website by going to Rising Storm link, click on Misc, then Layout History. All of the layouts from the past (since 2002) are all displayed portfolio-style.

Daydream Monogatari Network
Date Opened: May 2005

I opened a fanfiction website for all Johnny's (ARASHI'S agency) fans, where they write and submit in their fanfiction about their favorite Johnny's idol. I have a lot of fanfiction myself, but I haven't displayed them yet in the website. Like others, this site is also outdated. There are also some things that needed to be cleared out, but that will be much later... The layout and the site will be upgraded once I'm finished with my program. This site uses the FicHive PHP script for hosting interactive stories.

IRO Asenaide
Date Opened: April 2003

This is my message board for all Johnny's idol fans around the world. It's grown quite succesful and it's running smoothly, now that I have friends to help me run this whole board. The board was opened in April 2003 where worldwide Johnny's idol fandom was just fresh along with a friend, and after switching servers and other struggles on how the board should be run and presented internally, the board continues to run regardless. I've owned a message board in the past before (early 2000's), a videogame fanfiction board, but this particular board is also the longest-running board I've hosted. Hopefully it will continue to be online and active as time passes. This site uses the Invision Power Board for the message board and the mkportal plugin for the portal-like website altogether.

[3D CHARACTER MODELING]
Recently (about 11/2005), I just started getting in to 3D character modeling. My brother told me about a program that does that called Poser 6 and I started to fiddle around with it. I still have not grasp the program yet, but I did learn some basics about this program. Below are some of my sample work that I have done through experimentation of Poser 6. Eventually I also discovered a free program called DAZ Studio, which I have been using frequently because the features are a lot simpler. But sometimes I kept switching back and forth depending on my mood.

The following samples are created using Poser 6, DAZ Studio, and Adobe Photoshop CS.

Girl in the Ancient Baths
11.26.2005

This is the first “artwork” that I did with a 3D character. Poser is a character modeling program, so therefore I used that program to create the girl in the image--- the body, face, hair, and the clothing. I searched around royalty-free stock photography sites for the “ancient baths” image background as my “scenery” for this site. Since I’m not familiar with more heavy-duty programs such as 3D Studio Max to create my own scenery, I’d have to use royalty-free stock photography until I finally mastered creating my own scenery. I wasn’t familiar with the lighting feature yet in Poser, which is why everything turned out to be dark and “grim”-looking. Maybe later in the future I would be able to do some retouching on this one...

Schoolgirl at the Beach
12.4.2005

Here’s another experiment using the lighting feature for the first time. Although it still looks dark, at least the character has some lighting on her so she would have a lighter complexion in the scene. Also, I'm not familiar with changing expressions on the character's face so therefore the girl doesn't really look too "happy", but I'm working on learning expressions at the moment. Maybe with a few adjustments, this would be a better artwork than it is as we see it. I used DAZ Studio (another character modeling program) for the beach scene, since DAZ Studio has preset scenery that I could use. So, the character is made by Poser, the beach scenery was provided by DAZ Studio, and everything else created by Adobe Photoshop.

Girl at the Beach
12.14.2005

I decided to use DAZ Studio’s character modeling features to create this girl. I think DAZ Studio is a little easier to handle than Poser 6 but I like using both programs. I did the whole design, character and scenery, using DAZ Studio and did the other factors (resizing and optimizing the image) in Photoshop. I made this “quick” artwork for my company’s fundraising silent auction proceeding to the San Francisco Food Bank. I donated this image, printed in high-quality photo paper, and placed it in a frame, to be auctioned off at the silent auction. This design was auctioned off for $40. This is also the very first design that I made that actually has a “monetary value” to it, but this is for a good cause, so I didn't get any money for it.