My Journey to Becoming a Graphic Designer
Since my junior year at UT Martin, I have taken several fine arts and graphic design courses. I developed a passion for digital creation and now work part-time outside of school as a freelance graphic designer. Below, you will find examples of my artwork.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
"Lana Del Rey" Vector Image Project
GDES 210, Fall 2023
Designed in Illustrator
This project targeted our usage of Illustrator and color. We were assigned to take two images and turn them into vector art within our style. I took this image at a Lana Del Rey concert and converted it into vector imagery using image trace and other design tools (pencil tool, smooth tool, crop tool, and color picker)
Postcards Project
GDES 210, Fall 2023
Designed in Illustrator and Photoshop
For this project, we were instructed to create a series of postcards from our destinations of choice. I used different filters and overlays to achieve the "textured" appearance in this design.
Hello, My Name Is Project
MMSC 397, Spring 2024
Designed in Illustrator
This was a project that I completed in Visual Branding. The purpose of this assignment was for us to develop our own personal branding logo. I chose to use a script font and warp the letters into a unique outlined font. I uploaded florals that I designed to accent the heavy typography.
"Rylee Ann Smith" Vector Image Project
GDES 210, Fall 2023
Designed in Illustrator
This graphic was the second piece I designed for the Vector Image project. I utilized the same tools to vectorize an image of myself. The inspiration for this was pop art, hence the reason there are a few "pops" of white in this design.
Postcards Project
GDES 210, Fall 2023
Designed in Illustrator and Photoshop
This is another image from my Postcards series. I originally drew the scenery on drawing paper and then uploaded it into Illustrator. I then did extensive refining of my line-work and overlayed the text.
Plumeria Swim Graphic Design Final Project
GDES 210, Fall 2023
Designed in Illustrator
This was one of the final project options in Graphic Design 1. For this project, I chose to create a brand package/visual identity for a swimwear company. I used Illustrator to draw my concepts and create the mockups. I implemented my knowledge of color theory, pattern making, and typography into this assignment. This project recently won the "Outstanding Designer Competition" at the 2024 Mass Media and Strategic Communications Awards Banquet.
PHOTOGRAPHY
In GDES 345 - Digital Photography, we were assigned a project called "Inspired By". Earlier in the semester, we were instructed to create a slideshow on a photographer of choice. The "Inspired By" project was to be based off of that same photographer; we were to photograph something in the spirit of that person. The photographer I chose was Nan Goldin. She is an artist who specializes in capturing candid, vivid, and loud compositions. My piece, titled "Going Through The Motions", is a depiction of the lifestyle of a senior in college.
WEB DESIGN
In MMSC 323 - Basic Web Design, I was tasked with creating a professional website for my freelance graphic design business. Below, you will find a capture of my home page. Rylee Smith Designs is the name of my company; I want my potential clients to see how free-spirited, bold, and stylish I am as a designer.
DIGITAL STORYTELLING
In GDES 220, Graphic Design 2, we were tasked with the "Kinetic Type" project. This project was the first project we completed in Illustrator and After Effects. Although using After Effects was relatively new to me, I pushed through and quickly realized it was similar to editing software I use to edit my social media content (TikTok, Capcut, Premier, etc).