Why don’t mantras ever get lost?

Because they always OM their way back! 🙁

Freedom to Express

A gallery in Seattle, Washington, filled with photographs. Each photo captures a different aspect of life in the city, taken by photographers from all walks of life. Some photos are vibrant and abstract, filled with vibrant colors and shapes, while others are black and white, capturing raw, emotional moments both past and present. This diverse collection represents “Freedom to Express”—each photographer showcasing their unique perspective and creativity, sharing their stories and visions without any constraints.

Freedom to Explore

I walk into a beautiful forest during spring in the Pacific Northwest with many trails. As a photographer I stand at the entrance, excited to see where each path leads. One trail goes to a serene lake, another ascends a rugged mountain, and another meanders through fields of wildflowers. I eagerly explore each trail, capturing stunning landscapes and hidden gems through my camera. This scene captures “Freedom to Explore”—the chance to discover new places and experiences freely, with the bonus of documenting and sharing these discoveries through photography.

Freedom from Expectation

I’m on a quiet beach at sunrise with soft colors in the clouds. I’ve decided to take a break from work and school. I stand alone at the water’s edge, looking out into the ocean. There are no footprints or paths to follow. This image represents “Freedom from Expectation”—living without pressure from others, making choices based on my wishes, and creating my own path in life.

How do you know a hockey player is a good friend? They always stick with you!

I absolutely love hockey and women in hockey are truly amazing, bringing incredible talent, dedication, and passion to the sport. From the bottom to professional leagues, women have been breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, proving their ability shredding the ice. Their skill, teamwork, and resilience not only inspire future generations of female athletes (I would love if my daughter played hockey) but also elevate the entire sport of hockey. As women’s hockey continues to grow, it highlights the importance of inclusivity and diversity in sports, It shows that ability in sports knows no gender. The impact of women in hockey is amazing, making the sport more dynamic for everyone.

Samurai Sisters (Team Name)

They will slap shot your fucking face off

Why did the graffiti artist’s mom get mad at him?

Because he kept tagging along everywhere she went!

Murals brighten up communities by turning plain walls into colorful artworks that reflect local culture and history. They help people feel proud of their neighborhood, highlight important issues, and celebrate local heroes. Murals make art accessible to everyone and can attract visitors, support local businesses, and bring people together.

Have someone mark your height on the chart with a marker, noting the date to capture this moment of your growth journey. Remember to Live, Laugh, Love.

-Mom

Why did the Italian chef refuse to share his pasta? Because he wasn’t about to spill his saucy secrets!

IL Grasso is a mobile Italian food truck which I rent from the Italian Rental Owners Council, better known as IROC. It is designed to deliver authentic Italian cuisine directly to customers on-the-go. As a graphic designer/photographer, every aspect of IL Grasso’s design has been crafted to blend seamlessly with the essence of Italian culinary tradition while ensuring practicality and functionality (doors and a kitchen).

IL Grasso’s exterior is characterized by a clean and modern design with a color palette inspired by the Italian flag—red, white, and green. Prominent branding elements, including classic icons and the name, are displayed on the truck’s exterior, ensuring high visibility and easy recognition (you won’t be able to miss Gino and me on I5). Illustrations of iconic Italian classics fill the sides of the truck, serving as visuals for the truck’s culinary menu. 

The logo, featuring the owner Gino stylized in a hat with a subtle mustache reminiscent of those seen in Italian movies of the 90s, represents the quintessential Italian chef persona. It is designed to be easily scalable and recognizable across various marketing materials and merchandise. Using simple fonts and consistent branding makes IL Grasso stand out as a place that serves real Italian food.

IL Grasso’s interior layout is optimized for efficiency and functionality. The kitchen space is equipped with commercial-grade appliances and tons of workspace to accommodates the preparation of fresh, made-to-order pasta dishes and the best gelato you have ever eaten. It also features a Samuel Tufted Chaise Lounge, Right Arm Facing for when the chef gets tired.

IL Grasso offers a convenient dining solution for customers seeking quality Italian food without the constraints of a traditional restaurant setting. The menu features a curated selection of classic Italian dishes, including pasta and desserts. With IL Grasso, customers can enjoy authentic Italian flavors on their own schedule.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller

Two atoms walk into a bar. One says to the other, “I think I lost an electron.”

The other asks, “Are you positive?”

Working on The Little Mole

Jenny and Jordan had no choice but to work with me on the Blender video project for our Visual Media Class, and it was an absolute pleasure, largely due to our exceptional teamwork, punctuality, and ability to listen to each other.

From the beginning, it was clear that Jenny and Jordan understood the importance of collaboration. They were ready to tackle this project with me, and their enthusiasm made me even more excited for the project, to share ideas, and to actively participate in discussions. Our team was given a difficult prompt for the video we had to create. Mutual respect and a shared commitment to achieving our goals made the entire process incredibly smooth and enjoyable.

One aspect that truly stood out was our punctuality and reliability. Jenny, Jordan, and I made a concerted effort to meet deadlines and fulfill our responsibilities promptly. Whether it was completing individual tasks or attending group meetings, we understood the importance of respecting each other’s time, something I had struggled with in the past two quarters during most group projects.

Jenny and Jordan made it a priority to actively listen to my input and ideas, and they were honest with each other in a positive manner. Their willingness to provide constructive feedback and receptivity to suggestions greatly enhanced our teamwork. Instead of becoming defensive, they approached feedback with an open mindset, recognizing it as an opportunity for improvement.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have collaborated with such dedicated and talented individuals, and I eagerly anticipate the possibility of working together again in the future.

In Seattle, I think we all are drawn to the issue of homelessness, we have no choice because it is in our backyard. It’s a complex problem with deep-rooted causes, but providing shelter and support services is essential to helping individuals and families rebuild their lives. Mary’s Place, a non-profit organization founded in 1999, is dedicated to empowering homeless women, children, and families in Seattle. 

Mary’s Place operates multiple emergency shelters across the city, providing a safe haven where homeless individuals and families can find shelter from the streets. What sets Mary’s Place apart is its commitment to keeping families together during times of crisis. Unlike many shelters that separate men from women and children, Mary’s Place recognizes the importance of family unity, allowing homeless mothers and their children to stay together under one roof and I personally would not want to be separated from my family especially during a crisis. 

Its more than just offering shelter, Mary’s Place provides a large scope of support services to help people address the root causes of their homelessness. This includes employment assistance, housing support, childcare, and access to healthcare. By addressing both immediate needs and providing resources for long-term stability, Mary’s Place is making a huge difference in the lives of Seattle’s most neglected residents.

With a $25,000 donation, I would choose to support Mary’s Place in their efforts to combat homelessness in Seattle. This funding could go towards shelter operations, expanding support services, or launching new programs to address the evolving needs of the homeless population. By investing in Mary’s Place, we can contribute to an organization that is at the forefront of this important work in our community, its time to remove the band-aid and get stitches.

https://www.marysplaceseattle.org/contact

https://www.marysplaceseattle.org/get-involved/volunteer/application

https://www.marysplaceseattle.org/get-involved

“Pawsitively thirsty? Let’s fetch a drink from the bowl!“

The 32oz stainless steel dog bowl offers durability and practicality for pet hydration and nourishment. Its non-skid base minimizes spills, making mealtime hassle-free for dogs of all sizes, at home or on the go.

Specifications:

Material: Food-grade stainless steel

Capacity: 32 ounces

Dimensions: Diameter: 7 inches, Height: 2.5 inches

Features: Non-skid rubber base, smooth rounded design

Suitable for: Dogs of all size

Cleaning: Dishwasher safe

Why did the designer break up with their font? Because it was too bold and wouldn’t align with their feelings!

APPLE HUMAN INTERFACE

Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines guide developers in designing, developing, and distributing apps across various Apple platforms, including macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. These guidelines cover a wide range of topics, including app architecture, user interaction, system capabilities, and visual design.

Apple trys to make sure apps on its platforms feel familiar and consistent. They do this by giving detailed advice on how to use interface elements and why, creating a smooth user experience across all devices.

Apple’s library is a gold mine for developers, offering design files compatible with popular software such as Sketch, Photoshop, and Adobe XD. Developers also have access to video sessions and tutorials, now they can build more intuitive and user-friendly experiences. These resources are key in helping developers stick to Apple’s guidelines with accuracy ensuring that their apps uphold the company’s design principles and standards of quality color and more.

Microsoft Fluent Design System

A design system offers a set of reusable components with clear rules for how they should be used. This ensures that the look and feel of a product remain consistent across different parts of the interface.

With predefined standards and reusable components, designers and developers can work more efficiently, saving time and effort by not having to recreate common UI elements from scratch.

By having a centralized collection of components and standards, it’s easier to maintain and update the design of a product over time, to make sure it stays relevant and cohesive as it evolves.

Spectrum, Adobe’s design system

Spectrum serves as Adobe’s design system, offering a design “language” across various Adobe products and platforms. It provides a cohesive set of guidelines, principles, and components to ensure consistency in user experience and visual design.

The Spectrum XD plugin allows you to easily select and customize Spectrum components directly on your design canvas. You can adjust options like theme and scale, with in-line documentation for guidance. While not all components are currently available, more will be added in future updates.

Spectrum is designed to be cross-platform, meaning it can be applied across different devices, operating systems, and screen sizes. This flexibility allows Adobe to maintain a consistent user experience whether a product is accessed on desktop, mobile, or web platforms.

Spectrum collaborates and develops by providing a shared set of resources and guidelines for designers and developers. By sticking to the standards outlined in Spectrum, workers and students across Adobe can work more efficiently, ensuring that their products align with Adobe’s design principles and brand identity.

I have deconstructed the black into the colors I want, so is it still black?

https://vimeo.com/920620059/f694e4e228?share=copy