I wanted my portfolio to be a visual representation of my love for 3D design. In finding an antique Hohner accordion, I transformed it into a file cabinet containing a collection of my works. The accordion displays my playful nature as well as my passion for artistic reinvention.

Problem: Design a product that reminds you to do something.

Solution: I am a frequent rider of the express bus into Manhattan, which is a fare of $6.00. As many commuters like myself know, other than going down into the subway station, there
is no other way to check how much money is left on your MetroCard. With this MetroCard holder, every time you remove your card, the counter will tick down, showing you how much money is left on your card, reminding you when it needs to be refilled. 

Problem: Combine a high-end and low-end brand to create a new product.

Solution: Petrossianables is a brand that I have created, inspired by both Lunchables and Petrossian. Like Lunchables, it is sold as a pre-packaged meal for kids. However, it is luxurious like Petrossian, the finest of caviar. Its velvet-lined interior contains caviar, unsalted crackers, a mother of pearl spoon, sparkling water, chocolate truffles, and a napkin. A perfect lunch for the sophisticated child. 

Problem: Design a Dual Purpose Product
Solution: Sometimes on public transportation, I just don't want anyone to sit next to me. This design is used to serve as a solution to that problem. It also serves as a purse that is so unappealing it would not possibly be stolen.

Problem: Redesign the sink and its faucet in an unconventional form.

Solution: A sink/waterfall that I have designed and built to resemble one of my favorite places in the world that I know thus far, Bash Bish Falls. Ever since I was little, my family along with all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins, rent cabins one weekend in the Fall and hike up to see this beautiful sight. It is not only a place where some of my favorite memories were made, but also a place of complete relaxation and happiness. 

Problem: Within the glass head, make a statement about a historical or pop culture figure’s hidden motivation or, in other words, what makes them tick.

Solution: My design is a visual representation of Miley Cyrus. She, like many celebrities of today, is constantly being questioned by the media and society about every decision that she makes. I have turned the glass head into a Magic 8 Ball which upon shaking, can provide us with an answer to any question. 

Problem: Through understanding the conventional game of chess, redesign the chess set in an unconventional way.

Solution: “Check-Bait”, a chess set built with an old-fashioned tackle box and hand-carved aquatic pieces.

The Art Directors Club NYC - Spring 2014 

Problem: How do you represent your quintessential personal space? Design your own personal haven, and retrofit the environment onto its own mobile utility cart. One that you can tow with you and hide inside when needed most.

Solution: For me, the one downside to being in Manhattan is not being able to see the stars at night. My ideal personal space is somewhere that I can relax and look up at a star-filled sky to explore the universe. Within the roof of my project is a projection of a short film about the stars and planets of outer space.

The Art Directors Club NYC - Spring 2014

SVA Gramercy Gallery, NYC - Spring 2014 

Problem: Design web icons for a group of people or characters.

Solution: I created icons for Cartoon Network’s series The Powerpuff Girls. Every character has a very distinct look and these icons portray that, as well as the show’s fun and playful nature. 

Problem: Design a lunchbox that solves a particular problem. The lunchbox must hold the following items: a banana, a sandwich, and a drink.

Solution: “The Anti-Bully-Stealing Lunchbox”. When I was in the first grade a boy/bully named Meena would steal my lunch on a daily basis until I had decided that it was time to fight back. On this day, I dropkicked him, grabbed my lunch back, and stood on his throat. For some reason this action wasn’t quite acceptable in a Catholic school. I was pulled by my ponytail to the principal’s office.
This event inspired the design of this lunchbox. Upon opening, the bully would be punched in the face. It would essentially fight bullies for those who are too afraid to fight back. In the reflection of the mirror reads “STOPBULLYING. GOV”, a website that also does a great job in helping kids to stop the Meena’s of the world. 

Problem: Design a children’s book of ABC’s focusing in on any topic.

Solution: For this project I was inspired by my daily commute on the New York City Subway. I tend to let my imagination run wild and create humorous characters for the people that I see, as a form of entertainment. I thought it would be even funnier to use these characters as a children’s book for learning the alphabet. 

Problem: Rebrand a neighborhood of NYC.

Solution: I grew up in Staten Island, New York, a place that most people have only visited briefly, before riding the ferry right back to Manhattan.

I feel that there is much to be learned about Staten Island and for this reason I have created a logo for every train station on
the Staten Island Railway that coincides with that area’s history. Each logo, along with information about each neighborhood, would be provided at each station to educate all riders about the unique history of that area. My goal for this project was to transition Staten Island from the forgotten borough, to the unforgettable. 

Problem: Design a new scratch-off ticket.

Solution: “Plastic Splurgery”, a scratch- off lottery ticket that would be purchased by those who are interested in winning the specific plastic surgery that is visually represented on the front of each ticket. Upon winning the scratch off game on the back, a customer would receive that plastic surgery paid in full. 

Problem: Illustrate the passing of time in a sculptural form.

Solution: “The Human Sundial Beach Blanket”. When standing in the center of the blanket on a sunny day, a person’s shadow would be cast onto an area of numeric value, illustrating the correct time. When not being used as a sundial, it serves as a beautiful beach blanket! Now there’s no need in bringing your phone or watch to the beach. 

Problem: Design a rack or shelving unit,

Solution: A fun way to store shoes in a children's room!

Problem: Design a set of three watches to promote a product or a cause.

Solution: In today’s world of smartphones, watches are becoming more and more obsolete. Whenever my iPhone is dead, which is usually always, I never know what time it is. This is a set of watches designed to express the advances of new technology among companies such as Apple, replacing the old. 

Problem: Design a conceptual chandelier.

Solution: What better to illuminate your room than a UFO abduction?

The Art Directors Club, NYC - Spring 2015 

Problem: Given a basic Fender guitar as a point of departure, give it a new life other than the one it was intended to have.

Solution: Growing up surrounded by music, my Dad and uncles playing and singing in a band, guitars have a special meaning to me. It was important for me to have that music in my life and it’s something that I want my own children to have one day. My idea for this project was to create a grandfather clock with my guitar. Grandfather clocks seem to be passed down throughout generations of families, just as I believe the gift of music should be.

The Art Directors Club, NYC - Spring 2015 

Problem: Design a ceremonial costume observing a significant anniversary in 2015.

Solution: The 70th Anniversary of the Slinky. Invented in 1945 when Richard James was conducting experiments using springs, one fell to the floor and magic happened. Soon sold in stores, Slinky captivated kids and adults with its ability to walk down stairs step-by-step. I wanted my design of this dress to encapsulate that movement in celebration of this iconic toy. Every Slinky was donated to me by Alex Brands, the current owners of the Slinky. Watch my process in photographs on the official Slinky Youtube Channel!

In 2017, I was approached by the School of Visual Arts to recreate my Slinky dress, this time at a different size so that it could be presented in a glass case along Madison Avenue. In October of 2017, my dress was exhibited in front of Alexander McQueen's 747 Madison Avenue, NY, NY location. 

The Art Directors Club NYC - Spring 2015

SVA Gramercy Gallery, NYC - Spring 2015

Madison Avenue, NYC - Fall 2017

SVA Gramercy Gallery, NYC - Spring 2018

Problem: Design a trophy for an “unsung hero”. An award for someone or something that doesn’t usually receive recognition.

Solution: “The Household Asshole Awards”. We all know who they are,
why not acknowledge them? This series recognizes those who don’t refill the toilet paper, pretend to not see the dog poop, don’t clean out the shower drain, and the ones that don’t re-cap the toothpaste. 

Problem: Design a product that has a dual purpose.

Solution: “The ‘I Can’t Even’ Hoodie”. An extremely comfortable sweatshirt with a self-inflatable neck pillow within the hood. Made for sleeping anywhere at any moment, especially on those days when you “literally can’t even”. 

Problem: Design a vase that holds a single flower.

Solution: This single flower vase can hook onto any pipe that has a leak. You’ll never have to water your flower or fix the pipe! 

“Close Quarters” is a photographic series that really captures the essence of my family. Initially I was photographing my family for fun in between my landscape and cityscape shots. However, it soon became clear that the photographs of my family were not only more enjoyable to take, but way more successful.

Problem: Rebrand a company chosen for you at random.

Solution: Cut Brooklyn is a store that specializes in handmade knives. Owner Joel Bukiewicz designs and creates every piece with special care and attention to detail. In rebranding this business, I too wanted my work to reflect a precise, yet handcrafted feel. 

Problem: Design a case for your phone that has a dual purpose

Solution: Phone cases of today are not only used for protection, but a majority of the time, they represent identity. With my design, your phone case becomes a tool in flower pressing and your creation becomes a beautiful form of your own unique self-expression. 

Problem: Along with a hand-picked group of designers, conceptualize and design The School of Visual Arts 2015 Yearbook.

Solution: A yearbook is a visualization of the students’ time in school. Our design is a visual exploration of the life and times of the class of 2015, which has a time-line of 2 decades, starting in the early 90’s, and ending now.

The content of the book is presented in chronological order, incorporating events, personal objects, quotations, etc. of the graduating class. The yearbook was created in this cube-like format so that it doesn’t just get lost in a bookshelf, but needs a place of its own, where it remains forever relevant. 

Problem: Design an entire branding structure for a holistic health center based out of Sea Girt, New Jersey.

Solution: Working closely with the owner, I was able to design her company, Strong and Soulful, from start to finish. The logo resembles that of a nautilus. It is reflected four times, representing her and her three children. The shape of her logo can also resemble water, which is perfect for this holistic health center located in a New Jersey beach town. After the logo, I designed promotional content as well as a website that was easy for her to use, enabling customers to book classes and appointments online. 

You can visit the website at: www.strongandsoulfulnj.com