Beyond design and writing, I enjoy games, music, and collecting various things (CDs, vinyl, books, pop culture memorabilia/collectibles). In my free time, I like to create and learn new things, organize, and collaborate. I also like to ride my bike and go on walks.
These are some classes I have taken that I really enjoyed - though not all of them are relevant to my occupational interests, this seemed like a nice place to sort of archive them.
The work from many of these classes can be found under the "works" tab above.
Webster University
Social Engineering & Society
Learning about social engineering; how it's done, how to do it, how to avoid it, and working in a group to create presentations applying our knowledge on the topics.
Audio Production for non-majors
Using Adobe Audition to create and warp audio, as well as using Adobe Premiere to create a scene and add the appropriate sound effects.
Digital RPG Design
Using RPG Maker and other tools to create an RPG game and assets.
Visual Design
Using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, & InDesign to create graphics.
Introduction to Web Development
Learning the basics of HTML & CSS, as well as website design.
Design Concepts
Creating art - both physical and digital - with specific design parameters such as color, medium, and so on.
Narrative Design
Built a game concept from the ground up, which later became the concept I would base my Pumpkin in the Forest website on.
Information Architecture
Learned about card sorting, tree testing, and other ways to research user experience and website navigation/design.
Introduction to Mass Communications (Media Foundations)
Learned about the history of the internet, the impact it has had on society, and how to apply critical thinking in regard to its many faucets, such as social media.
Social Media Strategies & Tactics
Learning about various social media-related public relations as well as making my own for a local business. In this course, I earned two Hootsuite certificates; one for social marketing, and another for using Hootsuite's platform.
Graphics & Effects
Used Adobe Premiere & After Effects to create animated graphics for videos.
My final project can be found in other.
User Experience in Theory & Practice
Learned about user experience, web design, and many other things revolving around user interface and general design - typography, color, and the tools that are best for creating with these designs in mind.
Worked on creating a responsive, Bootstrap 5 website.
St. Charles Community College
Creative Writing I & II
Creative Writing Portfolio
Earned my certificate in creative writing!
Programming in Python
An intro course for learning the Python language.
Computer Programming Logic
An intro to critical thinking with flowcharts, project planning, and utilizing tools such as Flow.io.
Windows Multimedia (Adobe software)
St. Charles High School
Graphic Design
Digital Video
Photography
Newspaper Production (editor-in-chief)
Using InDesign and Photoshop to create a monthly newspaper with a group. Took photos, helped brainstorm story ideas, wrote stories, created graphics, and made the final designs & edits before adding all the stories and sending it off for print.
Yearbook Production (co-editor)
Worked one-on-one with another editor and the teacher to help create and edit the school yearbook for the 2018 school year. Guided discussions, helped create graphics, write stories, and brainstorm story & graphic ideas. Took photographs and also wrote a lot of creative content featured throughout the book.
Desktop Publishing
Web Design
Broadcast Media
Beyond classwork, I helped create the senior video in a team of two - creating graphics, taking videos, and using Adobe Premiere. I also helped create other event videos, such as one featured at SCHS's "Evening With The Stars" (2018).