ABOUT

Hi, I'm Tessa. I'm a graphic designer in Portland, Oregon. I approach my designs from a multicultural lens, intersecting functionality with visual appeal.

​

​

I've loved creating art of all forms for as long as I can remember. But it wasn't until I studied abroad in Osaka, Japan that I began to look at design from a different perspective. I always aspired to create art that was aesthetically pleasing–something "cool" or "eye-catching." I find that many modern American brands use this approach in their brand identity (think Olipop, Minor Figures, etc.), but Japan does something different.​

​

Japanese design focuses on the opposite end of the spectrum–functionality. Take restaurant menus, for example. Nearly every Japanese restaurant has menus that feature images of every menu item. Given that most restaurants outside of major cities don't hire professional designers, one can imagine that many of these menus are not exactly pleasing to look at. But I can tell you that being able to visualize my food before ordering (especially as a foreigner) made my dining experience 1000% more comfortable and enjoyable. When I got back to the States, I found myself asking "Why can't every menu have pictures?"

​

It may seem obvious that designs should find a middle ground between the visual and practical. Yet this so often is not the case. My goal as a designer is to find this golden ratio by approaching every project with these different values in mind. I believe that you don't have to compromise one for the other, as long as you have the understanding, knowledge (or ability to research), and perseverance to find the solution.