LUIZA RUFEISEN'S PORTFOLIO

Design is far more than just a creative outlet; it is one of the most powerful tools for advocacy, communication, understanding, and change. I often use my work to address political and cultural issues in modern-day society. Whether creating posters advocating for diverse topics, working with clubs at my school to promote mental health awareness visually, or volunteering for organizations that require specific designs to convey their messages, nothing is more rewarding than using design thinking to advocate for others. 

 

I use a range of tools and techniques to deliver my messages. I attend my high school's design program at Freestyle Academy of Communication Arts and Technology. As a Freestyle student, I have been motivated to learn industry-based techniques and broaden my design horizons. More importantly, Freestyle has taught me how to work collaboratively. Our classes revolve around discussion, so each project becomes a vessel for reflection and improvement.

 

For many of my pieces, I begin with a simple sketch and use the page as a graphic organizer for my work. I then decide on a color palette that accurately resembles the emotion of the design, and lastly, I delve into a digital application to polish the piece. Through this process, I developed an artistic style that draws inspiration from my Brazilian culture. I use bright, saturated colors juxtaposed with geometric and rugged shapes. Many pieces in my portfolio are derived from this process, such as "My Identity" and "Titan Beetle (Titanus giganteus)."

 

I intend to build a bridge between the technical aspects of my designs and the emotional impact they can have. I plan to devote my life to making designs that act as communication devices. Through my art, I will continue communicating about issues I believe in and expressing my