I am a multi-disciplinary designer, living and working in Los Angeles, California, primarily designing projects that focus on identity, examine the concepts of place, cultural paradigms and identity empowerment.
I was born in San Salvador, El Salvador and immigrated to the U.S. in '89. My creative design journey began at Pasadena City College (PCC), and I graduated The Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in 2008.
In 2010 I founded Archeffect Design, to unite my passion for graphic design with architecture, with the premise that the role of the designer is a facilitator rather than an expert. I believe that each of us has a powerful story and a unique set of experiences that are essential contributions to the creative process. I look for what is already working before seeking new design solutions, healing and empowering the community through the process.
I am a womxn, feminist, lesbian, and activist with a grassroots and punk-rock approach. I am grateful to have shared my work at the Architecture + Design Museum ‘Come In Les Femmes’, the Coachella Music & Arts Festival 2012, EDC Las Vegas 2013, Coachella Music & Arts Festival 2014, and Chevere 2019. Most recently I was awarded 1st place for the Yes to ADU Design Competition in Los Angeles, to help in alleviating the humanitarian crisis of homelessness. Let's go make epic work together!
Archeffect Design, Los Angeles, Chief Creative Officer
A business I modeled after fusing my architectural background and identity design skills with the understanding that the creative process is universal and can be applied to multiple scales of design, concluding that "Design is One". At ARCHEFFECT we focus on identifying the unique proposition of each business, outlining their cause and purpose, creating experiences their Clients will remember and love. I have the great opportunity to lead a team of innovative and driven creatives, executing projects from brand strategy to logos, from websites to space planning projects.
WHAT WE DO:
- brand assessment & strategy
- user experience design (ui)
- schematic design
- space planning
- manifesto & branding guidelines
- logo design
- user interface design (ui)
- product mockups
- design drawings (blueprints)
- website design & development
- marketing collateral
- design-build fabrications
- construction documents & permits
- project management
5+design, Hollywood, CA, US, Graphic Designer
- Architectural Graphics
- Diagram Techniques and Strategy
- Digital Presentations
- Visual communication
- Graphic design
- Project Publications
- Competition boards
- Proposal design
LAIAD, Los Angeles, Professor
Teaching students to develop a clear diagramming language in relationship to their work and the ability to communicate design, space and conceptual relationships through visual presentation. Emphasis on how designers can optimize and understand the role of digital medium in today's design industry.
- Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator Workshops
- Portfolio Layouts composition, hierarchy and graphic design fundamentals
- Visual communication Techniques
- Illustrating Concepts and Project Ideas
- Individual Branding
Stereobot, Los Angeles, CA, US, Project Manager / Fabricator / Design
Design/Build Space-frame installations by Architect Alexis Rochas.
Works built include Gateway, Lightweaver, FlowWalls, Flock of Walls, SCI_Arc GradTent 2006-2008:
Exhibited at:
Coachella Valley Music Festival 2014
EDC Las Vegas 2013
Nocturnal Wonderland 2013
Coachella Valley Music Festival 2012
The Southern California Institute of Architecture 2006-2008
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, CA, US, BArch, Architecture
Architecture, DesignBuild, Sustainability, Graphics
research + documentation, urban waste, sustainable strategies, community learning, design build, prototyping, installations
2008: NO9 New Orlean's Design Build Outreach
Lower Ninth Ward, Hurricaine Katrina Aftermath - Research, designing, concrete casting, proto-type fabrication, community activist, presentations, documenting New Orleans housing types and culture.
2008: Milano Exchange Program
Document different fabrication techniques, Interview designers and architects regarding their craft
Explore the industrialization/production sector of Milano, Italy
Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, D.F., BArch, Architecture, Sustainable Studies
ECO-Communities, Architectural Sustainable Strategies, Impoverished living conditions of Chimalhuacan Mexico, Mexican Aztec Civilization history
Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA, US, AA / GE
Activities and Societies: Architecture, Art, Music, Writing, Sociology and Anthropology
Exhibited Architecture/Writing work at the Borders of Diversity conference in 2005
Yes to ADU, 1st Place
In January, 2018, a jury of architects, policy makers, educators and arts professionals reviewed design competition entries and made anonymous selections for a $12,000 First Prize.
