📸 by Stephanie Portugal
I believe great design tells a story. As a designer, my passion lies in crafting meaningful visual narratives and building cohesive brand identity systems that connect people on a deeper level.
Originally from central Pennsylvania, I earned my BFA in Graphic and Interactive Design from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia. After graduation, I moved to Southern California to join AkinsParker, a full-service design and advertising agency in Santa Ana. Over five years, I collaborated with clients like Toyota Motor Sales, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Irvine Company, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Pacifica Hotels, and Smile Brands, honing my skills across a wide range of industries.
Most recently, I was a Senior Designer at The Shipyard, a leading advertising agency with offices in Newport Beach, San Diego, Sacramento, and Columbus, Ohio. During my three years there, I was proud to serve as the lead designer for In-N-Out Burger, overseeing everything from in-store point-of-purchase campaigns to social media graphics and nonprofit foundation initiatives. I also contributed to high-profile tourism campaigns for Visit California, San Diego Tourism Authority, and Visit SLO CAL, designing impactful out-of-home campaigns, branding, and trade show materials.
With over eight years of agency experience, I specialize in visual storytelling across print and digital design, branding and identity systems, environmental design, and more. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me practicing yoga, exploring hiking trails, or living it up with my dachshund puppy, Molly.