STELLA GUTIERREZ

Dejine Magazine

Siat Spring Showcase & Competition

Chopstix

SFU Dutch Design

SIAT Graduate and Undergraduate Brochures

O-Juicer

Chloros

Sandstorm

Maclean

Critical Element

In collaboration with Amadon Coletsis, I worked on the third installment of Dejine, a magazine that showcases student design projects from Simon Fraser University. We ensured to make use of graphical elements consistent with those in previous issues. However, we also wanted to create a new cover that made a bold statement. While the cover has the standard Dejine logo, I chose a deep red for the background mainly because of its strong presence, and I carefully constructed a web like pattern that blends with the logo, but that also seems to hold it in place.

The design for this poster was greatly inspired by Kam Tang's vector illustrations. The poster was meant to pique interest for the SIAT Spring Showcase + Competition, which showcased students' projects in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology in six categories: Interaction Design, Moving Image, Science & Technology, Programming & Games, Research & Undergraduates, and Lower Division. My idea for the poster was to integrate the tools used in making these projects (don't forget the coffee). The brain and the heart were meant to suggest that the projects are products of thinking and feeling, by people with heart and soul.

Responsible for:
Design Concept

Tools:
Adobe Illustrator

Inspired by our team mate's story about her friend who didn't know how to use chopsticks, yet insisted on using them for the experience, we designed a tool that allows people to easily step into a culture. By taking one of the most basic tools of Asian culture, the chopsticks, and making it easy for anyone to use, it changes any feeling of unease or apprehension and allows anyone to very naturally take a step into the culture. All research taken into account, we kept the basic form of the chopsticks, but left indents so users know where to place their fingers. They can be joined together at the ends so it is unmistakable which side the thumb should be on. This project was featured on Shaw TV, with a quick demonstration by yours truly.

Responsible for:
Research
Presentation Content
3D Model Assistance

Collaborators:
Wisam Abdulla
Emily Ip
Mariam Khan
Karen Truong

Tools:
SolidWorks
Prototyping

The SFU dutchDesign website is the culmination of the Northern Europe design field study I participated in. It houses all the research and interviews we have conducted with established designers, such as Gijs Bakker and Petra Blaisse. I was in charge of developing a look and feel for the website, working with Kevin Fales (who coded the entire site) and Andrew Fung (who created the mark for the field study). I took inspiration from well-known Dutch graphic designers and identity architects, including Thonik, EDHV and Ben Faydherbe and Wout de Vringer. The result is an interface with character, making use of strong textual elements.

Responsible for:
Web Interface Design

Collaborators:
Kevin Fales
Andrew Fung

Tools:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator

The School of Interactive Arts + Technology at Simon Fraser University needed new brochures that informed prospective students about their undergraduate and graduate programs. I was given a template to start with, but I was allowed to rethink some elements of the design. Through the design, I wanted to distinguish the faculty from the others, as it was a unique department at SFU that oozed creativity and innovation. Instead of using the usual boxes to contain text, I used splashes of colour to add more energy. I was careful to choose the placement of text and images to maximize the space, yet avoid a feeling of crowdedness. About 2000 copies were printed for the undergraduate brochure, and about 1000 for the graduate brochure.

Responsible for:
Brochure Design

Tools:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator

Today’s fast pace of life is reflected and manifested in everything around us, and is especially evident in the products we buy and consume everyday. Products are created for automaticity or instant consumption, taking away rich experiences from consumers. We have become reliant on technologies that do the work for us. We forget to think about a product’s underlying processes and how it came to be. We believe it is important to slow down and appreciate what is put into the creation of products, because we believe this kind of behaviour is crucial to individual freedom and quality of life. Thus, we proposed the O-Juicer, which engages its user in reflection, as he or she is forced to be a part of the final product.

Responsible for:
Research
Written Reports
Concept Design

Collaborators:
Emily Ip
Kennett Kwok
Karen Tam

Tools:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator

Chloros Contracting Inc. is a construction company with a goal of learning and adapting to the changing environment as they strive towards building a green future. I was asked by the client to rework their existing logo, which was hand-drawn, and take that concept and design something simple and modern. This logo is one of several proposals, which I thought communicated what the company is about, through the subtle form of a house and the placement of a leaf at the end.

Responsible for:
Logo Design

Tools:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Pen & Paper

It was an exciting challenge for me to give Sandstorm's financial reports a new look. They wanted the imagery to proudly display their growth as a company. I edited their photos so that they were rich in colour, ensuring they contributed to the overall image Sandstorm wanted to convey. I chose colours, fonts and images that embodied a sense of boldness and vitality.

Responsible for:
Report Design
Direction

Tools:
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator

I was tasked to design a website for Maclean that expressed their identity as a band. I designed the website so that it had elements that conveyed their musical style, which is light and airy, but brilliant and full of life. I wanted the design to communicate a sense of lightheartedness. I incorporated different kinds of social media that the band frequently used, so that their site content was always up to date.

Responsible for:
Web Interface Design
Web Coding

Tools:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Dreamweaver

Working with Critical Element was one of the best experiences I've had designing album art. I worked with them closely on their first full-length studio album to establish an image that brought out the band's manic energy and unique music: a fusion of reggae rock and hip-hop. Crucial to my design inspiration was the fact that they were largely influenced by Bob Marley. The rest of the design was inspired by a Gnarls Barkley music video, to bring out the hip-hop side of their music. Critical Element eventually changed their name to Goodbye Beatdown, and in 2009 became champions of CFOX radio’s prestigious Seeds competition.

Responsible for:
Album Design
Direction

Tools:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator