Hello!
My name is Quela, (pronounced “Kella”... kinda like “Kayla”... but with more “ella” and less “ayla”), and I happily spend my days designing graphics and illustrations for The University of Florida’s (UF) Strategic Communications and Marketing team; In this position, I collaborate with other designers, copywriters, and marketing specialists to ensure the University’s brand is visually represented in the best way possible. I grew up on the Delaware coast, and moved to sunny Florida to finish my degrees in Emerging Media - Graphic Design (B.F.A.) and Legal Studies (B.A.) at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Before joining the UF team, I worked as a graphic designer for the UCF College of Graduate Studies; there, I created a range of print and digital materials for both the college and the Office of Research. As a designer, I enjoy developing exciting brand elements and promotional materials; my favorite projects are ones with just-enough challenges, where I can explore innovative solutions. In my free time, I can be found sampling coffees from local shops, streaming crime dramas, and tending to my ever-growing houseplant collection.
Please feel free to contact me with any inquiries or opportunities.
Education
University of Central Florida
Emerging Media - Graphic Design (B.F.A.), and Legal Studies (B.A.)
Events
Featured artist for the 2020 Taste of Oviedo, The Dandelion Community Café "Kappa Pi and Friends" Show (2020), Emerging artist in The Winter-Springs ArtoberFEST (2019), The Climate Correction Art Expo (2019), The Barefoot Spa Nature Show (2019), The Dandelion Community Café Fantasy Show (2019)
Experience
Graphic Designer
2022 - present
Currently, I work for the University of Florida's Strategic Communications and Marketing team. Here, I collaborate with other designers, copywriters, and marketing specialists to design visuals that uphold the UF brand. Additionally, I assist in providing weekly Brand Camp presentations to inform fellow campus communicators on how to effectively use the UF brand.
Graphic Designer
2020 - 2022
In this position, I worked for the University of Central Florida to create graphics, videos, and animations for the College of Graduate Studies; I designed both print and digital materials, while adhering to the UCF Brand Guidelines. Keystone projects included our legislative flyers, a series of interview videos with UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright about the importance of research, and the 2019 and 2020 Annual Reports for both the Office of Research and College of Graduate Studies.
Art Director
2021 - 2022
In early August of 2021, I began working as the Art Director for UCF's Centric Magazine; this issue was the 10th anniversary issue. As art director, I started by overhauling the Centric brand, and developing a set of brand guidelines for all printed and digital materials. Day to day, I collaborated with our managing editors to determine featured content, and create strategies for printed, social, and website materials. I also designed elements of the magazine, and oversaw all spread designs and sourced illustrations. Additionally, I illustrated the cover of this issue of the magazine.
Content Creator
2019 - 2020
After completing an internship with the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce, I worked as a content creator for an independent studio in Orlando, FL. called Jaslyn Marcal Designs. In this position, I connected directly with clients to create custom graphics, write copy, manage content, and ensure live media coverage of events in order to create a strong social media presence for the clients.
Vice President of UCF's Kappa Pi Chapter
2019 - 2021
After joining Kappa Pi in 2018, I was elected as the Editor for the University of Central Florida's Kappa Pi Chapter in Spring 2019. Kappa Pi is an international art honor society that works with its members to build their portfolios, and best prepare them for a career in the arts. While serving as the Editor, I created social media posts and original graphics to keep current members updated on the newest events, and provide information to prospective members. In spring 2020, I was elected as Vice President for Kappa Pi, and served on the board until May 2021.
Graphic Design Intern
2019
In August of 2019, I started work as a Graphic Design intern for the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce. In this position, I used programs from the Adobe Creative Cloud to create promotional materials for the Chamber. Some of the keystone projects I worked on include the 2020 Community Calendar, deliverables for the 2019 Ovation's Award Ceremony, promotional graphics for the 2020 Taste of Oviedo, and various materials for the 2019 Winter-Springs ARToberFEST.
AmeriCorps
2017
I began my artistic career by serving as an AmeriCorps member with the Sussex County Habitat for Humanity in Lewes, Delaware. Working as the Social Media & Graphics Coordinator, I managed the ReStore social media pages and created graphics to advertise special events.