1 - Introduction

My Name is Oli and I’m a senior studying CD (Communication Design) at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. I was previously majoring in Illustration and I actively try to incorporate my illustration work into my design projects. As a professional, I have worked with a variety of eclectic clientele including in-house corporate illustration and graphic design work, performance art advertisement, fashion branding design and a wide variety of illustration specific freelance work. 

​​One of the most interesting projects I took part in was submitting a self-portrait to an art competition. The art company Pictoplasma sent out a challenge with this mission:
With several trillion photos now in circulation, what do all the endless selfies, profane profile pics, and pathetic Face Swaps really say about our identities? In an open call for entries, Pictoplasma challenged young, emerging artists AGED 18-24 to truly express their personality with a self-portrait that lets their real character shine.

In the end I was one of the artists chosen to be featured at Pictoplasma Berlin Conference May 2018 in Berlin, Germany in the Face-Off portrait gallery.

Outside of my illustration and graphic design work I’m very passionate about special effects make up and drag artistry. I grew up watching shows like Face Off on the SYFY channel and being fascinated by the illusions and “magic” the artists could bring to life. On the flip side in the queer community, when I first entered college and saw my first drag show I was in awe with their own art form and the illusions each of the performers created.

In regards to this writing class I want to improve my story telling abilities and communication through my written content. I think if I could better learn to write articles or smaller posts then that might help me achieve this goal. Also, I believe being forced to go out and interview people will definitely get me out of my comfort zone.