ABOUT ME
Hey, I'm Eli.
Thanks for stopping by.
I'm a thinker, maker and do-er. I appreciate simplicity, creativity and living well.
When I reflect on my life, it makes perfect sense to me that I've grown into a designer. After all, I once drew a giant letter ‘A’ on my mom’s apartment wall, with red crayon. Apparently it was so nice that my grandmother congratulated me for it! There was another a time when a drawing of mine was selected to be on a T-shirt for my class
during a design competition in the 6th grade. Also very telling!
Growing up on the East Coast of the U.S., I loved drawing and creating new superheroes, playing video games, and watching lots of films...the artsy independent ones, the summer blockbusters, the retro sci-fi films and especially quirky comedies like Nacho Libre and Napoleon Dynamite. Thanks to my also curious and creative parents, I was given a broad view of the world. As a son of musicians, I naturally got into music production, which led me into designing cover art for myself and others. Then in college, I wanted to expand my client base, offering me a chance to collaborate with more like-minded individuals. Those who had missions focused on helping other human beings, or the environment. But that love for film never went away, so around that same time I began creating short-film posters for my buddies in the film school, and posters for friend who ran a film club that organized showings of classic films on campus.
When it was time to find an internship, I found a startup incubator in downtown Ithaca and began working with a team of mostly engineering students from Cornell to design an app, product packaging and logo ideas for their agriculture tech startup. Up until graduation, I continued to hone in on my skills. Once I returned home to the DMV, I took a break from design to complete a year of service with AmeriCorps, working with teens to help them make healthier lifestyle choices, create life goals and get back on track academically. After the program, I landed my first full-time job as a designer,
with Truth Initiative in Washington, D.C. where I contributed my skills as a designer to educating teens & young adults about the harm attached to commercial tobacco and nicotine addiction.
Fast forward to today, and I'm working with The Walt Disney Company & National Geographic, creating art for docu-series and more. I continue to work with clients as a way to serve others and hone in on my craft. My favorite pastimes include cooking meals with friends and family, watching YouTube to learn something new,
getting outside to move my body and have some fresh air, or just relaxing hard on the couch while I check out a new film or the latest games the PlayStation store has to offer.
Despite all that happens in the world, I'm grateful to be able to still build a life around the things that truly matter to me, with the idea that my contributions will help create a world where health, education, creativity and peace are prioritized and accessible for all.
Thank you for checking out the portfolio. Make sure to check in every now and then for updates. I'm always creating. Peace.
