👋🏽 hi, i’m illkya, a latina multidisciplinary graphic designer based in philly. i infuse my work with cultural insight, empathy, and edge, holding a bfa in graphic design from the university of the arts. i view design as a dynamic blend of conceptual thinking and storytelling, grounded in human connection.
👁️ with a strong foundation in fine arts, i approach each project as a narrative waiting to unfold. i am dedicated to understanding my clients, their needs, and the vision they have for their work— no matter the scale. by empathizing with their concerns and aspirations, i strive to elevate their ideas in unexpected ways, transforming complex concepts into impactful visuals.
☯️ i thrive on design’s dualities, embracing the minimalist alongside the maximalist and the rough alongside the polished. this philosophy extends to my creative process, where i believe that beauty— whether overlooked, unconventional, or raw— can drive transformation and inspire innovative solutions. with aspirations to delve deeper into branding and art direction, i aim to craft compelling visual identities that resonate on a profound level while driving brand engagement and recognition.
💭 my approach centers around a commitment to understanding and connecting with the narratives of each project. i prioritize collaboration and effective communication, believing in creating work that resonates deeply and speaks to clients in ways that elevate their ideas and uncover possibilities they may not have considered.
🖥️ my work encompasses indie campaigns, branding for local nonprofits, and interdisciplinary projects that challenge conventional thinking, all rooted in a human-centered mindset. i’m particularly drawn to communities that celebrate diverse perspectives and foster creative freedom.
🎶 outside of my professional pursuits, i enjoy attending concerts, exploring the culinary scene, and engaging with the vibrant local art and design community. whether i’m photographing the world around me or taking self-portraits, i embrace every opportunity for inspiration. always evolving as both a person and a designer, i create with intention, striving to balance beauty and grit in everything i do.
¿curious for more?
for one-offs and self-initiated design you haven’t seen:
check out her metaphysical studio ⤷ @illkyaa ⤶
if you want to get a little more intimate...
feel free to follow on my personal IG for glimpes of my life, inspiration, etc. ⤷ @gothprima ⤶
download resume
👁️ with a strong foundation in fine arts, i approach each project as a narrative waiting to unfold. i am dedicated to understanding my clients, their needs, and the vision they have for their work— no matter the scale. by empathizing with their concerns and aspirations, i strive to elevate their ideas in unexpected ways, transforming complex concepts into impactful visuals.
☯️ i thrive on design’s dualities, embracing the minimalist alongside the maximalist and the rough alongside the polished. this philosophy extends to my creative process, where i believe that beauty— whether overlooked, unconventional, or raw— can drive transformation and inspire innovative solutions. with aspirations to delve deeper into branding and art direction, i aim to craft compelling visual identities that resonate on a profound level while driving brand engagement and recognition.
💭 my approach centers around a commitment to understanding and connecting with the narratives of each project. i prioritize collaboration and effective communication, believing in creating work that resonates deeply and speaks to clients in ways that elevate their ideas and uncover possibilities they may not have considered.
🖥️ my work encompasses indie campaigns, branding for local nonprofits, and interdisciplinary projects that challenge conventional thinking, all rooted in a human-centered mindset. i’m particularly drawn to communities that celebrate diverse perspectives and foster creative freedom.
🎶 outside of my professional pursuits, i enjoy attending concerts, exploring the culinary scene, and engaging with the vibrant local art and design community. whether i’m photographing the world around me or taking self-portraits, i embrace every opportunity for inspiration. always evolving as both a person and a designer, i create with intention, striving to balance beauty and grit in everything i do.
¿curious for more?
for one-offs and self-initiated design you haven’t seen:
check out her metaphysical studio ⤷ @illkyaa ⤶
if you want to get a little more intimate...
feel free to follow on my personal IG for glimpes of my life, inspiration, etc. ⤷ @gothprima ⤶
download resume
hablo español. ︎︎
“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from - it’s where you take them to." —Jim Jarmusch
find me
are.nabehance (ancient work)
vimeo
working not working
collab?
comment?
critique?
please get in touch. ︎services
album artwork & designmusic promotional design
event promotional design
graphic design
concept development
branding & identity
print & digital
social media design
creative direction
art direction
photography
skills
adobe creative suitetypography
typesetting in spanish
editorial design
drawing & illustration
painting
experience
mighty engine, philadelphia, pagraphic designer, feb ‘21 — sept ‘22
starr restaurants, philadelphia, pa
lead production coordinator, june ‘19 — feb ‘21
curious ways (fka back to front design)
london, england
freelance graphic designer, nov ‘18 — dec ‘18
gdloft, philadelphia, pa
design intern, sep ‘18 — dec ‘18
underground pool, philadelphia, pa
lead designer, sep ‘17 — mar ‘18
sedso design, philadelphia, pa
design intern, may ‘17 — aug ‘17
notable
crafted/member showcase, philadelphia, pa
featured artist, oct ‘21
crafted/
member showcase, philadelphia, pa
featured artist, feb ‘20
the university of the arts
mentor match up, philadelphia, pa
volunteer, feb ‘20
the bridge magazine, issue 3,
philadelphia, pa
featured contributor, april ‘19
fight for human rights t-shirt campaign, philadelphia, pa
t-shirt designer, dec ‘18
designphiladelphia, philadelphia, pa
volunteer, sep ‘18
nj mega meet, atlantic city, nj
featured photographer, may ‘17
“this is my philly” | spells writing lab workshop
aigaphilly, philadelphia, pa
volunteer, sep ‘16
organizations
crafted/, philadelphia, pa
general member, nov ‘19 — present
design activist institute, philadelphia, pa
general member, aug ‘18 — present
aigaphilly, philadelphia, pa
general member, sep ‘16 — present