Hi, I’m Isi
DESIGNER, MAKER,
AND EDUCATOR
CRAFTING THOUGHTFUL SOLUTIONS FROM LETTERPRESS TO UX DESIGN
“DESIGN SERVES BOTH A PURPOSE AND AN INTENTION BASED ON FUNCTION AND PROBLEM SOLVING”
RESEARCH
Curious and user-centered, my UX research practice uncovers insights that guide thoughtful, intentional design.
PRODUCTION
Rooted in print and letterpress, my production work brings design off the screen and into tangible, crafted form.
DESIGN
With a foundation in graphic design, I create clear, compelling visuals that connect ideas to audiences.
TEACHING
As a university professor, I foster creative growth and critical thinking in the next generation of designers.
STAYING CHALLENGED AND BEING RESOURCEFUL IS KEY
Creative philosophy
“being an artist doesn’t
mean you’re creative”
Creativity isn’t defined by artistic skill or technical mastery. It’s the ability to transform something out of nothing; the unnoticed, the unimportant, or the unrelated into something meaningful. When I say “nothing,” I don’t mean a blank canvas. We never truly start from zero. We begin with fragments; overlooked observations, discarded ideas, or everyday experiences; and reshape them with intention. We don’t wait for inspiration to strike, we work toward it.
Creativity comes into place through discovering problems, finding opportunities, and having the willingness to improve. I believe creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised often and strengthen through discipline, repetition, curiosity, and intention. While frameworks and design methologies help make creative work thoughtful and efficient, creativity also needs space for play, failure, and unexpected connections. Silly ideas and fast iterations are not distractions; they are often the path forward.
“discovering problems, finding opportunities, and having the willingness to improve”
I often compare creativity to the difference between being clever, smart, and intelligent. Intelligence is the capacity to learn. Being smart reflects quick understanding and readiness to act. But being clever (sharp, mentally agile, and unexpectedly effective) is the heart of creative thinking. In that sense, creativity is being clever first, smart second, and intelligent later.
