Design is... ​
storytelling
problem solving
experimentation
connection
Science research trains us to navigate ambiguity, test ideas, and communicate complex phenomena with clarity and intention. Design builds on that foundation, allowing us to shape not just what we discover, but how it is understood.
Figures
One place researchers use design outside of experiments is in creating figures for journal articles. When writing a paper, these figures help tell the story by highlighting what’s most important. The goal is to make them as clear and informative as possible, so someone can quickly understand what’s going on. Over time, fields develop familiar ways of presenting information, which makes them easier to read for those who work in that area. Below are two examples of figures I created for research projects.
This figure includes panels A–G, each guiding the reader through the experiment taken place.
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(A) Shows a schematic of the device—a battery-like system that allows us to control changes to a material. (B) Is an image of the real device, highlighting the key components including the material of interest. (C) Shows the atomic structure of that material. (D) Provides another view of said material (area from the dotted white box in (B)). (E) Demonstrates how the material changes under applied conditions. (F) and (G) offer additional views of these changes at the atomic level.
This figure explains how ferroelectric materials behave—materials that can store and switch electric charge.
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(A) Shows where this behavior comes from at the atomic level, with atoms (colored circles) shifting slightly in position. (B) Shows a typical data curve (a loop), with arrows indicating where the charge switches direction. (C) Illustrates how charges are arranged and how they respond when an electric field (an applied voltage) is used. (D) Shows how this behavior changes with different effects compared to the original state.
presentations
Scientific presentations, whether oral talks, posters, or live demonstrations, are another place where design plays a critical role in how ideas are understood and remembered. Researchers use design to guide attention, simplify complex concepts, and keep audiences engaged. Thoughtful choices like minimal text, purposeful animations and simple cues like laser pointers help highlight key ideas without overwhelming the audience, making complex concepts easier to follow and remember. Below are selected posters and slides I've designed.
This poster won a 'Best Poster' prize at a nanotechnology conference.
Dynamic Presentations
past projects
I pursued a graphic design minor during undergrad as a creative outlet, not realizing how instrumental it would be to my Ph.D. Below are a few of my favorite projects from this time.
Brand identity
I spent a semester creating a fictional business, After Party, developing its brand identity, logo, and promotional materials. Below are the highlights.
Typography
Typography is one of my favorite aspects of design, as it controls how text feels and is understood. Below is a magazine where I designed the cover and layout (text from NASA's website), a book I designed for a scholars program while in undergrad, as well as a spread I designed and wrote copy about one of my favorite multi-talented artists.
This project involved designing a "gratuitous" original alphabet and custom letterforms.
