Marissa Balbuena
Graphic Design Student at University of Florida
Gainesville, FL, USAAs a visual communicator, I experiment utilizing the computer as a design tool to construct a variety of works to explore a multitude of themes, from the biological aspects of life to the culture surrounding me. I am fascinated by the computer itself, the digital life created within, from minor glitches occurring to screens freezing. I manipulate and overlap typography to create dynamic and deconstructive layouts, just like the New Wave and Grunge typography styles. The spaces in between these subjects are what hold the most information that allow for the perception of depth and the energy in confinement. My work goes against traditional, organized compositions as I innovate ways to incorporate imagery and fonts to the negative space.
As a fine artist, I explore the theme of spatial and scale relationships between people and buildings. I create pen and watercolor illustrations of different architectural settings. The minuscule people have no comparison to the massiveness of architectural landscapes. We are dominated by the overwhelming abundance of buildings. My main inspiration is New York City – a lively world within a world – and the subtle yet complex buildings in Ecuador. Space is vital, how an architectural development supports life and people. We have relied on buildings for our shelter and resources for survival.
I also combine graphic elements to my art making, using the basic of shapes and the primary/secondary colors to represent the many topics in biology such as biochemistry and ecology. Integrating the concepts of biology to my work allows me to apply my design skills to captivate and educate others through representational visualizations such as diagrams and books.
As a fine artist, I explore the theme of spatial and scale relationships between people and buildings. I create pen and watercolor illustrations of different architectural settings. The minuscule people have no comparison to the massiveness of architectural landscapes. We are dominated by the overwhelming abundance of buildings. My main inspiration is New York City – a lively world within a world – and the subtle yet complex buildings in Ecuador. Space is vital, how an architectural development supports life and people. We have relied on buildings for our shelter and resources for survival.
I also combine graphic elements to my art making, using the basic of shapes and the primary/secondary colors to represent the many topics in biology such as biochemistry and ecology. Integrating the concepts of biology to my work allows me to apply my design skills to captivate and educate others through representational visualizations such as diagrams and books.
Work Experience
University Of Florida Lastinger Center
Content Developer/Editor Graphic Designer
Create graphical assets for videos, course resources, and websites, complete graphical design requests using the supplied branding guidelines, and assist in refinement of existing branding guidelines.
November 2019
-
Florida, United States
Starbucks
Food Service Workers
Responsible for preparing and/or building food items while providing customer service and adhering to food safety, food handling, and sanitation procedures.
February 2019
- November 2019
Florida, United States
III Points, Music, Art & Technology Festival
Graphic Design Intern
Designed flyers and ads for social media platforms, and worked with the head of the graphic design department.
September 2017
- March 2018
Florida, United States
Stephen P. Clark Government Center
Human Resources Intern
Administrative work duties in the human resources department; filing, creating folders for new employees, creating new hire packets, inputting data on Microsoft Excel, and working directly with the human resources administrative team.
July 2017
- August 2017
Florida, United States
Education
Design And Architecture Senior High
High School Diploma
Studied Graphic Design/Visual Communications as well as fine art such as Drawing Portfolio, 2D Design, Painting, and Drawing.
August 2014
- June 2018
Florida, United States
Florida International University
Dual Enrollment (Non-Degree)
Dual Enrollment Courses in 2D Design, Fine Art (Painting and Drawing), and Spanish I and II
August 2015
- June 2018
Miami, Florida, United States
School Of Visual Arts (SVA)
Pre-College Certificate
3-credit course in Experimental Video/Film
July 2016
- August 2016
New York, New York, United States
Languages
English (Fluent),
Spanish (Conversational),
Awards
University Of Florida
Dean's List
2018
Skills
35mm Film,
Adobe After Effects,
Adobe CC,
Adobe Illustrator,
Adobe Indesign,
Adobe Photoshop,
Adobe Premiere Pro ,
Book Making,
Ceramics,
Communication Skills,
Darkroom Development,
Drawing,
DSLR,
GROUP WORK,
Microsoft Office Proficiency,
Photography,
Public Relations,
Visual Communications,
Community Service
Completed over 400 hours in the following organizations:
- Special Olympics
- American Cancer Society
- Autism Speaks
- Lead to Feed Paper Pals
- Lifetime Miami Marathons
- Casseroles for Camillus House
- Coconut Grove Arts Festival
- Feed my Starving Children
- Breast Cancer Walk
- Baptist Hospital Turkey Trot
- Special Olympics
- American Cancer Society
- Autism Speaks
- Lead to Feed Paper Pals
- Lifetime Miami Marathons
- Casseroles for Camillus House
- Coconut Grove Arts Festival
- Feed my Starving Children
- Breast Cancer Walk
- Baptist Hospital Turkey Trot
Activities
WARP Art Show Final Student Exhibition
WarpHaus Gallery | Gainesville, FL | 2018
Vox Graphis Club
UF School of Art + Art History| Gainesville, FL | 2018 - present
National Honor Society
Miami, FL | 2015 - 2018
Young Designers Consortium
Miami, FL | 2016 - 2018
School of Visual Arts Final Exhibition in Experimental Video / Film
New York City, NY | 2016
Biology, reading, and math tutor
Miami, FL | 2015 - 2018
WarpHaus Gallery | Gainesville, FL | 2018
Vox Graphis Club
UF School of Art + Art History| Gainesville, FL | 2018 - present
National Honor Society
Miami, FL | 2015 - 2018
Young Designers Consortium
Miami, FL | 2016 - 2018
School of Visual Arts Final Exhibition in Experimental Video / Film
New York City, NY | 2016
Biology, reading, and math tutor
Miami, FL | 2015 - 2018