The Dark Edit

Stories, culture, design, and life online through my lens.

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about

I’ve always been fascinated by how fashion businesses create stories and build communities. This fascination inspired me to get a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from SUNY Cortland and is now fueling my pursuit of a Master’s degree in Interactive Media and Communications at Quinnipiac. My goal is to become a Social Media Manager, where I can create intriguing digital storylines for a fashion company. I’m excited to master the abilities required for this program to help bring that vision to life. This blog will serve as an outlet for me to reflect, practice new skills, assess industry trends, and analyze the subjects we cover in class.

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  • Look Closer: Her Story Is in the Details

    How visual clues reveal the stories hidden inside an image The Story Starts Before We Know It We often understand the feeling of an image before we even realize how many details we have noticed. A facial expression, a reflection, the color of a dress, or something placed in the background can make us wonder…

  • Redesigning Trust: My Rinaldi Electric Brand Proposal

    When I started this project, I didn’t just want to redesign a brand; I wanted to rethink how trust is communicated visually. For my final project, I focused on Rinaldi Electric, a local, family-owned electrical company with a strong reputation built on reliability and relationships. The challenge wasn’t to fix something broken, but to elevate…

  • Why Grids Changed the Way I Think About Design

    Before this module, I honestly thought good design just meant making something “look nice.” If it felt balanced and aesthetically pleasing, I assumed I was doing it right. But after diving into grids, wireframes, and mockups, I realized something important: the best designs aren’t just pretty, they’re intentional. This week completely shifted how I approach…

  • Why Hierarchy in Layout Is What Makes Design Work

    When most people think about design, they usually notice the colors, fonts, or images first. While those details are important, one of the most powerful design tools is hierarchy. Hierarchy in layout is what helps guide the viewer’s eye and makes information easier to understand. Without it, even a visually appealing design can feel cluttered…

  • The Psychology of Color: Why Color Matters More Than You Think

    Color is something we see every day, but most of the time we don’t actually think about how much it influences us. Before this module, I honestly saw color as more of an aesthetic choice. Like something that just makes a design look “good.” But after going through the readings and applying it to my…

  • Brand Identity vs. Brand Strategy: Why Good Design Starts Before the Logo

    When people think about branding, they usually think about logos, colors, and aesthetics. Before this module, I did too. But after diving deeper into brand identity and brand strategy, I realized that strong branding is not just about how something looks; it’s about how it works, how it communicates, and how it builds trust. This…

  • How TikTok Uses User Data: Privacy, Advertising, and Ethical Concerns

    How TikTok Collects and Uses User Data TikTok has become one of the most powerful social media platforms for both content discovery and advertising. With millions of users scrolling through the app daily, the platform collects large amounts of user data to personalize content and improve ad targeting. While this data-driven system helps brands reach…

  • A User Experience Research and Design Project

    The Rhode Skin website serves as the brand’s primary digital platform for presenting skincare products and communicating its philosophy of simple, effective skincare routines. While the website reflects Rhode’s minimalist aesthetic and strong visual branding, user experience research reveals several opportunities to improve navigation, product discovery, and information clarity. This semester-long usability project evaluated the…

  • What I Learned From Usability Testing the Rhode Skin Website

    When we discuss usability testing in theory, it seems simple: observe users, find problem areas, and give suggestions. However, running the sessions showed me how much user behavior differs from what we, as designers and strategists, expect. For this project, I tested the Rhode Skin website to see how well users can complete key e-commerce…

  • Influencer Marketing Strategy: SKYLRK

    SKYLRK is Justin Bieber’s fashion brand. He officially launched it in July 2025. His brand includes hoodies, sunglasses, beanies, and shoes. SKYLRK represents elevated streetwear like oversized silhouettes, neutral palettes, and a laid-back but intentional aesthetic. Unlike fast-fashion influencer brands, SKYLRK leans into minimalism, exclusivity, and strong brand identity. Justin Bieber took everyday items and…