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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  • 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…

  • How Rhode Uses Audience Segmentation to Succeed in Paid Social

    The Brand: Rhode For this analysis, I chose Rhode, a direct-to-consumer skincare brand created by Hailey Bieber. Rhode is recognized for its simple product line, neutral look, and strong presence on Instagram and TikTok. The brand relies heavily on paid social media ads, especially during product launches and restocks. Since Rhode operates mainly online and…

  • The Five Seconds Test: What Users Actually Notice First

    When people visit a website, they don’t read everything. They scan. Most users decide if they understand a page in just a few seconds. The Five Seconds Test is a UX method that measures that moment: what a user remembers after a quick first impression. This method focuses on clarity, visual hierarchy, and whether the…

  • Paid Social Media Audit: Rhode Skin TikTok Conversion Ad

    https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=2309032482940118 Rhode Skin’s paid social advertising focuses on beauty campaigns that drive conversions. The ad highlights Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment and aims to encourage viewers to go from knowing about the product to buying it. The main goal of the campaign is to drive conversions. The ad stresses product benefits, immediate availability, and a clear…

  • Mock Paid Social Media Campaign: Rhode Skin

    February 8, 2026 Campaign Overview This mock paid social media campaign was created using Facebook Ads Manager to simulate a real advertising strategy for Rhode Skin, a skincare brand known for its simple aesthetic and strong presence on social media. The purpose of this campaign is to show how a business would set up a…

  • Iterative Design: Why Good Design Is Never “Done”

    January 29, 2026 One common misunderstanding about design is the idea that there is a clear endpoint. When something looks polished, has a successful launch, or receives positive feedback, it is often seen as complete. Iterative design challenges this view. Instead of seeing design as a one-time goal, it views it as an ongoing process…