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.

Category: Uncategorized

  • 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…

  • Mental Models: Designing for How Users Actually Think

    January 29, 2026 Every time we use a website or app, we don’t start fresh. Our past experiences shape our expectations about where buttons are located, how navigation works, and what happens when we click or tap. These expectations are called mental models, and they play a big role in whether a digital experience feels…

  • Where Aesthetics Meet Analytics: Rhode Skin’s Organic Social Performance

    January 29, 2026 In a quickly growing beauty market, standing out on social media requires more than just attractive visuals. Brands need to balance new ideas with careful planning, using data to shape their content creation and distribution. Rhode Skin exemplifies a brand that effectively merges minimalistic design with strong organic social media engagement. By…

  • Understanding Social Media Performance via Metrics: Lemme

    January 25, 2026 Lemme, the wellness and supplement brand established by Kourtney Kardashian Barker, has developed a robust presence on social media, particularly on Instagram and TikTok. The brand’s social media approach combines organic interactions and paid advertising to establish its identity, expand its audience, and convert followers into customers. By drawing on concepts from…

  • Looking Through My Versions: An Overview of the Topics I Have Been Writing About

    I have been writing a longer post lately about a topic that has been on my mind for years: how social media subtly influences the self-perception of young women and girls. Not in the stereotypical “social media is terrible” sense, but rather in the realistic, messy, intimate way that the majority of us encounter it.…

  • My Head’s Been Feeling Crowded Lately (So Here’s What I’m Doing About It)

    November 16, 2025 The Weight of a Constantly “On” Mind Lately, I’ve noticed my brain feels packed. Like it’s always “on.” Even when I’m supposedly relaxing, there’s this constant hum of ideas, a mental to-do list swirling, images flashing, and creative thoughts popping up. Additionally, there is the constant pressure to keep up with everything…