Maria Rivera Graphic Designer
A Graphic Design Portfolio Selected Artworks
Graphic Design Portfolio | Maria Rivera
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01
PHOTO EDITING AND MANIPULATION Tools Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom System(s) Mac and PC
1.a
Photo editing is the building block for the bulk of projects I have to work on. Every photograph needs some editing; from a removal of a background element, a simple color balance, a quick enhancement to making something new from various pieces to create one new image to fit the project in question. I’ve been working with Photoshop since C2 and being able to grow my skills along with the application has been a joy and a challenge that I’m always looking forward to facing.
2.a
1.b Example 1.a, on the left, showcases the original image, which although beautiful, is dark, photographed in a low light setting with no additional lighting. Due to the height of the item, we had problems in attempting to light it so we used the existing overhead lights. Example 1.b, on the right, shows the same image after being introduced to Adobe Lightroom for level and contrast adjustment and imported into Photoshop for additional layers to bring out more of the color, additional details were added by digital painting and background was a adjusted with a blur motion to make to forefront really stand out.
2.b
Example2.a was photographed at night with low lighting which gave it a yellow cast as the photographer and I attempted various settings to finally get this version. 2.b, has been edited to remove the yellow overcast without effecting the yellow within the flowers. In addition, layers were added for levels, color correction, sharpness enhancement and brightness.
Graphic Design Portfolio | Maria Rivera
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PHOTO EDITING AND MANIPULATION
3.a
Tools Adobe Photoshop System(s) Mac and PC
3.b
3.c
Using separate images to create a new image like 3.c can be a challenge especially with a reflective surface but here I used an existing image of a empty glass terrarium (3.a) and photographing succulents I own as well as pebbles in a round container, I brought all the individual images into Photoshop and after removing backgrounds (3.b), enhancing, and layers I ended up with 3.c. Although the company did not end up using the image, I’m very satisfied with the results.
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Maria Rivera | Graphic Design Portfolio
4.a
5.a
4.b
Example 4.a, showcases the original image, which although beautiful, has a dark background that will not work for the purpose of a catalog or web image as well as the prop used to hold the item in place. Example 4.b, shows the same image with the background and prop removed, making this image accessible to be used in various projects.
5.b
The original image, 5.a, was photographed with no light source and it’s noticeable. Colors are muted and dark and this was the image selected to be the cover to a product catalog. Using Lightroom to enhance the raw file provided, I was able to adjust lighting, brightness, contrast, saturation, and color balance before importing into Photoshop for additional edits such as removing the light bulb in the chandelier, adding a field blur or enhance the foreground and adding additional elements for a completed look.
Graphic Design Portfolio | Maria Rivera
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02
PACKAGING DESIGN Tools Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator System(s) Mac and PC
Three- fourths of the work is packaging. Boxes, bags, hang tags, labels and so much more. As long as I have dimensions, I can Create my guides or the die-cut so that all the creative elements can be placed inside. Creating die-cuts from nothing can be a bit of a headache but once done, it’s the best feeling because then, the creative magic happens.
ITEM NO: 90-1013
This was a three part project; I was tasked to create the display box, the inner packaging of the packs and a color label for a larger bottle of the same product. 
Every so often a project will come along with no information; no die line, no dimensions, no creative elements, just nothing but a part number and a description.
Using Photoshop, I cleaned and enhanced the images and some additional painting was done along the glass bowl. 
This die line was that. I was tasked with the project but when asking for direction none was provided so I took the project and made it my own. Using an existing artwork from a similar item, this product becomes an extension of the line. Taking images from a previously unused project involving pastries, I used Photoshop to remove background images on those as well as the stand itself and created a new image as seen on the artwork above.
Using Illustrator, I created the three individual die lines for the display box, packs, and label and imported all images into a separate layer while still using Illustrator to finish the project by adding all the copy, and branding.
Graphic Design Portfolio | Maria Rivera
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PACKAGING DESIGN
6.a
Tools Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator System(s) Mac and PC
6.b
Currently going through a re-branding of all of our current product lines, I was tasked to create a new look for this tray that had to differ from the current look, 6.a. I was told to keep it the same size box and if possible they would prefer a large image like the original. Using a previously unused image of the item, I used Photoshop to remove any specks along the background and any reflection of the camera that might have been present. Taking the measurements from the original box, I created the die line in Illustrator from scratch, added the image and company branding to create 6.b. 8
Maria Rivera | Graphic Design Portfolio
7.a
7.b 7.c
This project was a labour of love. It started as a plain white box, in 2013, a new look was created (7.a) in which I created a PVC window to the die line so that consumers could see the product inside and it was branded with the look of the line at the time. Forward to June 2017 and we have re-branded the entire dinnerware line that we have under a new name and look created by the Creative Director as seen in 7.b and 7.c. The challenge in 2017 was to make adjustments to the die line as we changed the shape and size of the PVC window which altered the box. A new die line was created in Illustrator to the dimensions of the current box with the new PVC window. To match the brand colors, new photography was taken for the back. In addition we are introducing gold as an additional color to the line but we did not have sample at the time of creating this, so taking new images of the current silver cutlery, I was able to create a gold version after layers of color and adjustments in Photoshop to get 7.c
Graphic Design Portfolio | Maria Rivera
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EDITORIAL & LAYOUT DESIGN Tools Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Lightroom System(s) Mac and PC
I think of layouts like TetrisŽ, where I need to make everything, images, and copy line up and fit after so many twists and turns until finally, TETRIS or DONE! Layouts are a trial and error game for so many reasons; Font has to be legible, images need to catch the eye, and balancing them together to make sure you capture the audience’s eye and have them follow along with your desired path is key for me.
Artificial Flowers FSPK LAPE
Roses
IVPK
CR
25-0272 21 ½" 6/60 ctn
MV
7 flowers (4"- 5") 50 leaves
YE
RD
Roses
COMPLETING YOUR
CR
VISION
FS
25-0266 20" 12/72 ctn
CO
7 flowers (4"- 5") 42 leaves
25-0276 19" 6/48ctn
Peony Mix Bouquet
CR
12 flowers (2 ½"- 5") 4 leaves CRPK
Portofino International Trading U.S.A, Inc
www.portofinointl.com 126
Every so often, the company will want to create pieces for mailing purposes and so I was asked to create a 4”x 6” postcard that showcased the direction that the product line was heading towards which is more towards high end event planning. Using existing photography and keeping it clean yet eye catching, the Creative Director came up with the slogan “Completing Your Vision” and we kept it simple with the logo and the web site address as the purpose of this postcard was to direct interest to the revised web site.
I’ve had the pleasure of working on the company catalog since 2013. Each year, has it’s own trials as the page count gets adjusted to accommodate new products, removal of discontinued items, revised copy, new copy, you name it, probably happened. Using Lightroom to balance lighting and transfer raw files, Photoshop to edit every image, whether removing backgrounds or enhancing colors, and InDesign to bring together images and copy to create the final catalog.
Graphic Design Portfolio | Maria Rivera
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EDITORIAL & LAYOUT DESIGN Tools Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign System(s) Mac and PC
Creating e-mail comps for our biweekly sales always bring a layout challenge and I say bring it! Every sale will vary in product range, anywhere between two to nine categories can be on sale at any given time so every layout has to reflect those categories. I try to keep them simple and clean using grids since it makes easier for me at time of coding to map them but it’s also easier to view and click on smaller devices like mobiles.
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Maria Rivera | Graphic Design Portfolio
COMPLETING YOUR
VISION
COMPLETING YOUR
VISION
COMPLETING YOUR
VISION
2014
2015
2016 Portofino International Trading U.S.A, Inc
Portofino International Trading U.S.A, Inc
New Customers:
Save 5% on your first web order. Use code “FRAUG5” when registering* *See site for details
www.portofinointl.com
2017
Portofino International Trading U.S.A Inc
New Customers:
Save 5% on your first web order. Use code “FRJUNE5” when registering* *See site for details
www.portofinointl.com
New Customers:
Save 5% on your first web order. Use code “FRAUG5” when registering* *See site for details
www.portofinointl.com
In 2016, we ventured into printed marketing with the help of the Creative Director and Floral Review. Floral Review has a large subscription base of florists and event planners and since our product line was leaning towards event planning, these ads were created with the sentiment. We wanted to showcase photography where items are in use at various events and settings but still be able to show close-ups of the product so that when viewed customers could see the product to duplicate
The catalog has developed over the years. Gone are the outside borders, photo collages and clip art. 2014 was still a bit of a collage as the director wanted to see single images of products. 2015 used a single lifestyle image; very little editing in Photoshop. 2016 combined two images into a single one image involved the backsplash and another image of the table and arrangement. 2017 used a single lifestyle image that was heavily edited in Lightroom and Photoshop.
Graphic Design Portfolio | Maria Rivera
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ILLUSTRATION DESIGN Tools Traditional tools (pen, pencil, paint, etc) Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator System(s) Mac and PC
It started with a crayon... and a wall. I’ve been drawing for years using the traditional pencil and paper to digital with Illustrator and Photoshop. Depending on the project, I could start within the traditional means, scan, digitize and finish with a digital piece. For the past four years, I’ve been participating with the Brooklyn Art Library and their Sketchbook Project and I have been fortunate to have had one sketchbook tour the U.S., another to be selected for their [name of book here, publisher], and the others are at the storefront exhibit space in Brooklyn, NY.
I was thrilled when this project was done! The company was introducing a new pattern to the existing line of table covers and they didn’t want to use stock vectors. They wanted an original cheetah print and after a few different attempts at spots, there’s a lot of variation out there, I drew this in Illustrator using the pen tool. Created a few different spots, some closed, others open with the color spot, I placed them along the art board, varying the spots in size and rotation. This was design was printed in six color variations, all handled the same way.
The above stickers are currently in development for a new line that I am working on with the purchasing team. They are theme stickers for baby shower, wedding, first communion and baptism as well as generic themes such as ”thank you”. Using Illustrator’s wide range of tools like pen, pencil, and gradient meshes to create the above comps.
I was seeing spots at the end of this. Graphic Design Portfolio | Maria Rivera
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ILLUSTRATION DESIGN Tools Traditional tools (pen, pencil, paint, etc) Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator System(s) Mac and PC
Traditional examples. Both were drawn for an Art Card Trade, in which those involved will draw on a 3” x 4” card and like MLB Trading Cards, trade with other artists to grow a collection. This specific year, I selected various male comic book characters which is out of my comfort zone and allowed me to make mistakes, learn from it, and do it again on repeat. The size was also a challenge because I’m attempting a lot of details in such a small space but it was a lot of fun to do so and getting to hear feedback from other artists was worth it!
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Maria Rivera | Graphic Design Portfolio
8.a
8.b
Taken on as a commission, I was tasked to take the client’s current character and come up with some additional poses. Not having any of the original files, I asked if it was possible to make minor change since I would be in essence creating the character from scratch. Trying to keep the character within the same look, I changed the facial expressions and bow to give it a more feminine appeal. 8.a is the client’s original character. 8.b is my interpretation of the character in new poses. Currently working on character model sheets with client.
Taken on as a commission, I was tasked to draw two original characters (OC) that will be used to create stickers for retail sales. Client allowed me creative license with the character, only asking that the character be able to be illustrated in different poses for different themes. Sometime the simple things are the best so with that in mind, I came up with mermaids! Using basic shapes and a pen tool in Illustrator for ease of re-sizing based on need. Currently working on character model sheets with client.
Graphic Design Portfolio | Maria Rivera
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Maria Rivera
A Graphic Design Portfolio
310-405-3701
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Maria Rivera | Graphic Design Portfolio
rivera.g.maria21@gmail.com