Portfolio
Professional Work
Ava Blu currently works as student content creator for the Virginia Common Wealth’s Division of Student Affairs. She is able to explore multiple avenues some being, graphic design, creation of social media videos, public speaking, and collaboration. For her near future she is interested in looking for a position where she can grow her current creative and business skills
2025
Office of Multicultural Student Affairs Women’s Herstory Month Graphics"
Medium: Created in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate
Ava Blu was the first student employee to contribute to this high-profile project for VCU’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Combining graphic design, illustration, and academic research, she created a composition that met OMSA’s requirements—featuring prominent women figures, a purple and gold palette, bold typography, and a curated list of events. Through extensive research and multiple design iterations, she ensured the piece honored each woman’s contributions to history.
Process:
The end product isn’t always the goal! What matters is how you got there and what you learned throughout the process
2024
Division of Student Affairs Sociopolitical Stress Graphics
These social media graphics were created for the DSA’s Instagram to provide students with resources and coping strategies after the election. Ava Blu followed VCU’s strict brand guidelines, crafted a clear composition, and integrated research provided by her employer.
DSA Sociopolitical Stress Poster Graphics - Created in Illustrator
DSA Sociopolitical Stress IG Graphics - Created in Illustrator
2024
VCU Student DSA
Social Media Content
These social media videos were created for the VCU Division of Student Affairs Instagram to create student engagement and educate the community about resources offered. Ava Blu continues to produce engaging content posted on DSA ig with the help of her coworkers. The videos typically get between 3,000 - 5,000 views and get posted weekly!
*All videos featured were edited in Premiere Pro, filmed, and scripted by Ava Blu.
Personal Works
For Ava Blu, art and graphic design go beyond just being a career—they're a genuine passion. This drives her to constantly create personal work, experimenting with different mediums and exploring various subjects as a way to express herself and learn more about who she is as an artist. Through this creative process, she discovers new aspects of her artistic voice and perspective. Ava Blu believes that while the final piece matters, the creative process and what she learns along the way are often more valuable than the end result itself.
2025
“The Spark”
Description: This zine illustrates Ava Blu’s artistic process in which she formulates ideas and executes them. Ava Blu utilizes a bold, nostalgic color palette and imagery to depict Lily’s story.
Size 6.5 x 11" 15 pages
Medium: Procreate Printed on glossy photo paper
-
!["The Spark"]()
"The Spark"
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
Description goes here -
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
Title: Neon Alchemy Band Brand. Date: June 2024. Size: 12” x 10”. Medium: Photoshop and Illustrator on card stock. Description: I integrated my photography, and warped text for unique type design. This is statement on misogynistic norms women face in our society. Started w/ band concept explored mockup designs and used vibrant colors reflecting expectations put on women.
Title: Train to Adulthood Date: May 2024. Size: 18” x 24”. Medium: Procreate on cardstock. *Apart of AP 2D Design Portfolio. Description: I captured the transition from childhood to adulthood emphasizing the loss of innocence. I started with the focal point of the poster adding elements that represented nostalgia. The city train sign, features text that signifies the pivotal moment when teenagers face. In the background, a scratchboard-like texture complements the train sign. All images used were royalty-free stock images or were taken by artist.
Title: Name Composition Date: June 2023 Size: 12” x 12” Medium: Photoshop and Illustrator on cardstock Description: Explores different ways to make a cohesive composition. I used my name as the focal point and based the compositions on my personal identity. I used the juxtaposition of images and text to create interesting textures and patterns that contributed to my own identity.
Traditional Illustration
Title: "Dorthy Looking to the Great Beyond". Fall 2024 Size: 18x24”. Medium: Graphite on Stonehenge paper Description: Self portrait drawing, characterized as Dorthy, with wizard of oz motifs.
Title: "Two Stepped". Date: September 2024. Size: 18x24”. Medium: Graphite on Stonehenge paper Description: Observational drawing, characterizing mundane objects that give an artist power.
Title: "Process of Dorthy Looking to the Great Beyond". Fall 2024 Size: 18x24”.
Title: "Hamlet Ophelia perspective". Fall 2024 Size: 9x12”. Medium: Ink on bristol paper Description: This graphic drawing is a reimagination of Ophelia 1851–52 painting by Sir John Everett Millais. Ophelia in past has misunderstood and view from a misogynistic gaze. I wanted this poster to to give humility her perspective.
Title: "Sugar Pop". Date: February 2025. Size: 22x30”. Medium: black/white gouache on Arches watercolor paper Description: Visualizing artistic process, taking inspiration from the Pop Art movement.
Title: "Infinite Energy". Date: January 2025. Size: 22x30”. Medium: Micropens on Stonhedge paper Description: Captures infinite femininity, taking inspiration from natural organisms.
Title: "Close ups- Infinite Energy". Date: January 2025. Size: 22x30”. Medium: Micropens on Stonhedge paper