for someone who calls herself a storyteller, i’ve rarely told my own story. i’ve always been more comfortable behind the lens always observing, creating, framing others in their best light. however, i’ve come to realize that stories aren’t just meant to be told; they’re meant to be understood (esp. our own).
i don’t want to share my story through titles or timelines but through pivotal moments that shaped how i perceive, believe, and live. each turning point was a quiet note in the rhythm of becoming: the creator, the storyteller, the observer behind every detail. some patterns only reveal themselves with time like in the ways that i navigate through adversity, create with purpose, and live in truth.
hii, i’m nicole & here’s my story…
this is my path that led me to discover my ikigai…
“Ikigai (生き甲斐) is a Japanese philosophy of finding ‘a reason for being’; the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be valued for.”
i was a dreamer, a writer, an observer. i noticed untold stories in gestures, emotions, and the fleeting moments that others overlooked. i didn’t know it then, but observing the world in this way would later become my superpower. my attentiveness is now the root of my empathy, which is fundamental for human connection & storytelling.
before “designer” became my title...
pursuing my B.A. in Design has opened the door to visual storytelling through structure and systems. i learned to see emotion through color, balance through composition, and connection through typography. design became my language; i was fluent in translating ideas that words, alone, could not fully express. i began learning back-end as well as front-end dev to stand apart from other designers, and somewhere between syntax & style, i found something unexpected. i found my brand voice in which i type in lowercase. by turning off my auto-capitalization (for the sake of typing code), this became my quiet signature & reminder that i am human.
my creative awakening...
UX Design meets people where they are then gently guides them toward where they want to be …while good design fills in the space(s) they didn’t even know were missing.
guided by the art of understanding...
as someone who enjoyed people watching, i was intrigued by the human mind early on in my life, which was my drive to receive my A.A. in Psychology. i was driven to understand what shapes human behavior, emotion, and motivation. this natural curiosity became the lens through which i view every client, every user, every story. this is fundamental in effective user experience (UX) design where it is more than just “beautiful", it’s behavioral.
the role of photography in my workflow began as an extension of design. it became a way for me to create meaningful visuals for my clients without using stock images. the products, people, events, and moments that i’ve captured would later live within the stories i curated for clients. i’ve gained a newfound confidence being hidden behind the lens where i have found stillness & presence. this art form reshaped how i now compose my photos but how i frame interactions & experiences.
a new lens that reframed my purpose...
the completion of my M.S. in Design, Technology, and Business marked a pivotal convergence. fragments of all passions wove together into a practice that became whole. the program didn’t just expand my technical skillset; it aligned my purpose. it showed me that the bridge between creativity and strategy is where i thrive –crafting experiences that move people, that don’t just function well, but feel good. that realization became my ikigai.
this is the moment when all my trades finally spoke the same {language}.
learning is my never-ending pursuit & i am evolving as quickly as AI is. my current focus lies in exploring the intersection of AI and UX design –discovering ways that intelligent tools can amplify creativity rather than replace it. my goal is to share my knowledge and empower other creatives & entrepreneurs to embrace AI as a means to reclaim time, accelerate tasks, enhance ideas, and build w intention.
the future of design isn’t about being replaced by AI; it’s about how we design with AI...
thank you for taking interest in where i’ve been, what shaped me, and how i see myself (& how i’ve discovered myself). perhaps that’s the beauty of storytelling; it’s not just in the telling but in the discovering.
i let my clients’ experiences speak for my quality of work & creative eye.
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“I've had the pleasure of working with Nicole for years, and it's been an amazing experience every single time. She's incredibly easy to collaborate with, flexible, honest, and deeply understanding. Nicole truly goes above and beyond to make the process seamless and enjoyable. I can't recommend her enough!”
Isaac | Founder of Saith, Inc.
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“Working with Nicole has been an absolute pleasure! She is incredibly talented, picking up on our requests and brand vision quickly, and always bringing creative and thoughtful solutions to the table. Her attention to detail and dedication to the project was evident in every aspect of her work. Not only did she deliver everything on time, but often ahead of schedule, which made the process so smooth and efficient. I truly appreciated her responsiveness and how easy it was to collaborate with her. I would highly recommend Nicole to anyone in need of a skilled and reliable designer. She’s a fantastic asset to any project.”
Shereen | VP Integrated Marketing at Sambazon®
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“The word of Nicole’s talents came from a friend and fellow author. I was in need of a professional that could handle the technical aspects of transferring my book files to the printing agent in Europe. She handled it masterfully and even helped with content and revisions. Then I needed a website. Nicole is a master web designer. Had us up and running within hours and is always available whenever I come calling. Need I say more?”
Steve | CEO of West Coast Creative Endeavors Inc.
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“I am so pleased with the branding package that Nicole and her team created for me. She is very thoughtful, intentional, and truly knows how to make your ideas come to life. Nicole patiently works with you providing many options until you are completely satisfied and the product feels authentic to you and your brand! I would definitely hire Nicole again! 💕”
Sarah | Founder of Linden
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“I'm a traveling photographer, and I needed an assistant for a wedding in San Diego. Nicole came highly recommended, and I lucked out that she was available! It was like we had worked together for years. She was very kind and joyful when relating to the guests and intuitive as an assistant and such a strong photographer with an artistic eye. She added so many amazing images, and I would highly recommend her in any of her design branches. She's a treasure!”
Monique | Professional Wedding Photographer
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“I had a headshot photo session with Nicole. She made the entire process easy and comfortable. The pictures came out amazing. She was also great at the editing process. She picked the exact ones I would have. I highly recommend Nicole for any of your photography needs!”
Sara, Professional Makeup Artist
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"We had the absolute pleasure of working with Nicole when she came out to our farm to photograph our ponies and the kids interacting with them. From the moment she arrived, Nicole was kind, professional, and incredibly patient—not just with the kids, but with the animals too! She has a natural eye for capturing the sweetest, most genuine moments. The photos she delivered are absolutely stunning—each one tells a story and perfectly reflects the love and joy shared between the children and their ponies. Nicole made everyone feel comfortable, and her calm, friendly presence helped bring out the best in everyone, including the more camera-shy little ones. I can't recommend her highly enough. If you're looking for someone who can beautifully capture real-life moments in a natural setting, Nicole is the one."
Yasmin | Airbnb Experience host for Pony Time
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“Working with Nicole was such a joy! She was incredibly flexible—willing to meet me at the location I needed and even adjusted our shoot date with ease. Her communication was clear and friendly from the start, and I instantly felt comfortable around her. Nicole beautifully captured the essence of the outdoor yoga class—the energy, the laughter, the community. You can truly feel the joy in every photo. I'm so grateful for her eye and her presence! Highly recommend working with her if you want someone who can catch the magic in the moment.”
Laura | Airbnb Experience host for Soulfish Yoga
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"Nicole was an absolute joy to work with. She is professional and has a true creative eye. She made my airbnb look amazing. Cannot thank her enough and will be calling her in the future for my professional photography needs :)"
Marissa | Airbnb Home Host
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"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We booked a golden hour beach family photo session with Nicole and it was such a special experience. The photos are artistic, natural, and nothing like the standard cookie-cutter beach portraits (in the best way) just us having fun together, beautifully captured. HIGHLY recommend!"
Janelle | Airbnb Service booking
