AN ALL-STAR EXPERINCE!

All-Star Design Team was an eight-month apprenticeship. Out of thousands of applications, only 4 were chosen. During my time with Converse, I was the junior graphic designer for men’s and women’s apparel. I worked 1:1 at Converse and Nike HQ, with some amazing designers leading the way for creativity in the Converse and Nike brands. I worked behind the scenes on some exciting projects! My line of work was released to the public worldwide in the Spring of 2024. This is the final work which could be found on Converse’s website

A drawing of a lemon-themed tropical drink in a tall glass with a lemon slice, a paper umbrella, a straw, and ice cubes. There are additional lemon slices, ice cubes, and lemon wedges surrounding the glass, with the word 'CONVERSE' written in lemon juice at the bottom. A red handwritten note with an arrow points to the glass, asking if the color should be changed.

SHIRT DESIGN 1:
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS. SKETCH/IDEATION/FINAL

A comic-style illustration showing the steps to make lemonade, including slices of lemon, a knife, a pitcher of water, pouring sugar, crushing lemons, adding ice cubes, and pouring water into a glass. Handwritten notes and arrows explain the process, emphasizing the importance of sugar and the effort to extract juice.
Illustration of lemons, lemon slices, lemon juice, lemon-flavored beverages, and lemon ice cubes, along with the word "CONVERSE" at the top decorated with lemon slices.
A dark green T-shirt featuring a lemon and the brand name 'Converse' on the front, and a large graphic of various lemon-themed items such as lemons, lemon slices, a lemon drink, and a pitcher of lemonade on the back.
Black T-shirt featuring yellow lemon graphic and the word CONVERSE on the front; the back has a grid of six illustrations of lemons, lemon slices, lemon juice, lemon-flavored drinks, and lemon desserts in yellow, white, and black colors.
Close-up of a black shirt with a yellow lemon slice and orange and yellow 'CONVERSE' logo.
A young man with dreadlocks wearing a white T-shirt, light blue jeans with a chain, and a silver necklace standing against a gray background.
T-shirt with a four-panel graphic of a lemon, lemon slices, lemon juice, and a lemon cocktail with ice
Person standing against a plain background wearing a black beanie, black graphic t-shirt, brown pants, and black-and-white sneakers.

SHIRT DESIGN 2:
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS VERSION 2. SKETCH/IDEATION/FINAL

Cartoon of two beverage glasses with animated faces and limbs, one filled with a yellow drink and the other with a clear drink, both with straws, ice cubes, and garnishes, engaging in a friendly conversation.
A cartoon lemon character with arms, legs, and a smiling face, standing with hands open in a shrug gesture, with the phrase "Make lemonade and walk it off" written below. Above, there are lemon wedges with faces and a small note that says "when life gives you cherries" with cherries drawn next to it. The overall theme is cheerful and uplifting.
A cartoon glass of lemonade with arms, legs, and a face, walking happily, with ice cubes, lemon slice, and two red straws inside, and sparkle effects around.
Two white T-shirts with lemon and Converse branding and graphics, one featuring a lemon character and the other showing a lemon drink character.
Two black T-shirts featuring Converse-themed cartoon designs, one with aSprite glass with a straw, the other with a small bread roll and the Converse logo.

SHIRT DESIGN 3:
CHERRY GOOD. SKETCH/IDEATION/FINAL

Cartoon cherries with faces, arms, and legs walking together, one holding a picnic basket, against a yellow background with sparkles and grass, with the word 'Cherry on' written along one cherry's stem.
Black and white cartoon illustration of two cherries with smiling faces, arms, and legs, standing on grass, with one cherry pointing to the side and the other making a gesture with his hand. The text "cherry on" is written on the stem of the left cherry.
Pink t-shirt featuring cartoon cherries with arms and legs, holding a hammer with the word 'cherry on' on it, and the word 'CONVERSE' above them.
White T-shirt featuring cartoon cherries with arms and legs, walking together, one holding a basket of cherries and the other giving a thumbs-up, with the word 'Converse' above.
Line drawing of a steaming Chinese food container with dumplings, a cup of tea labeled 'Extraummy for BPG?!', and a woven lid with a bamboo handle. The container has a banner saying 'Converse' and some handwritten notes.

SHIRT DESIGN 4:
NOVELTY FESTIVAL FOOD. SKETCH/IDEATION/FINAL

Line drawing of a takeout box filled with steamed dumplings, with chopsticks resting on top. A banner beneath reads 'Street Food is Good Food,' and a speech bubble says 'Novelty Festival Food Draft 1.'
A cardboard takeout box filled with steamed dumplings topped with chili sauce, with chopsticks picking up one dumpling and a chili pepper on the side.
A cardboard takeout box filled with dumplings, some with orange sauce or chili, with two chopsticks and the word "CONFETTI" in red and black at the bottom.

SNEAKER SCHOOL:
YOU’RE LOOKING AT A 1/1 PAIR OF CONVERSE MADE BY ME!
LITTEREALY MADE FROM SCRATCH, I HANDPICKED THE FABRIC, AND LACES, SEWED THE SHAPE, LOGO EMBORDER, AND EVEN THE SHOELACE HOLES ONTO THE FABRIC! AND EVEN ACCIDENTALLY BURNED A HOLE IN THEM DURING THE PROCESS, AND GLUED THE SOLE ON WRONG! TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CONVERSE’S HISTORY AND PROCESS, HAD TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO WALK IN A PAIR OF HANDMADE SHOES.
THIS WAS A WEEK-LONG CREATION AND PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE HOW HARD SHOE MAKERS HAVE TO WORK TO MAKE A SINGLE PAIR OF CONVERSE CHUCKS.

Pair of multicolored Converse high-top sneakers with pink laces on a white surface against a plain white background.
Pair of multicolored plaid high-top sneakers with pink and purple laces, displayed on fabric with a roll of beige tape and sewing tools around.
Close-up of colorful Converse sneakers with pink and purple laces on a white surface.
A retail display of multicolored sneakers with purple laces, held by a person's hand, with other shoes and miscellaneous items visible on a wooden surface in the background.

EXPERIENCES:
HERE IS A GLIMPSE AT MY TIME WITH NIKE AND CONVERSE AS AN APPRENTICE! THIS MADE MY TIME EVEN MORE SPECIAL!

A pegboard display filled with various spools of colorful thread arranged in rows, including shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, and gray.
Chandelier made of numerous hanging sneakers with illuminated soles, suspended from the ceiling.
A laboratory with workbenches, equipment, and machinery, with the wall displaying the phrase 'INDEPENDENT ENOUGH NOT TO FOLLOW' in large black letters.
A display of colorful spools of thread arranged by color, including shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, and brown in a store.
I got to experince box seats at the NBA finals! I didnt know much about NBA at the time, but I now know that Steph Curry is one hell of a basketball player
NBA Finals 2022 baseball cap held up in front of a packed basketball arena.
A smiling woman wearing a pink shirt and yellow skirt is sitting on a paved walkway with her legs crossed, raising one arm with two fingers in a peace sign, in front of the Nike headquarters building which has large banners with the Nike logo and QR