Mikayla (Mengyao) Gao Graphic Design

WORKS


Pacific Aquarium

Brand Identity, Generative Design

The Huntington

Brand Identity, Experience Design

Music and Gaming Festival

Brand Identity, Web Design

Night Reimagined

Publication Design, Experience Design

Equate’s NewDay Rebrand

Packaging Design, Brand Strategy

GREENFIELD


ABOUT


Résumé

Email
Instagram
Linkedin





© Mikayla Mengyao Gao
2020–2024 All Rights Reserved


In my hometown, there is a philosophy that speaks of the Five Elements. From an early age I have always understood that I am missing the element of wood. This belief sparked in me a journey of personal discovery and drove me towards nature and greenery. I have learned strength from the forest, resilience from the trees, and power from the seeds. These are now essential qualities for me as an individual.

The forest represents growth and harmony while also being a source of infinite inspiration. It’s a place where I find balance and enrichment. Just as the forest adapts and flourishes, I strive to develop creative resilient design solutions that embody these same qualities.
   

👋 Hi, I’m Mikayla Gao, a Los Angeles-based graphic designer specializing in brand identity and experience design. Let’s step into the forest together.

    

    

    

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Résumé

Contact

+1 (949) 439-1606 
mikaylagaodesign@gmail.com


Education

ArtCenter College of Design
09.2020–08.2024
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Minor in Business, Graduated with Honors





































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Experience

Freelance Graphic Designer
04.2022–08.2022
Minhang Crosspoint Academy
Anime, Comics, Games Club 
Shanghai, China (Remote)

Designed a yearbook for the ACG Club at Minhang Crosspoint Academy. Created a cohesive visual system for the club using my skills in image editing, illustration, layout, typography, and publication. 
The yearbook received an Honorable Mention from the Journalism Education Association (JEA).

Freelance Graphic Designer
05.2021–07.2021
JD Industry and Education Institute 
Beijing, China (Remote)

Designed a promotional book cover of an introduction brochure for the Industry and Education Institute in Beijing. Utilized skills in illustration and publication to emphasize the cultural identity of Malaysia. Ensured the cover design effectively represented the institute’s brand and appeal.


Expertise

Strong working knowledge of
InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Procreate, Glyphs, FontStruct, Figma, p5.js, MadMapper, HTML/CSS, Miro, Keynote

Familiar with
After Effects, Cinema 4D, Redshift, Blender, Webflow, Media Encoder, Bridge, Processing, Lightroom, TouchOSC, Excel

Skills
Brand identity development, creative coding, generative design, 3D motion graphics, packaging design, font design, laser cutting, typography, editorial and print design



Languages

Fluent in English. Native in Mandarin. 


Awards & Recognition

ArtCenter Undergraduate Scholarship
09.2020–08.2024

H.B. Edwards Endowed Scholarship
Jerry V. Johnson Endowed Scholarship

05.2024–08.2024

2024 Cultural Olympiad Competition, Honorable Mention
05.2024–08.2024
The Garden (Poster and 3D Motion Graphics)

ArtCenter Student Gallery
01.2024–04.2024
Pacific Aquarium (Identity Poster Design)
Pacific Visions (Identity Poster Design)

Jerry V. Johnson Endowed Scholarship
09.2023–12.2023

Provost’s List
Fall 2023, Fall 2021
ArtCenter College of Design
GPA of 3.8 or higher

KAZN AM1300 Radio Interview
02.2023
The Design Journey of Mikayla Gao

ArtCenter Student Gallery
01.2023–08.2023
Night Reimagined (Editorial Design)

Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography
(H_M_C_T Gallery)

01.2023–04.2023
Reveryl (Font and Poster Design)

Pentagram Design Endowed Scholarship
09.2022–04.2023

Patricia Howell Endowed Scholarship
Fletcher Jones Scholarship

01.2022–08.2022

ArtCenter Student Gallery
Stop Stereotypes (Editorial Design)
01.2022–04.2022

Fletcher Jones Scholarship
09.2021–12.2022