Creator. Dreamer. Idealist.
Hi, I'm Jodi! I’m an artist and designer based in Southern California. I greet each day with an open mind, a passionate heart, and a dash of creativity and whimsy. As a creator, I marvel at what is, while creating what could be. I believe in kindness and the beauty of the world around us and lean on my imagination and learned skills to help me create, tell stories, and share ideas with others in hopes that it will speak to others and make them smile.
My Story
I currently work at Disneyland as a sketch artist where I create Disney character sketches to order and have the honor of creating magical and memorable experiences for each guest. During my time as a sketch artist, I have had the privilege of designing new sketches of Disney and Pixar characters, and sketches of iconic locations within the theme park for the Disney sketch program.
In addition to working as a sketch artist, I am one of the Sketch Artist Program Leads and help oversee all four sketch locations in the Disneyland Resort. In this role, I take on admin responsibilities, photoshop guest and artist-facing artwork and information, mentor other artists, communicate on behalf of the program with creative directors, propose new ideas and solutions to increase sales and design opportunities, train new artists, and ensure the program is running efficiently and creating magic for guests.
I love my job at the Disneyland Resort and cherish the memories I have and will continue to make as I help create happiness for guests from around the world.
Long before I worked at Disneyland, and for as long as I can remember, I have been drawing and creating to my heart’s content. I would draw on napkins at restaurants, receipt tape, cardboard, and anything I was allowed to since I was young. I was constantly writing stories and poems about unique characters and whimsical worlds. There was and still is no limit on my creativity and aspirations for the future.
Education
I received my B.A. in Graphic Design from Bellevue University. I graduated summa cum laude (with the highest honor) for my academic achievement. Graphic Design is a medium that relies on strong communication skills, so in addition to my major, I minored in organizational communication to complement my studies. Learning and trying new things is a big part of who I am, so although my college career has ended, I am always excited to continue the never-ending quest for knowledge.
Other Fun Things
When I’m not drawing, I love singing, reading, writing, learning, trying new things, enjoying nature, admiring the night sky, geeking out over myths and folklore, watching musicals, admiring artwork, sipping tea, listening to music (especially Hadestown), dressing up in fun outfits, collecting earrings, spending time with my friends and family, and playing with my cats Flik and Dot.
About My Logo
Coming up with a logo to represent myself was quite the task. I have many interests and passions, and while my job title falls under artist or graphic designer, I believe we are all more than just our job titles. I create things in a large variety of mediums and constantly push that boundary; I dream and imagine fantastical things; I marvel in what is and idealize what could be. This is why I consider myself a creator, a dreamer, and an idealist. With this in mind, I wanted to create a logo mark (the graphic) and a logotype of my name along with a tagline that represented who I am to the fullest.
The logotype and tagline are relatively straightforward. I used a variation of a storybook style serif font because I love telling, reading, and sharing stories with others. We’re all stories in one way or another, and this logo is just a page out of my own. My logo mark is made up of four parts: the letter J, the letter H, a paperclip, and a heart.
The Letter J
Growing up, I always disliked how the letter J looked and was determined to find a style of the letter that I found appealing. My version of the letter J takes inspiration from a treble clef. I grew up doing musical theatre and have a strong love and appreciation for music. I love how it can evoke such strong and beautiful emotions, and my experience as a singer and performer is a big part of who I am and influences my artwork and designs today.
The Letter H
The J is whimsical and creative, while the H is simpler and more structured. The J focuses on fun and joy, while the H focuses on something I have often consider a flaw in myself: perfectionism. I have often brought stress onto myself trying to make designs perfect, but over time I’ve learned how to navigate this stress better and use it as a tool to focus on the details in every task. Designing takes both logic and creativity, and I wanted to incorporate this into my initials since it also defines who I am.
Paperclip
To some, a paperclip is simply an office supply that clips paper together, but I’ve always been particularly fond of them because they represent so much more to me. For me, a paperclip is a symbol of creativity. It is far more than its name suggests. Sure, it clips paper together, but with enough creativity and imagination, it can become so much more: a zipper, an ornament hanger, a guitar pick, a tool to dye easter eggs, jewelry, a bookmark, a reset button tool, a lock pick, and so much more. The idea of “functional fixedness,” is associated with many things; it is the idea that we assume the name of an item describes everything it can do, but a paper clip is a great example of something that combats this idea of “functional fixedness,” and instead pushes the boundaries of innovation.
Heart
The heart is the final touch I added to my logo. I am a very passionate person who enjoys liking things and spreading positivity. I care about my friends and family, the planet and all who inhabit it, as well as the work I do. I believe in kindness and work hard to value the people and world around me. This encourages me to always create with care and make a positive impact on everyone I can.