Skills and Training
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe AfterEffects
Adobe Dimension
Adobe Dreamweaver
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Firefly
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe XD
Adobe Firefly
Art Direction
Copy editing
Copy writing
Darkroom
Drawing
Email design
HTML and CSS
Keynote
MailChimp
Marketing Cloud
Mural
Painting
PowerPoint
Photography
Photography editing
PrePress and Press checks
Procreate
Screen printing
Script writing
Sewing
Spatial / Metaverse
Textile design
Video storyboarding
About
I'm a multidisciplinary graphic designer, visual artist, and author with over 12 years of experience translating complex ideas into compelling visual experiences. My career has taken me from National Geographic Society (NGS) to Ernst & Young (EY), where I've developed creative solutions across brand identity, experiential design, digital media, editorial, environmental graphics, and large-scale events. I thrive on projects that require both conceptual thinking and thoughtful execution, bringing curiosity, adaptability, and a strong visual sensibility to every stage of the creative process.
In 2026, I earned my MFA in Visual Studies, expanding my practice beyond traditional graphic design into photography, installation, material experimentation, and interdisciplinary research. My artistic practice explores the intersections of art, science, memory, and the natural world—interests that continually inform and enrich my approach to design.
I'm endlessly curious, drawn to new ideas, and energized by collaboration. I believe the most meaningful creative work emerges when thoughtful storytelling meets experimentation, and when there's room to challenge conventions.
Outside of design, I'm an avid trail-runner, outdoor enthusiast, and published author. I'm happiest exploring new landscapes, learning something unexpected, or working on a creative problem that doesn't have an obvious answer.
Download my resume here.
Access my fine arts portfolio at NickiAvena.Studio.
Education
Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) | Visual Studies
Pacific Northwest College of Arts
Portland, OR | August 2026
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) | Graphic Design
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida | May 2013
Work history
Ernst & Young LLP.
Curl magazine
National Geographic Society
Merrion and Smith
US Embassy of the Philippines
The American Petroleum Institute
Team Velocity Marketing
The Hamilton Collection
ABC Window Cleaning Supply
Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville
Folio Weekly, Jacksonville
and more.
Additional education and training
Natural Dye and Pigments
With Carolyn Sweeney, June 2026
Natural Dye with Mushrooms
With Erica Clark, May 2023.
Intro to Risograph Printing
with Outlet Studios, July 19, 2023.
Abstract Landscape Painting
with Amanda Hawkins, (5 days), August 2021.
Animation Bootcamp
with School of Motion, (8 weeks), November 2020.
Seeing Abstractly: Drawing into Painting
with Washington Studio School, (2 months), November 2018.
EXHIBITIONS and Guest speaking
Exhibiting artist | LRVS MFA Thesis Exhibition, PNCA
Portland, OR | July-August 2026
Exhibiting artist | Swamped, The Fishbowl
Seattle, WA | October-December 2026
Exhibiting artist | Portland Zine Symposium
Portland, OR | October 28, 2023
Exhibiting artist | The Factory on Willow
Manchester, NW | June-August 2023
Guest Speaker | Business of Graphic Design
University of North Florida | April 15, 2021
Guest Speaker | Rebel White Coat Podcast
Spotify | December 2, 2020
Live Reading | Inner Loop
Zoom/Remote | November 24, 2020
Exhibiting artist | DC Zinefest
Art Enables | Washington, DC | July 20, 2019
Exhibiting artist
The Cheshire | Washington, DC | June 27, 2019
Exhibiting artist | UMBRELLA
No Kings Collective | Washington, DC | April 12, 2019
Live Reading | Lowercase
Petworth Citizen | Washington, DC | March 6, 2019
Live Reading | Writers & Words
Charmington’s | Baltimore, MD | December 11, 2018
Writing Retreat | Writers & Words
Cacapon State Park, MD | December 6-9 2018
Exhibiting artist | DCAC Wallmountables
Washington, DC | June 29-August 10, 2018
Live Reading | Inner Loop | Colony Club
Washington, DC | May 16, 2018
Exhibiting artist | Inner Loop
Third Floor | Washington, DC | April 17, 2018
Exhibiting artist | Neon Cat
Lemon Collective | Washington, DC | March 16, 2018
Live Reading | Art Between Us
Potter’s House | February 23, 2018