2023 Digital Diary
Illustration
As part of a 30-day effort—dedicating 30 minutes each day—I set out to create a digital diary that captured one meaningful memory from each month of 2023. Inspired by a year of travel, new relationships, and personal growth, I illustrated 12 original tiles, each labeled with a date and a brief description to give context to the moment.
One of the biggest challenges was achieving visual cohesion across such varied designs. With different color palettes and moods, the collection initially felt disjointed. To create unity, I began pulling colors from one tile into others and standardized the text color—using either off-white or dark brown based on the background. This led to a clean alternating pattern in the final 3x4 layout. The project became both a personal reflection and a practical exercise in consistency, color harmony, and intentional design.
TOOLS: Adobe Illustrator
I knew my camera roll would be my primary source of inspiration for the illustrations—whether by referencing the images directly or using them as visual guides. Since many of the photos I had taken throughout the year reflected the moments I wanted to capture, they essentially served as my sketches. For months where no specific photo aligned with the memory—such as February—I based the illustrations on personal experience or recollection, ensuring that each design remained authentic and meaningful.
