Pencil to Paper | Stylus to Screen | Design to Product
Where creativity runs free.
From Desk to Display.
This is a curated collection showcasing Alexa's visual design work, which includes everything from government graphics to personal art pieces and product-ready designs. This section combines professional projects completed for the City of Portland with imaginative illustrations created for various clients and the Alexa Media shop.
From bold layouts to whimsical characters, each piece reflects Alexa's creative intuition, adaptability, and passion. Whether the designs are meant for public communication or personal expression, this archive provides a glimpse into the artistic spirit of Alexa Media.
Gideon 2023.
Meet Gideon, an original character from a story by Alexa that explores his journey across time and dimensions in search of his identity. He embodies Alexa's passion for visual storytelling.
Illustrated in Procreate and vectorized in Illustrator, Gideon's designs appear on various products like puzzles, stickers, and blankets, with limited-edition items released each season.ts, including puzzles, stickers, and blankets. Limited-edition items are released seasonally.
Skeleton 2023.
This design originated as an anatomy sketch challenge, utilizing a grid and photo reference to construct the structure manually. Alexa brought it into Procreate to apply negative color mapping and then finished it in Photoshop with texture and brushwork. The result: a bold, stylized take on the human form, more expressive than exact.
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Temptation 2022.
This piece started as a simple anatomy study and evolved into a devilish twist on a once-angelic figure. Without a set plan, Alexa allowed the design to unfold naturally, refining it through instinct and experimentation until the final character emerged.
DinoShroom 2023.
Umbrellaosaurus Rex and Bunnyshroom are two whimsical characters from the Gideon story. Alexa spent over 50 hours creating this piece, with a particular focus on the detailed mosaic work in Bunnyshroom. It's a great example of her signature style: playful, dark, and just a little weird in the best way.
Porcafin 2025.
Porcafin started as a Procreate sketch and grew into a porcelain-skinned mermaid who channels earthquakes to heal polluted oceans. Alexa refined the design in Procreate and Illustrator, adding glowing cracks and rich textures.
Farmer Lynn 2024.
Farmer Lynn is a warm, grounding character from the Gideon universe. After one of his jumps lands him in her field, she offers kindness and calm in a chaotic world. Designed in Procreate, her soft tones and simple style bring a comforting pause to Gideon's journey.
Spidey 2023.
Inspired by "Into the Spider-Verse," this artwork reimagines a Spider-Verse character through Alexa's perspective. It features bold pinks and purples, showcasing a skyline wrapped in webs, all brought to life in Procreate. The piece is high-energy and full of personality, offering a playful twist on a beloved universe.
St.Johns Bridge 2024.
An ode to Portland, this piece blends the city's iconic bridge with roses, a nod to its nickname, the City of Roses. It was featured as the cover of a Citywide Newsletter during Alexa's time with Commissioner Ryan. A simple yet heartfelt tribute to home.
Queen Bee.
Rooted in nature and royalty, this Procreate piece imagines a forest queen guided by bees and gold. She stands poised before her people, an embodiment of power, grace, and a profound connection to the natural world.
Portland 2020, 2023.
A somber reflection on how Portland has changed post-COVID and during the fentanyl crisis. Once quirky and vibrant, the city now feels weighed down by hardship. This piece expresses grief, not blame. A visual love letter to a town Alexa believes can be beautiful again.
Portland 2010, 2024.
This piece celebrates Portland at its prime, buzzing with creativity, community, and a unique charm. It's a nostalgic tribute to a city that once felt like a haven for dreamers and artists, and a reminder of the spirit worth reclaiming.
Cocaine Bird.
Part of the Bird Series, this piece examines how addiction can hide in plain sight. While society often dehumanizes the unhoused, this flips the lens, critiquing how many "functioning" people suffer silently, too. A call for more profound compassion, without judgment.
The Underground.
Part of the Bird Series, this piece explores the dehumanization of the unhoused. A figure holds a sign that reads "I need help," but its reflection says "What can you do for me?", a powerful contrast that challenges harmful assumptions and highlights lost empathy.
Fentynal Bird.
This Bird Series entry depicts a figure fading from visibility. Once sitting on a park bench, they become a forgotten landmark, gradually erased from memory and compassion. A haunting look at how addiction and homelessness are too often ignored.
Honeybun & Busy Bee.
A sweet literal take on the nicknames Alexa and her husband use for each other, a lighthearted visual filled with love, whimsy, and inside jokes.
MerMay 2023.
One of several mermaids created for the 2023 MerMay challenge hosted by illustrator Tom Bancroft. Daphnie is playful, colorful, and full of character, a fun exercise in style and theme.
MerMay 2023.
Another 2023 MerMay creation. Ivy blends plant-like elegance with aquatic fantasy, capturing Alexa's signature mix of softness and imagination.
Snake Boy.
A quirky sketchbook doodle that made Alexa smile, Snake Boy was finished in Procreate and perfectly captures her love of the odd and endearing.
Meth Bird.
Towering over the city, Meth Bird looms with a mouth full of needles and pills. Another entry in the Bird Series, it visualizes the disconnect between addiction and empathy, and how easily society disregards suffering.
MerMay 2023.
Ember is one of the fiery characters created during Alexa's 2023 MerMay challenge. With glowing tones and bold lines, she brings a spark of warmth and magic to the series.
Commissioned Portrait.
Created for a client who lost a loved one, this hand-drawn portrait was displayed at their wedding. Designed in Procreate and Photoshop, Alexa poured care into every detail and delivered it in person to honor the story behind it.
Dan Ryan for Portland 2024 - District 2 City Council Campaign.
Alexa created a comprehensive suite of visuals for Dan Ryan's District 2 campaign, including videos, graphics, and photography, to support his run under Portland's new city government structure.
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Art Talk Graphics - Office of Commissioner Dan Ryan.
Alexa designed and printed graphics for the 2023 Art Talk series hosted by Commissioner Ryan and the City Arts Program, posters, mailers, and digital assets for each district. She also supported event planning and on-site coordination, helping engage over 3,000 Portlanders through various outreach efforts.
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Summer 2023 - Citywide Newsletter - Office of Commissioner Dan Ryan.
As Communications Coordinator, Alexa led design, copywriting, and layout for 13 Citywide Newsletters. This summer issue featured Portland's Summer Free for All programming, designed to inform and inspire community involvement.
November 2023 - Citywide Newsletter - Office of Commissioner Dan Ryan.
This fall edition focused on citywide updates and seasonal resources. Alexa handled visuals, messaging, and design, helping keep Portlanders connected to what matters.
Arts in Portland Update 2023 - Citywide Newsletter - Office of Commissioner Dan Ryan.
Alexa created this special edition newsletter to highlight arts funding and community impact throughout the city. From layout to graphics, her work helped amplify Portland's creative community.
