The Zen Den

The Zen Den

The Zen Den

Origin story

Origin story

I've always been drawn to visual storytelling through television, film, and digital media. That curiosity led me to earn a BA in Radio, Television, and Film from San José State University. Over the last decade, I've built a multidisciplinary design career rooted in clarity, calm, and purpose. Now based in Washington, I create thoughtful, authentic work across various industries and mediums.

When I'm OoO, I’m usually out hiking with my dog, being ignored by my cat, or taking time to unwind in my zen den. I also make regular trips to the gym to stay grounded and clear-headed. I value the quiet as much as the creative and give myself space to reset so I can show up fully in my work.

Available for new opportunities

Available for new opportunities

Resume

Resume

Linkedin

Linkedin

Dribbble

Dribbble

Behance

Behance

Contact

Contact

Available for new opportunities

Available for new opportunities

Resume

Resume

Linkedin

Linkedin

Dribbble

Dribbble

Behance

Behance

Contact

Contact

Where ideas
Take Shape

Where ideas
Take Shape

Strategy meets form. Ideas take shape through research, exploration, and clear decisions made with purpose.

[ Step 1 ]

Discover

The process begins by listening, researching, and understanding the challenge. This step builds the foundation for purposeful design.

[ Step 1 ]

Discover

The process begins by listening, researching, and understanding the challenge. This step builds the foundation for purposeful design.

[ Step 1 ]

Discover

The process begins by listening, researching, and understanding the challenge. This step builds the foundation for purposeful design.

[ Step 2 ]

Define

I break down the vision using atomic design principles. Every element is built to scale from components to the full experience.

[ Step 2 ]

Define

I break down the vision using atomic design principles. Every element is built to scale from components to the full experience.

[ Step 2 ]

Define

I break down the vision using atomic design principles. Every element is built to scale from components to the full experience.

[ Step 3 ]

Draft

I create an initial round of concepts, usually three strong directions. This opens the conversation and helps shape the direction.

[ Step 3 ]

Draft

I create an initial round of concepts, usually three strong directions. This opens the conversation and helps shape the direction.

[ Step 3 ]

Draft

I create an initial round of concepts, usually three strong directions. This opens the conversation and helps shape the direction.

[ Step 4 ]

Refine

With feedback gathered, I revise and align the design. Each change is intentional and made to meet all visual and functional needs.

[ Step 4 ]

Refine

With feedback gathered, I revise and align the design. Each change is intentional and made to meet all visual and functional needs.

[ Step 4 ]

Refine

With feedback gathered, I revise and align the design. Each change is intentional and made to meet all visual and functional needs.

[ Step 5 ]

Polish

Final visual and functional details are adjusted for consistency, clarity, and performance across formats and platforms.

[ Step 5 ]

Polish

Final visual and functional details are adjusted for consistency, clarity, and performance across formats and platforms.

[ Step 5 ]

Polish

Final visual and functional details are adjusted for consistency, clarity, and performance across formats and platforms.

[ Step 6 ]

Deliver

Once approved, all assets are prepared and organized for launch or handoff. This includes production-ready files, brand guidelines, marketing templates, strategic recommendations, and design specs for developers or in-house teams across web, UI/UX, and visual content.

[ Step 6 ]

Deliver

Once approved, all assets are prepared and organized for launch or handoff. This includes production-ready files, brand guidelines, marketing templates, strategic recommendations, and design specs for developers or in-house teams across web, UI/UX, and visual content.

[ Step 6 ]

Deliver

Once approved, all assets are prepared and organized for launch or handoff. This includes production-ready files, brand guidelines, marketing templates, strategic recommendations, and design specs for developers or in-house teams across web, UI/UX, and visual content.

Reflections
on the work

Reflections
on the work

A few words from those I've worked alongside. These reflections offer a glimpse into the collaboration, care, and consistency I bring to every project.

Joel Escorpiso
Senior Creative Director

It was a pleasure to have Darrell in my department. He was an invaluable asset to our Global Creative Services team, always ready to jump on to the next project and complete them on-time. Talented designers such as Darrell are rare and extraordinary. He is an incredibly hard worker, quick to complete tasks and always striving to deliver his best work no matter what time of day it is. His reliability and positive attitude made him invaluable to my team, which I and others who he collaborated with appreciated a great deal. Although Darrell was part of a company-wide reduction that I did not have any control over, I would hire him back on in a heartbeat if the circumstances were to change. In the meantime, I wholeheartedly recommend Darrell to any company looking for a dedicated, in-house Graphic Designer.

Joel Escorpiso
Senior Creative Director

It was a pleasure to have Darrell in my department. He was an invaluable asset to our Global Creative Services team, always ready to jump on to the next project and complete them on-time. Talented designers such as Darrell are rare and extraordinary. He is an incredibly hard worker, quick to complete tasks and always striving to deliver his best work no matter what time of day it is. His reliability and positive attitude made him invaluable to my team, which I and others who he collaborated with appreciated a great deal. Although Darrell was part of a company-wide reduction that I did not have any control over, I would hire him back on in a heartbeat if the circumstances were to change. In the meantime, I wholeheartedly recommend Darrell to any company looking for a dedicated, in-house Graphic Designer.

Joel Escorpiso
Senior Creative Director

It was a pleasure to have Darrell in my department. He was an invaluable asset to our Global Creative Services team, always ready to jump on to the next project and complete them on-time. Talented designers such as Darrell are rare and extraordinary. He is an incredibly hard worker, quick to complete tasks and always striving to deliver his best work no matter what time of day it is. His reliability and positive attitude made him invaluable to my team, which I and others who he collaborated with appreciated a great deal. Although Darrell was part of a company-wide reduction that I did not have any control over, I would hire him back on in a heartbeat if the circumstances were to change. In the meantime, I wholeheartedly recommend Darrell to any company looking for a dedicated, in-house Graphic Designer.

Nesasha Lacefield
Sr. Project Manager

I can't say enough good things about Darrell. He is the whole package when it comes to being a great designer and employee. He completed his tasks quickly, took direction well and kept on top of the timelines given to him. He was often given very short deadlines and would create great work despite this! In addition, he is a joy to work with. He's friendly and empathetic and contributes to a great work environment. I would love to work with him again.

Nesasha Lacefield
Sr. Project Manager

I can't say enough good things about Darrell. He is the whole package when it comes to being a great designer and employee. He completed his tasks quickly, took direction well and kept on top of the timelines given to him. He was often given very short deadlines and would create great work despite this! In addition, he is a joy to work with. He's friendly and empathetic and contributes to a great work environment. I would love to work with him again.

Nesasha Lacefield
Sr. Project Manager

I can't say enough good things about Darrell. He is the whole package when it comes to being a great designer and employee. He completed his tasks quickly, took direction well and kept on top of the timelines given to him. He was often given very short deadlines and would create great work despite this! In addition, he is a joy to work with. He's friendly and empathetic and contributes to a great work environment. I would love to work with him again.

Jenya Garfield
Sr. Project Manager

Darrell created several assets for projects we worked on together. His work was always perfectly done, on time and he was a pleasure to work with. I will miss working with Darrell at Modere, and highly recommend him for his great talent, communication skills and his great ability to work efficiently on multiple high priority projects at once, for several teams and markets, while staying positive and doing whatever it takes to deliver on time.

Jenya Garfield
Sr. Project Manager

Darrell created several assets for projects we worked on together. His work was always perfectly done, on time and he was a pleasure to work with. I will miss working with Darrell at Modere, and highly recommend him for his great talent, communication skills and his great ability to work efficiently on multiple high priority projects at once, for several teams and markets, while staying positive and doing whatever it takes to deliver on time.

Jenya Garfield
Sr. Project Manager

Darrell created several assets for projects we worked on together. His work was always perfectly done, on time and he was a pleasure to work with. I will miss working with Darrell at Modere, and highly recommend him for his great talent, communication skills and his great ability to work efficiently on multiple high priority projects at once, for several teams and markets, while staying positive and doing whatever it takes to deliver on time.

Ben Caballero
Email Marketing Manager

I worked closely with Darrell at Modere. I admire his ability to juggle many projects at once while still producing beautiful results in a timely manner. I came to rely on him for his responsiveness, professionalism, and fantastic work ethic. He’s a true professional and master at his craft. He’s also a joy to work with. I highly recommend him and hope to work with him again.

Ben Caballero
Email Marketing Manager

I worked closely with Darrell at Modere. I admire his ability to juggle many projects at once while still producing beautiful results in a timely manner. I came to rely on him for his responsiveness, professionalism, and fantastic work ethic. He’s a true professional and master at his craft. He’s also a joy to work with. I highly recommend him and hope to work with him again.

Ben Caballero
Email Marketing Manager

I worked closely with Darrell at Modere. I admire his ability to juggle many projects at once while still producing beautiful results in a timely manner. I came to rely on him for his responsiveness, professionalism, and fantastic work ethic. He’s a true professional and master at his craft. He’s also a joy to work with. I highly recommend him and hope to work with him again.

Alex Jenkins
Senior AV Producer

Darrell was a remarkable individual to work with on every occasion. He was a graphic designer while I was on the video team so we had to work together often. He was quick and efficient whenever I needed something last minute--which was a LOT at Modere. But what stands out most about him was his personality. His sense of humor made you feel welcomed. His motivation unmatched as timelines were insane at his position. Skill and ability alone sets Darrell apart from others in his industry.

Alex Jenkins
Senior AV Producer

Darrell was a remarkable individual to work with on every occasion. He was a graphic designer while I was on the video team so we had to work together often. He was quick and efficient whenever I needed something last minute--which was a LOT at Modere. But what stands out most about him was his personality. His sense of humor made you feel welcomed. His motivation unmatched as timelines were insane at his position. Skill and ability alone sets Darrell apart from others in his industry.

Alex Jenkins
Senior AV Producer

Darrell was a remarkable individual to work with on every occasion. He was a graphic designer while I was on the video team so we had to work together often. He was quick and efficient whenever I needed something last minute--which was a LOT at Modere. But what stands out most about him was his personality. His sense of humor made you feel welcomed. His motivation unmatched as timelines were insane at his position. Skill and ability alone sets Darrell apart from others in his industry.

Ashtyn Dickson
Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Darrell is an exceptional designer, radiating talent and creativity in every project. Working alongside him was a delight; his innovative ideas and meticulous attention to detail consistently elevated our work. Beyond his skill, Darrell’s positivity and collaborative spirit made him a true asset to the team, fostering a productive and enjoyable environment.

Ashtyn Dickson
Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Darrell is an exceptional designer, radiating talent and creativity in every project. Working alongside him was a delight; his innovative ideas and meticulous attention to detail consistently elevated our work. Beyond his skill, Darrell’s positivity and collaborative spirit made him a true asset to the team, fostering a productive and enjoyable environment.

Ashtyn Dickson
Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Darrell is an exceptional designer, radiating talent and creativity in every project. Working alongside him was a delight; his innovative ideas and meticulous attention to detail consistently elevated our work. Beyond his skill, Darrell’s positivity and collaborative spirit made him a true asset to the team, fostering a productive and enjoyable environment.

Michael Peterson
CEO Bear Valley Install

I had the pleasure of working directly with Darrell on several email design projects. Darrell is incredibly talented as a creative designer and is highly proficient with the Adobe suite and other creative tools. Not only is Darrell quick to produce great work, but he's also very generous and kind! He's a great friend to everyone around him. He is a fantastic teacher of digital skills and easy to work with. I would be happy to recommend him for any position he pursues!

Michael Peterson
CEO Bear Valley Install

I had the pleasure of working directly with Darrell on several email design projects. Darrell is incredibly talented as a creative designer and is highly proficient with the Adobe suite and other creative tools. Not only is Darrell quick to produce great work, but he's also very generous and kind! He's a great friend to everyone around him. He is a fantastic teacher of digital skills and easy to work with. I would be happy to recommend him for any position he pursues!

Michael Peterson
CEO Bear Valley Install

I had the pleasure of working directly with Darrell on several email design projects. Darrell is incredibly talented as a creative designer and is highly proficient with the Adobe suite and other creative tools. Not only is Darrell quick to produce great work, but he's also very generous and kind! He's a great friend to everyone around him. He is a fantastic teacher of digital skills and easy to work with. I would be happy to recommend him for any position he pursues!