This section features a curated collection of projects and artwork from my undergraduate journey at Coastal Carolina University, a place that profoundly shaped my creative and technical abilities. My time there was filled with invaluable lessons and experiences that helped me evolve as both an artist and a graphic designer.
During my studies, I immersed myself in a variety of graphic design projects, each one a unique exploration of form, color, and composition. From eye-catching poster designs to comprehensive brand identity systems, these projects showcase my ability to craft visually compelling narratives. My work in photography allowed me to capture moments and emotions, adding a dynamic layer to my design portfolio. Additionally, life drawing sessions honed my observational skills and deepened my understanding of human anatomy and proportion, which are essential in creating realistic and expressive art.
Explore this gallery to witness the evolution of my skills and the creative journey that Coastal Carolina University has inspired. Each piece is a testament to my dedication, passion, and the artistic growth I've experienced during my undergraduate years.
Photography - River Bluff High School 2018
Individuals In Color
"Pan-Africanism is a worldwide movement that aims to unify, encourage, and strengthen bonds between all people of African heritage. It sets aside cultural differences in the struggle against slavery, racism, and poverty. Pan-Africanism shares a common goal of promoting equal rights and a recognition of shared experiences. My main goal was to shine a light on individuals in the community by taking their personality traits and characteristics and matching color with its African Kente cloth meaning. I chose my African American family to tell a story and to show how each of our individuality makes each other stronger. My father was given the color gold, the color of a king, a leader. My mother was given the color red, the color of life and motherhood. My elder sister was given the color blue, the color of peace, love, and harmony. My youngest sister was given the color black, the color of maturity and energy. I was given the color white, the color of purification and new beginnings. I am Tiera Rivers and I am Pan-African."
In high school, I took a photography course where I embarked on a project that was close to my heart. I chose to photograph my family, capturing their unique personalities and connecting each one to a specific color. This project was a celebration of our African American heritage, using color to highlight and honor our individual and collective identities.
Oil pastels on colored paper
Graphite pencil on paper
Micron-pen on paper
"In the Bible"
"Hot Cheeto Girl"
Drawing with Non-dominant hand
Charcoal and colored pencil on paper
"Nyia"
Life drawing - Coastal Carolina University
One of the most memorable courses I took in college was Life Drawing. I've been passionate about drawing since childhood, always dreaming of taking formal courses to hone my skills. In college, I finally got to live out that dream. The course pushed my boundaries, challenging me to draw with my non-dominant hand and even experiment with drawing using food. It was a transformative experience that deeply enriched my artistic journey.
"The Harder They Fall: Illustrated Character Showcase"
**Project Overview:**
For my senior year undergraduate project, I created an animated video using Adobe After Effects to showcase a series of illustrations I crafted of the main characters from the movie "The Harder They Fall." This project aimed to blend my passion for illustration with my skills in motion graphics, resulting in a dynamic and engaging visual experience.
Inspired by the vibrant and gritty world of "The Harder They Fall," I set out to capture the essence and personality of its iconic characters through detailed illustrations. Each character was meticulously drawn to highlight their unique traits and to pay homage to the film's rich storytelling and visual style.
For my senior year undergraduate project, I created an animated video using Adobe After Effects to showcase a series of illustrations I crafted of the main characters from the movie "The Harder They Fall." This project aimed to blend my passion for illustration with my skills in motion graphics, resulting in a dynamic and engaging visual experience.
Inspired by the vibrant and gritty world of "The Harder They Fall," I set out to capture the essence and personality of its iconic characters through detailed illustrations. Each character was meticulously drawn to highlight their unique traits and to pay homage to the film's rich storytelling and visual style.
Using Procreate, I created detailed illustrations of each main character, focusing on their distinct features and attire. This process involved extensive research and multiple iterations to ensure accuracy and artistic expression. With the illustrations completed, I exported them into Adobe After Effects. I designed and animated various elements to bring the characters to life, incorporating subtle movements, transitions, and effects that align with the film's aesthetic. The video was composed to reflect the narrative arc and dynamic energy of "The Harder They Fall." Each character was introduced with a blend of text and animation, creating a seamless flow that keeps the viewer engaged.
Brand Identity Project
In my graphic design course, I developed a brand identity project titled "Raising Hope," aimed at raising awareness about homelessness. This project entailed creating a comprehensive branding guide and an ad poster to support a campaign dedicated to highlighting the issue of homelessness and inspiring community action. The branding guide features a cohesive visual identity, including a logo, color palette, typography, and imagery guidelines, along with brand messaging that emphasizes hope, dignity, and community support. The ad poster was designed to be compelling and emotionally engaging, incorporating striking visuals and heartfelt messaging with a call-to-action for community involvement. This project demonstrates my proficiency in brand development and advertising, as well as my commitment to leveraging design for social impact.
The Chanticleer Newspaper
2022-2023
During my senior year of college, I served as the Art Director for our college newspaper. This role involved overseeing the visual aspects of the publication, from layout design to the selection of accompanying images and graphics. My work garnered recognition and was included in the South Carolina Press Association, highlighting my talents in the field. This work-study position not only prepared me for professional roles in the real world but also sparked my passion and interest in pursuing a career in art direction. Through this experience, I developed a keen eye for design, honed my leadership skills, and solidified my dedication to the field of art direction.
