I’m Riya, an Art Director and illustrator based in San Francisco with an entrepreneurial spirit. I collaborate with incredible teams to bring ideas to life across digital, print, social, retail, and experiential spaces. Using design, photography, AI, illustration, and typography, I craft visual stories that give brands a voice that feels unmistakably theirs. I’ve had the pleasure of art directing across industries including fashion, beauty, lifestyle, entertainment, travel, sports, and tech. My works has been recognized with a Webby, and a Cannes Young Lions Award, affirming that clarity, curiosity, and conviction are at the heart of meaningful creative.
When I’m not deep in pixels and Pantones, I’m a bit of a mermaid, drawn to the ocean, chasing new experiences, and letting curiosity lead the way. It’s the ocean that truly fuels me... sandy shores, sun soaked beaches, sketchbook, and a film camera in hand, capturing the wonders and chaos of it all.
I studied Advertising and Illustration at ArtCenter College of Design, which grounded me in conceptual thinking and visual discipline. Today, I bring that foundation into collaborative environments, shaping visual direction, building campaign worlds, and helping ideas take form with purpose.
Experience:
1X / 2026
Mekanism / 2025
AZO
Alaska Airlines
Burrell Communications / 2023 - 2025
ANTA
McDonalds
Pattern Beauty
Toyota
Coca Cola
Xfinity
Baron & Baron / 2023
Dolce & Gabbana
Zara
Mugler
NARS
Pandora
MCM
Kern / 2022 - 2023
Canon
Education
Art Center College of Design
BFA Advertising & Illustration
Parsons School of Design,
The New School Professional Certificate
Awards
MvVo Art finalist - Illustration (2024)
Cannes Young Lions - Gold House Social Campaign (2024)
The Webby Award - Play Boy Editorial Design (2023)