I start by deeply understanding the brand’s core values, tone, and target audience often through style guides, competitor research, and direct conversations. My background in applied psychology helps me translate those insights into visual decisions like color palettes that evoke the right emotion, typography that matches the brand’s voice, and layouts that guide the viewer’s attention naturally. I also prototype and share early drafts to get feedback, ensuring every design feels authentic, on-brand, and resonant with its audience.

I haven’t yet illustrated a retail-location city map, but I have created detailed, brand-aligned illustrations and layouts that translate beautifully to that format. My portfolio includes: 1. Designed coherent, minimal brand boards, logo suites, and web layouts for Synaptiquè Consultancy that balanced clarity with personality. 2. Developed themed magazine spreads for Rising Phenom Magazine and illustrated visuals for Eureka Newsletter, applying visual hierarchy, custom typography, and color theory. 3. Through Sakurosmos, I’ve created quirky, clean, location-themed apparel and designs inspired by niche fandoms. If helpful, I can quickly create a custom Gato-branded sample map to show my approach.