Hi there! I'm Matthew and my goal is to immerse myself in every facet of design, continuously expanding my skills and knowledge. For me, design isn't just a career—it's a lifelong pursuit. I am dedicated to exploring new techniques and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. My dream is to craft innovative solutions and beautiful creations.

Projects

Lego U

Friendship Battleship

Sketche

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LEGO U is a conceptual rebrand and product initiative aimed at making LEGO more inclusive and socially aware. The project responds to issues of gender and cultural bias in current LEGO lines by proposing customizable minifigures, culturally diverse sets, gender-neutral packaging, and a digital platform for personalized creations. It envisions a shift from rigid product categories toward user-driven, inclusive play experiences—bridging physical and digital engagement while reflecting broader social progress.

Friendship Battleship is an interactive smart product designed to democratize networking at career fairs and events by gamifying the initial connection process. Participants toss custom-made soft projectiles at a physical, Arduino-powered battleship board linked to an iPad interface. Successfully “sinking” ships triggers introductions with participating companies, helping attendees—especially those who might not easily stand out—get face time with recruiters. The project involved full 3D modeling of hardware, development of interactive software, and extensive user testing to refine the gameplay and physical experience.

Sketche is a compact, all-in-one drawing toolkit designed for artists on the go, developed as part of a senior capstone course focused on product development and entrepreneurship. Made from laser-cut acrylic and housed in a felt case, the tool combines curves, ovals, spheres, and hybrid ruler/triangle functionality for versatile sketching. I did every aspect of the project—from concept and branding to production and sales—successfully selling all 10 units through an Etsy shop, handling budgeting, and creating a strong identity for a product that blends utility and design.

3D Modeling

Safe Hands

Thai Dinnerware Set

Soup Sous Chef

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Safe Hands is a wearable concept developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce face-touching and help limit the spread of germs. The device uses six-axis motion tracking sensors in wristbands, which communicate via Bluetooth with a smartphone and trigger vibrations when a user's hands approach their face. I fully 3D modeled and rendered the product in high resolution using KeyShot, focusing on sleek design and usability during a time of heightened public health concern.

Thai Dinnerware Set is a custom-designed collection of dining pieces I created for 26 Thai, a family-style Thai restaurant. After interviewing the owner to understand the cultural significance and functional needs behind each dish and condiment holder, I developed multiple design concepts tailored to their serving style. I then 3D modeled and rendered the final set, ensuring it reflected both the identity of the restaurant and the authentic dining experience inspired by traditional Thai family meals.

Soup Sous Chef is an all-in-one kitchen tool I designed to simplify soup-making by combining interchangeable cutters and graters into a single, compact unit. The device is built to rest over a pot, making prep quicker and cleaner by letting everything fall directly into the cooking vessel. I fully 3D modeled, texture-mapped, and rendered the product, focusing on both functionality and space-saving design to streamline the cooking process.

Additional Work

Over Sees

Negative Space

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OverSees is a study-abroad support app I designed and branded to help students navigate new countries with ease. The app features useful phrases, maps, local activities, and cultural tips to make the transition smoother. I took special care in crafting the logo and typography, ensuring they complemented the color palette and reflected the app's friendly, helpful vibe.

These two graphic design pieces explore the creative use of negative space to visually play with language. The first, Key to the City, cleverly incorporates a city skyline into the notches of a key, while the second, inspired by the phrase “don't talk to me until I've had my coffee,” shows two coffee cups seemingly in conversation. I signed both designs using negative space, a technique my father taught me early on, which sparked my lasting passion for design.

Personal

Elevated

Beautiful

Thoughtful

These four values—Personal, Elevated, Beautiful, and Thoughtful—shape everything I create. I design with intention, ensuring each piece feels deeply considered and connected to the people it serves. Crafting experiences that are both refined and meaningful is what drives me. I thrive on collaboration, believing that the best outcomes emerge when diverse perspectives come together. Whether zooming out to define a vision or focusing in on the smallest details, I balance speed with care, always striving to create work that resonates on a deeper level and leaves a lasting impact.

My journey began in visual communication design, with a foundation in branding, marketing, and web design before evolving into product design. With a keen eye for aesthetics and a deep understanding of user needs, I create cohesive, human-centered experiences that feel seamless and intentional across every touchpoint—from strategy and identity to interactions both big and small. Over the past 4 years, I've worked across industries and team structures—freelance, startups, in-house, and public companies—developing a versatile and adaptive approach. My passion for craft, curiosity, and continuous growth ensures that everything I create is not only beautiful but also personal, elevated, and thoughtfully designed.

Phase 3 Marketing and Communications

Branded Merchandising Specialist

I worked here designing and ordering branded merchandise for some of the biggest companies in the US. Worked on everyhting from small pen jobs to million dollar apparel orders. Along with my daily tasks I lead the redesign and revamp of all of the companies online ordering stores, significantly enhancing the visual appeal and consistancy for our users!

Moxie Interactive

Intern and Freelance Design

At Moxie I found my passion for design, I worked under some amazing individuals to push the realms of advertising through 3D printing, virtual reality and other tech! I got to lead some of the coolest projects I have ever worked on including presenting 3D printers at the Georgia Pacific Tech Expo and doing photogorophy for Delta and Chik-fil-A!

Starbucks

Barista

I am a certified starbucks barista, I know it seems a little bit odd to put on a design portfolio, but I believe that it shows a peice of me that my other positions did not. While working at starbucks I did design drinks, I helped customers create things fully from scratch and really designed some hand crafted beverages. I feel like I learned a lot about dealing with people and a lot about myself in my few years that I worked here during college, and I think sometimes it is important to remember that everything is designed even something as small as a cup of coffee.

Fusion 360

Autodesk Inventor

Solidworks

Shotcut

Microsoft Office

Figma

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe XD

Adobe Premiere Pro

Conversational Korean

Customer Service Experience

Machine Shop Experience

Print Production Experience

Photography

Laser Cutting

3D Printing

Arduino

Keyshot

Open to all opportunities

matthew.farleo@gmail.com

404-375-2269