Personal portfolio and bloghttps://thehonestape.com/en-ushttps://thehonestape.com/work/the-honest-ape-stack/https://thehonestape.com/work/the-honest-ape-stack/A walkthrough of the stack behind thehonestape.com: Astro 5 with MDX, Payload CMS v3 for visitor messages, Cloudflare Pages and D1 for runtime, an on-page Llama 3.3 70B agent over the Hugging Face Router, and Claude Code as the daily editor.Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTwritingAIdesigndevelopmenthttps://thehonestape.com/work/sacred-grove/https://thehonestape.com/work/sacred-grove/An immersive reading app for scripture and wisdom literature, designed by conversation first and built on a public-domain corpus. A planting note before the full case study.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTwritingAIdesigndevelopmenthttps://thehonestape.com/work/open-local-ai-stack/https://thehonestape.com/work/open-local-ai-stack/Working with ComfyUI, Stable Diffusion WebUI, DiffusionBee, and Hugging Face as a designer's daily generative toolkit.Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTwritingAIdesigndevelopmenthttps://thehonestape.com/work/vibe-coding-is-design/https://thehonestape.com/work/vibe-coding-is-design/Development is Design/Design is Development - exploring the changing relationship between design and developmentThu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTwritingdesigndevelopmenthttps://thehonestape.com/work/artificial-intelligence-automatons/https://thehonestape.com/work/artificial-intelligence-automatons/Brazen Head by Abraham Garcia, Self-portrait. Imagine standing in a medieval laboratory, face-to-face, with a gleaming brass head. Its eyes flicker with otherworldly intelligence as it speaks, revealing secrets of the universe and glimpses of the future.Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTwritinghttps://thehonestape.com/work/bootlegs-turning-photoshop-fails/https://thehonestape.com/work/bootlegs-turning-photoshop-fails/Hater’s gonna say it’s Photoshop. Every new digital tool shapes our design process with unique limitations and unexpected quirks.Thu, 13 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMTdesignAIhttps://thehonestape.com/work/four-books-to-inspired-francis-ford/https://thehonestape.com/work/four-books-to-inspired-francis-ford/David Graeber and Herman Hesse influenced the director's new film - exploring civilization, patriarchy, and egalitarian societiesThu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTwritinghttps://thehonestape.com/work/meaning-layer-design-intelligence/https://thehonestape.com/work/meaning-layer-design-intelligence/Sat, 11 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTwritinghttps://thehonestape.com/work/avoiding-burnout/https://thehonestape.com/work/avoiding-burnout/A personal wellness illustration about self-care and avoiding burnoutThu, 04 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2014-11-05-artcrank/https://thehonestape.com/work/2014-11-05-artcrank/Poster design for Artcrank Washington, DC. One-color screenprint.Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2021-08-01-progressland/https://thehonestape.com/work/2021-08-01-progressland/Renegotiating our relationship with technology and designWed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMTwritingdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2018-01-02-boodywear/https://thehonestape.com/work/2018-01-02-boodywear/Brand identity and design work for BoodywearTue, 01 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/bloompop/https://thehonestape.com/work/bloompop/E-commerce platform design for 'The Etsy for Florists' - connecting florists directly with customers. Established design system from zero and worked with technical founder to design custom e-commerce platform using rapid iteration workflow.Tue, 01 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/dcdox/https://thehonestape.com/work/dcdox/Brand identity design for a new documentary film festival in Washington, DCWed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/chopsteak-inflatables-xmas-mixtape/https://thehonestape.com/work/chopsteak-inflatables-xmas-mixtape/Album art for DJ Chopsteak's Christmas mixtape, generated with Stable Diffusion and composited in Photoshop. Inflatable Santas, neon lights, and maximalist holiday kitsch.Thu, 01 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMTAIdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/branding-truth/https://thehonestape.com/work/branding-truth/Examining how brands can embody truth and authenticity in their design and messaging.Wed, 13 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMTwritinghttps://thehonestape.com/work/mlk-memorial-library/https://thehonestape.com/work/mlk-memorial-library/Exhibition design for the MLK Memorial Library, featuring historical archives and community-driven storytelling.Wed, 01 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/epic-curing/https://thehonestape.com/work/epic-curing/Branding and digital marketing for a premier artisanal meat curing company in Washington, D.C.Sun, 01 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/better-luck/https://thehonestape.com/work/better-luck/A textured lettering illustration for the end of 2020Wed, 16 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/future-now/https://thehonestape.com/work/future-now/Thoughts on technology, capitalism, and design as the world transforms during the 2020 pandemic.Tue, 31 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMTwritingdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/remote-work/https://thehonestape.com/work/remote-work/Tools and systems for successful remote design collaboration, written during the 2020 pandemic shift. Covers Slack, Zoom, Krisp.ai, Dropbox, Paper, and Figma workflows.Tue, 10 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMTwritingdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2020-02-06-skincare-collage/https://thehonestape.com/work/2020-02-06-skincare-collage/A social media collage exploring skincare themesThu, 06 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2019-09-25-pointer/https://thehonestape.com/work/2019-09-25-pointer/A logo design featuring a dog pointer conceptWed, 25 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2019-06-13-selections-covers/https://thehonestape.com/work/2019-06-13-selections-covers/Seasonal design collages for various projectsThu, 13 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/pale-blue-dot/https://thehonestape.com/work/pale-blue-dot/An illustration inspired by Carl Sagan's famous perspective on EarthWed, 26 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/abstract/https://thehonestape.com/work/abstract/Dribbble design shot: Abstract ExperimentsWed, 14 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2018-01-01-clones/https://thehonestape.com/work/2018-01-01-clones/Dribbble design shot: ClonesMon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/grounded/https://thehonestape.com/work/grounded/Brand identity and community-focused design work for Grounded in Brookland, capturing the local spirit of Washington, D.C.Sat, 15 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/investigative-film/https://thehonestape.com/work/investigative-film/Direct collaboration with festival founders forged a brand identity marked by authenticity and cultural significance.Sun, 01 Mar 2015 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2013-10-17-icon-set-wip/https://thehonestape.com/work/2013-10-17-icon-set-wip/Dribbble design shot: Icon Set WIPThu, 17 Oct 2013 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2013-07-01-hot-dog/https://thehonestape.com/work/2013-07-01-hot-dog/Dribbble design shot: Hot DogMon, 01 Jul 2013 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2013-04-24-chillin/https://thehonestape.com/work/2013-04-24-chillin/Dribbble design shot: ChillinWed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2013-04-08-horse/https://thehonestape.com/work/2013-04-08-horse/Dribbble design shot: HorseMon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2013-04-04-little-vampire/https://thehonestape.com/work/2013-04-04-little-vampire/Dribbble design shot: Little VampireThu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/casual-sophistication/https://thehonestape.com/work/casual-sophistication/Dribbble design shot: Casual Sophistication IconsTue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2012-05-14-snoop/https://thehonestape.com/work/2012-05-14-snoop/Dribbble design shot: SnoopMon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2012-05-10-dont-like/https://thehonestape.com/work/2012-05-10-dont-like/Dribbble design shot: Dont LikeThu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2012-05-09-tea-for-two/https://thehonestape.com/work/2012-05-09-tea-for-two/Dribbble design shot: Tea For TwoWed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2012-05-04-push-the-button/https://thehonestape.com/work/2012-05-04-push-the-button/Dribbble design shot: Push The ButtonFri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2011-10-10-calloway/https://thehonestape.com/work/2011-10-10-calloway/Modular typeface design completed in Letter Workshop with Ben Kiel from House Industries.Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2011-04-05-bioplastics/https://thehonestape.com/work/2011-04-05-bioplastics/A modular mark system for bioplastics created for the Cereplast-Make Your Mark Contest, designed at MICA.Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2006-07-04-lcdp/https://thehonestape.com/work/2006-07-04-lcdp/Design work for La Clínica del Pueblo, a non-profit clinic in Washington DC providing health services to the community. Includes annual gala collateral, website design, newsletters, and annual reports inspired by Central American folk art.Mon, 11 May 2026 12:47:31 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2011-04-15-medium/https://thehonestape.com/work/2011-04-15-medium/A publication project completed in Advanced Publications Design in graduate school. Originally a music blog started in the early 2000's in Austin, expanded to cover DC music and culture.Mon, 11 May 2026 12:47:31 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2010-10-10-nocturnal-animals/https://thehonestape.com/work/2010-10-10-nocturnal-animals/A publication project exploring nocturnal animals, completed in Advanced Publications Design in graduate school.Mon, 11 May 2026 12:47:31 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2012-04-05-hifi-lofi-wifi/https://thehonestape.com/work/2012-04-05-hifi-lofi-wifi/My MFA thesis: an exploration of sound-reactive images, technology, and interaction, built from a series of interconnected analog and digital MIDI controllers.Mon, 11 May 2026 12:47:31 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2011-04-10-infographic/https://thehonestape.com/work/2011-04-10-infographic/A graphic infographic completed with assets created during an infographic workshop.Mon, 11 May 2026 12:47:31 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/2021-06-15-neurogazer/https://thehonestape.com/work/2021-06-15-neurogazer/Brand identity design for neuroscience AI company developing MRI technologies for brain disorder treatment. Includes brand identity, marketing website, and prototype patient platform.Mon, 11 May 2026 12:47:31 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/starry-night/https://thehonestape.com/work/starry-night/Brand identity and website design for Starry Night Capital, a blockchain and cryptocurrency investment firm. This project allowed us to familiarize ourselves with the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency.Mon, 11 May 2026 12:47:31 GMTdesignhttps://thehonestape.com/work/purpose/https://thehonestape.com/work/purpose/Reflections on graduate school application statements and sharing growth as designers. A collection of MICA GDMFA alumni statements.Mon, 11 May 2026 12:47:31 GMTwritingdesign