Yena is an art director based in New York.
Visuals are more than just images. They are a powerful language that captures the spirit of the times and moves culture forward.
It is a language I have come to speak instinctively.
I’ve realized that how a brand is seen and remembered is never coincidental. At KnewNew Magazine, a digital F&B publication with 3.9 million monthly readers, I led every part of the creative process from planning and shooting to directing and copywriting.
By focusing on Gen Z, I explored how this generation engages with brands and turned those insights into clear, compelling visuals. KnewNew Magazine grew rapidly not just because we delivered information, but because we understood Gen Z’s tastes and communicated in a way that felt relevant and intuitive to them.
Each week, I visited a variety of stores, captured the unique atmosphere of each space, and translated the brand’s identity into visuals.
This wasn’t just about introducing F&B. It was about combining aesthetic sensibility with strategic messaging to elevate a brand’s appeal.
Even as trends shifted quickly, I helped brands maintain their essence while presenting themselves in a fresh, standout way.
This approach sets us apart from traditional digital magazines.
I don't aim to follow trends. I want to define them and create new directions.
As an art director, my goal is to develop visual strategies that reinterpret a brand’s core identity while staying in tune with the times.
I want to build brands that are not just seen, but remembered, engaged with, and truly experienced.
That is the kind of art direction I strive for.
Experience
BN Interactive | Creative Intern | 2024
Amalgam | Art Director Freelancer | 2025
Knewnew | Visual Director Freelancer | 2025
Education
School of Visual Arts (SVA) | BFA Advertising |
2021-2024(On a leave of absence from school)
Achievements
Department Scholarship Award Winner
2024 BFA Advertising (School of Visual Arts)
High Term Honors
2023 (School of Visual Arts)
Silas H. Rodes Merit Scholarship
2021-2025 (School of Visual Arts)
Leadership Role
Freshmen Orientation Representative Presenter
2023 (School of Visual Arts)
Recognition
2025 ANDY
Shortlist | Dove - Nope, I Won’t Get It
Vaseline - Blue Shield
2025 Young Ones One Show
Winner | Vaseline - Blue Shield
Merit | Heinz - The Breakfast Package
Merit | Vaseline - The First Scar
2025 Young Ones ADC
Winner&Merit | Dove - Nope, I Won’t Get It
2025 Clio
Shortlist X 3 | The Breakfast Package
2025 ADDY
Gold | Heinz - The Breakfast Package
Silver X 13 | Dove - Unofficial Ambassadors
Dove - Nope, I Won’t Get It
Heinz - The Breakfast Package
Duolingo - No More Love & Thanks