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