Nugget: Illustration and Email Design

I was Nugget’s first in-house designer. It was my role to develop the visual brand guidelines — including shaping the illustration style and training new team members on how to execute it. Vector illustration is at the heart of Nugget’s visual system. The style needed to be polished, modern, and flexible enough to adapt to different aesthetics for new color releases, while remaining recognizable from a brand perspective. 

Nugget designs are characterized by rounded corners and a sense of dynamism. Builds are represented in perspectives that are clear and true-to-life, and illustrations are built primarily with standard vector shapes with subtle imperfections. The shape language had to have charm and character, but be quick for new hires to pick up.

For over 5 years I’ve worked on illustrations for Nugget’s website, social channels, employee apparel, printed collateral, paid ads, email newsletter and more. As Design Manager, I oversee our Graphics, Illustration, and Animation Department (GIA).

✷ Illustration
✷ Visual branding/Brand identity
✷ Digital advertising
✷ Design Direction

Email Newsletters

Email layouts I designed and illustrated for our newsletter subscribers. In addition, I’ve worked with our Email Marketing Manager to design A/B tests, upload the designs to Klaviyo, and review all email graphics created by GIA teammates prior to publication. Our emails showcase the flexibility and fun of our visual brand through playful theming with a spotlight on Nugget’s adaptable illustration style.

Lolly, Fairway, and Potion: Misc. Illustrations.

A Year in Numbers, 2025

Brand Carousels

Sample Illustrations I created for the Nugget blog and our Instagram grid.

A Year in Numbers, 2021 Carousel

“It was a banner year over at Nugget!”
Illustrations for a blog of annual highlights.

Design Exercises

As Design Manager, I’ve assigned simple monthly drawing prompts to our team of illustrators. This was started with the intention to further unify our work while still allowing us to flex our creativity — thinking about how we can each interpret regular objects into something distinctly “Nuggety.” We’ve continued these exercises as the team has found it to be a great way to express one of our four company values: Just For Fun. Below are some of my contributions!

Ex. Prompts ︎

• “Create a blog divider based on a randomly generated word.”
  
• “Create a Visual Design Language and Nugget color name inspired by a random hex code”
• “Create a suite of design elements inspired by your favorite snack.”
• “It’s a Nugget potluck! Draw what you’re bringing.”
• “Re-draw an old illustration of yours — how can you improve it?”
• “Illustrate yourself as a Nuggety Gingerbread Person! Don't forget any edible accessories that make you, YOU.”
  
• “What would your dream robot look like in Nugget-style? What function would it serve?
• “Everyone draws from the same reference photo!”