Harmony in Contrast

Nika Ma

Art Director, Designer, Maker of all things Pretty

I'm Nika, a designer and creative based in New York City with Los Angeles roots.

I've always been drawn to duality. Whether I'm slipping into heels for a night on the town or rocking my sneakers to meet up with my eight-ball pool league, I find inspiration in the contrasts of life.

This dynamic is mirrored in my design work, where I blend delicate, refined aesthetics with bold, trendsetting styles.

+Branding

+Packaging

+Digital Design

portfolio

Kiehl’s

  • Kiehl’s sought a fun Valentine’s Day mailer for their favorite influencers, challenging us to incorporate an interactive element into the design.

  • Teaming up with Butterlove and Hardwork, specialists in chocolate and pastries, we crafted a breakable chocolate heart mailer. Inside, influencers found Kiehl’s products, fostering a unique and shareable experience online.

Harper + Scott

  • The challenge faced by Harper + Scott was to effectively showcase their high-quality, sustainable products at their first-ever trade show. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, they sought to make a memorable impact on attendees while staying true to their brand values.

  • After careful consideration, Harper + Scott opted for a NYC Parks + Recreation theme for their booth design and visual identity. Leveraging this theme, I collaborated with them to meticulously curate a range of products and giveaways. Each item was thoughtfully selected to not only captivate the audience but also effectively communicate their dedication to sustainability and thought leadership. The selection included biodegradable polybags, water bottle, pens, stickers, tote bags, pins, and seed paper notebooks, with each item embodying their ethos of sustainability and innovation. By adopting this strategic approach, Harper + Scott successfully made a lasting impression at the trade show while staying true to their brand values.

Breaking Grounds - Realtor.com PRO New Construction

  • Realtor.com Pro New Construction, a team dedicated to empowering marketing professionals and sales leaders in the homebuilding industry, collaborated to brainstorm and develop a strategy for making a strong impact at the Jeff Shore Sales and Marketing Summit. Their goal was to engage attendees with tailored solutions, showcase innovative tools, and create memorable experiences—all while adhering to a budget of $8,000.

  • Together, we developed a concept that felt natural and inviting, moving away from a traditional sales-focused approach. The booth was styled as a cozy coffee shop, drawing attendees with the aroma of fresh coffee and creating a relaxed space for meaningful conversations.

    Live demos showcased Realtor.com Pro New Construction's innovative tools, helping marketing professionals differentiate their products and sales leaders accelerate pipelines. To leave a lasting impression, we gifted VIP attendees Realtor.com-branded coffee mugs, ensuring the experience resonated well beyond the summit—all while staying within budget.

Liquid IV

  • Liquid IV aimed to generate buzz for its limited edition Yellow Cherry flavor launch at Walmart stores during the summer of 2022. With a focus on evoking nostalgic memories of the '90s, they sought to create a back-to-school campaign that resonated with their target audience.

  • To achieve this, we devised a '90s nostalgia game pack mailer that perfectly aligned with Liquid IV's brand message. The mailer included two packs of Liquid IV, a tumbler, a digital pet, and a pack of Welly bandaids. This carefully curated selection of items not only captured the vibe of the '90s but also provided practical utility for the back-to-school season. By combining nostalgia with functionality, we created a memorable campaign that drove excitement and engagement around the Yellow Cherry flavor launch.

Solas

  • When Solas approached me, they expressed the need to translate their heartfelt mission into a brand identity that deeply resonated with their audience. Tasked with guiding individuals toward rediscovering joy and self-enlightenment, Solas sought an immersive experience reflective of their retreat's serene Irish landscapes.

  • Working closely with Solas, I embarked on a journey to weave together elements of romance, self-discovery, and natural beauty into their brand identity. Collaboratively, we crafted every detail, from the logo to the website design, to capture the transformative experience offered by their retreat. Drawing inspiration from Ireland's picturesque landscapes, we curated a visual narrative that invites attendees on a romantic odyssey of self-enlightenment. Through our collaborative efforts, we successfully created a captivating identity that resonates with Solas' mission, captivating the hearts of their audience and fostering a deeper connection with their retreat experience.

Realtor.com - Renovation Designer

  • Realtor.com approached me to create impactful visuals for their innovative new product, Renovation Designer, powered by Hover AI. This groundbreaking tool empowers homeowners and buyers to reimagine spaces by visualizing renovations with ease. The goal was to craft a compelling visual narrative that showcased the transformative power of the tool while aligning with Realtor.com's established brand identity. The challenge was to create an engaging, modern design that clearly demonstrated the product's capabilities and stood out in a competitive market.

  • To bring Renovation Designer to life, I designed a sleek, interactive split-screen visual featuring before-and-after imagery, connected by a Realtor.com-branded slider. This design allowed users to seamlessly explore the transformative potential of the tool. Where appropriate, I incorporated GIFs to dynamically demonstrate renovations in action, emphasizing the product’s innovative edge. The copy was carefully crafted to be clever and concise, highlighting key features like realistic renderings, user-friendly customization options, and the tool’s ability to inspire confidence in design decisions. Through this cohesive visual approach, I successfully elevated the perception of Renovation Designer as an essential tool for homeowners and professionals alike, ensuring it resonated with the Realtor.com audience.

Francie’s Flowers

  • With an abundance of cute and trendy flower shops blossoming across Brooklyn, New York, Francie's Flowers faced the daunting task of standing out amidst the vibrant floral scene. As a newcomer, they sought a distinctive identity to capture attention and carve their niche in the neighborhood.

  • In response to Francie's challenge, we crafted a solution that celebrated the essence of the female-owned business. Our design journey culminated in a captivating logo, intertwining elegance with familiarity by prominently featuring the owner's name. Drawing inspiration from the typography, we sculpted a bespoke floral icon, a timeless symbol that will be used throughout her branding system. Complementing the visual identity, we introduced a stylish fabric carrying case, an exclusive perk for loyal patrons, adding a touch of luxury to their floral experience.

Pantone 294

  • Pantone 294, the renowned Dodger fan club known for organizing trips to support the team since 2009, approached me seeking assistance in refreshing their brand. Despite their successful track record and strong community engagement, they recognized the need to elevate their branding to better reflect the dynamic experiences they offer. While they wished to maintain the feel of their existing logo, inspired by Hall of Fame jerseys, they sought a revitalized approach for their merchandise and web presence.

  • In response to Pantone 294's challenge, I embarked on a strategic journey to revitalize their brand while honoring its rich history. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Dodger blue and the nostalgia of Hall of Fame numbers, I crafted a refreshed visual identity that seamlessly blended tradition with modernity. Leveraging vibrant colors and dynamic typography, I designed a new range of merchandise that not only captured the spirit of the fan club but also appealed to a broader audience. Additionally, I revamped their website to create a user-friendly interface that showcased their trips and community activities in an engaging manner. Through this comprehensive refresh, Pantone 294 was able to maintain their authenticity while embracing a fresh new look that resonated with fans old and new.

Luxevue

  • Luxevue, a leading wedding film company renowned for skillfully capturing life's extraordinary moments, sought to enhance their brand presence. While their videographers excelled at artistic storytelling, they recognized the importance of aligning their branding and web aesthetic with their dedication to elegance and authenticity.

  • To meet Luxevue's challenge, we strategically elevated their brand identity and online presence, drawing inspiration from the luxurious lifestyles of the couples captured. Crafting a branding strategy aligned with the artistic storytelling in their wedding films, we developed a cohesive identity that resonated with their audience. With carefully chosen logo design and colors, we evoked elegance and sophistication. Integrating this branding seamlessly into their website design, we created an immersive online experience that showcased Luxevue's professionalism. As a result, Luxevue effectively conveyed their unique value proposition, solidifying their position as a premier wedding film company.

Perfect Child

  • Perfect Child, a wine company with a bold and unconventional approach, aimed to challenge the conventional perception of perfection. They wanted to develop a brand identity that embraced the edgy narrative of how a "perfect child" might actually be a troublemaker, acknowledging that even if you were once considered the perfect child yourself, indulging in wine can sometimes lead to mischief.

  • As this project is ongoing, I wanted to incorporate a rough process project that showcases the beginning stages of my design process. These initial design concepts for Perfect Child's brand identity represent just the start of our exploration. They range from sleek and sophisticated to bold and whimsical, providing a glimpse into the various directions the client can take.

Bicoastal Feels

  • Crafting Bicoastal Feels presented a unique challenge: to create a brand that resonates deeply with individuals seeking a profound connection. From the outset, the goal was to capture the idea of manifestation, love, sins, and sweet notes, weaving them into a cohesive and meaningful brand identity.

  • I immersed myself in a comprehensive branding and packaging journey, curating every element to embody the brand's unique character. From the logo to the color palette and typography, my design speaks volumes about Bicoastal Feels, offering an emotional journey of exploration and connection for its audience.

Waves

  • Creating Waves, an elegant and artistic planner curated exclusively for women, posed the challenge of seamlessly integrating cycle tracking, the allure of astrology, and the liberating space of a journal into a cohesive and nurturing platform for each day, week, and month of the year.

  • I crafted the branding and intentional page layout for this innovative project. From the logo design to the typography and page elements, every detail was thoughtfully considered to ensure a seamless and visually engaging user experience. By combining functionality with aesthetic appeal, Waves offers women a nurturing and empowering tool to navigate their lives with intention and grace.