TYLER VARNER
Santa Barbara,CA
Summary
Creative stylist and designer with a refined eye for aesthetics, color, and visual storytelling. Trained in design fundamentals with hands-on experience translating concepts into cohesive, visually compelling narratives. Deeply connected to the Santa Barbara coastal lifestyle and Free People's effortlessly curated aesthetic. Passionate about creating looks that feel expressive and perfectly imperfect.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Design & Styling Projects
01.2021 - Current
- Curated and designed 50-piece typographic album cover series, demonstrating ability to maintain cohesive visual identity while exploring creative diversity
- Developed complete brand visual identity for sustainable housing concept, including mood boards, color palettes, and lifestyle imagery that communicated aspirational living
- Created AI-driven beauty campaign challenging narrow beauty standards and celebrating diverse representations-aligning with inclusive, body-positive values
Marketing Volunteer
Downtown Women's Center
Los Angeles
01.2022 - 03.2022
- Supported visual marketing and brand presentation for women-founded small businesses
- Applied design eye to help entrepreneurs communicate their unique stories and products
- Los Angeles
Volunteer
Ronald McDonald House
08.2018 - 12.2019
- Supervised creative art projects, demonstrating ability to create welcoming, inspiring environments
- Natural ability to connect with people and create positive, memorable experiences
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Design Media Arts
University of California, Los Angeles
01.2025
Pre-College Art Experience Program - Graphic Design, Photography, and Illustration
Academy of Art University
01.2020
Skills
- Visual Design
- Composition
- Color Theory
- Balance
- Proportion
- Visual Hierarchy
- Photo Styling
- Layout Design
- Visual Storytelling
- Brand Aesthetic
- Trend Awareness
- Photography Direction
- Photo Retouching
- Adobe Lightroom
- Photoshop
- Lookbook Design
- Editorial Layout Design
- InDesign
- Illustrator
- Mood Board Creation
- Visual Presentation
- Figma
- Canva
- Brand Identity Development
Lifestyle And Personal Style
Santa Barbara Local - Fully immersed in the coastal California lifestyle: surfing, beach culture, and the relaxed-yet-refined aesthetic that defines the area. Deep understanding of the Free People customer who values individuality and effortless style., Believe style is about self-expression and confidence. Drawn to vintage-inspired pieces, natural textures, layered looks, and the art of mixing high and low. Passionate about helping others discover their unique style voice.
Design And Styling Expertise
Expert understanding of color theory, balance, proportion, and visual hierarchy, Skilled at curating cohesive looks and creating mood through intentional styling choices, Trained in photo styling, layout design, and visual storytelling across multiple mediums, Strong instinct for the Free People customer: vintage-inspired, and authentically styled, Ability to translate brand identity into tangible visual experiences, Experience creating diverse, inclusive representations that honor individual beauty and style, Photography direction and photo retouching (Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop), Lookbook and editorial layout design (InDesign, Illustrator), Mood board creation and visual presentation (Figma, Canva), Brand identity development and visual storytelling
Coursework
- Typography
- Color Theory
- Visual Storytelling
- Photography
- Motion Design
- Game Design
Timeline
Marketing Volunteer
Downtown Women's Center
01.2022 - 03.2022
Freelance Design & Styling Projects
01.2021 - Current
Volunteer
Ronald McDonald House
08.2018 - 12.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Design Media Arts
University of California, Los Angeles
Pre-College Art Experience Program - Graphic Design, Photography, and Illustration
Academy of Art University