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ALHI
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2023

ALHI

ALHI is known as a global sales organization representing luxury hotels and resorts. Their focus is on providing meeting and incentive professionals and business executives with a diverse portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts for events, conferences, and other gatherings.

Project Build:

  • Services: Website Redesign
  • Prototyping: Adobe XD
  • Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop

Awards:

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Surf City USA, Huntington Beach, CA
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2023

Surf City USA, Huntington Beach, CA

"Surf City USA" is a nickname that is commonly associated with Huntington Beach, a city located in Orange County, California, United States. The city has embraced this moniker due to its reputation as a popular destination for surfing and beach culture.

Project Build:

  • Services: Website Redesign, Interactive Thematic Map
  • Prototyping: Webflow
  • Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Nikon D750

Awards:

  • Internet Advertising Competition: Outstanding Website, WebAward Competition: Outstanding Website, Communicator Award: Award of Excellence, dotCOMM Awards: Gold, Hermes Creative Award: Gold, Davey Awards: Gold, AVA Digital Award: Gold
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Livingston County, NY
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Livingston County, NY
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2022

Livingston County, NY

Livingston County is known for its rural charm, agricultural heritage, and outdoor recreational opportunities. It offers a mix of small-town living and natural beauty, making it desirable for residents and visitors seeking a quieter and picturesque environment in western New York.

Project Build:

  • Services: Website Redesign
  • Prototyping: Webflow
  • Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop

Awards:

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Screenwriting TruthScreenwriting Truth
Paul Guyot during his first local author event at Stacks Book Club in Oro Valley, AZ.
Screenwriting Truth
Paul Guyot presenting at Stacks Book Club in Oro Valley, AZ in December 2023.
Screenwriting Truth
Kill The Dog — Book Cover Illustration & Design By Desi Aragon
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2022 - Ongoing

Screenwriting Truth

ScreenwritingTruth.com is a dedicated online platform curated by renowned screenwriter Paul Guyot, offering invaluable insights and resources for aspiring and experienced screenwriters alike. The website serves as a hub for the art and craft of screenwriting, providing a wealth of information through blog posts, thought-provoking articles, and a collection of essential resources. Newcomers can also delve into Paul Guyot's book Kill The Dog, which provides extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, access to practical tips, industry trends, and speaking the truth for like-minded storytellers.

Project Build:

  • Services: Book Cover Design, Brand Identity, Creative Direction, Photography, Website (CMS, Design & Development, E-commerce, Printful, Mailchimp)
  • Website Platform: Webflow
  • Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Nikon D750

Awards:

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Awesoos: The Photo Wranglers
Video — Awesoos: The Photo Wranglers debuts at The Arizona Taco Festival 2012
Awesoos: The Photo WranglersAwesoos: The Photo Wranglers
Video — Awesoos: The Photo Wranglers debuts at Phoenix Comicon 2013
Video — The Slow Motion Booth by Awesoos: The Photo Wranglers
Awesoos isometric graphic illustration of full floor plan of services
Awesoos: The Photo Wranglers
The Awesoos floor plan included three stations comprised of an area for props, photos, and prints.
Awesoos 7ft x 4ft mirrored productAwesoos Mini Adjustable Height Rig
The Awesoos proprietary hardware builds comprised of a 7x4 foot mirror (left) and a smaller height adjusting build (right).
Awesoos: The Photo Wranglers
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2012 - 2020

Awesoos: The Photo Wranglers

Owned and operated by Desi Aragon, Awesoos: The Photo Wranglers was a premier photography service that captured moments with unparalleled artistry and precision. Specializing in various photography genres, Awesoos stood out as a team of skilled professionals with a passion for visual storytelling. Their portfolio showcased diverse events, capturing the essence of festivals, comicons, charity events, weddings, and more. Beyond creating stunning visuals, Awesoos emphasized a collaborative and enjoyable experience, ensuring that every photo event was not just a service but a memorable journey.

Project Build:

  • Services: Branding, Marketing, Proprietary Hardware & Software Applications, Website Design & Development
  • Website Platform: Wordpress, Flickr, SmugMug
  • Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Nikon Cameras

Awards:

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Aikido Academy of Southern ArizonaAikido Academy of Southern ArizonaAikido Academy of Southern ArizonaAikido Academy of Southern ArizonaAikido Academy of Southern Arizona
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2019-2023

Aikido Academy of Southern Arizona

The Aikido Academy of Southern Arizona was a dedicated martial arts institution offering comprehensive training in Aikido's Japanese martial arts. Committed to fostering physical and mental well-being, the academy provided a welcoming environment for individuals of all ages and skill levels. Led by experienced and skilled instructors, the academy offered a range of Aikido classes designed to enhance self-defense capabilities, promote fitness, and instill the principles of harmony and non-aggression.

Project Build:

  • Services: Branding, Creative Direction, Photography, Social Media, Website Design & Development
  • Website Platform: Webflow
  • Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Nikon D750

Awards:

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One-eyed fish creature in a bucket of water and a tentacled creature in a boxPaul Guyot: Screenwriting Truth - The cat does not need saving.Shepard Fairy inspired illustration of Carl Sagan"That's What Sushi Said" Food truck branding"NERDS 4r3 53xy" apparel design
Arizona Taco Festival and Awesoos Photo Backdrop
Plant Your Wood Illustrative Bookmark concepts
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2000 - Ongoing

Design & Illustrations

I have always had a bold and visually graphical style when it comes to illustration. During my years in college, I was inspired by the unique styles of Douglas Fraser and Mark Frederickson. I became specialized in using Prismacolors and my trusty Iwata Airbrush, and eventually became drawn to digital vector applications, starting with Macromedia Freehand. You may also notice that I became a fan of Shepard Fairey's work when he created his infamous Obama Hope poster. I am considering going back to focusing on my roots in illustration and incorporating a little bit of AI into the mix.

Project Build:

  • Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator, A Sketchpad & Pencil

Awards:

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A fantastic view down of the early afternoon fall landscape from the ski lift at Jay Peak Resort, Vermont.
A fantastic view down of the early afternoon fall landscape from the ski lift at Jay Peak Resort, Vermont.
A lone mushroom nestled in its friendly neighborhood moss was captured during a hike up the Jay Peak mountain.
A single mushroom nestled among the friendly neighborhood moss was captured during a hike up Jay Peak Mountain.
The enthusiastic warm-up at the Tough Mudder USA event in Phoenix, AZ.
The enthusiastic warm-up at the Tough Mudder USA event in Phoenix, AZ.
Down the pipes and into the bog is one of the obstacle courses at the Tough Mudder USA event in Phoenix, AZ.
Down the pipes and into the bog at one of the many obstacle courses at the Tough Mudder event in Phoenix, AZ.
The moment framed within a heart shape before the official kiss to their right of marriage.
The moment framed within a heart shape before the official kiss to their right of marriage.
A boy and his dad near the Huntington Beach Pier in California.
A boy and his dad near the Huntington Beach Pier in California.
Gourmet Hawaiian-themed chocolates at a local dessert venue in Huntington Beach, California.
Gourmet Hawaiian-themed chocolates at a local dessert venue in Huntington Beach, California.
Roasting marshmallows on the fire pit near the Huntington Beach Pier during a purplish sunset.
Roasting marshmallows on the fire pit near the Huntington Beach Pier during a purplish sunset.
The third night of theblazing Santa Catalina Mountains was set off by a single lightning bolt.
The third night of the blazing Santa Catalina Mountains that was set off by a single lightning bolt.
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2011 - Ongoing

Photography

I have a passion for capturing candid and spirited photos. My journey in photography began with the birth of my first child, which inspired me to document every special moment and birthday party during those early years. As I continued to hone my skills, I developed a natural ability to frame these moments within the viewfinder, leading to more rewarding opportunities. While I am proficient in shooting with both Nikon and Canon cameras, I typically use Nikon for my photography. Take a moment to enjoy some of my most memorable shots.

Project Build:

  • Website Platforms: Flickr, Smugmug
  • Design Tools: Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Nikon D750, Nikon 24-70mm 2.8, Nikon 70-200mm 2.8

Awards:

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Creating Visual Storytelling Experiences For Destinations Around The Country

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Desi Aragon

The lobby of the Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort by the Pacific Hideaway Restaurant — Photograph by Desi Aragon

Introduction

Desi Aragon at Pier 7 Vista point in San Francisco, CA.

Travel & Tourism

Since 2018, through my tenure at Simpleview, the leading software solution for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), I have had over 40+ (and counting) memorable collaborations with U.S. destinations stretching from Honolulu to the eastern shores of Georgia. As I continue to offer my creative insights and visual storytelling to enhance each DMO's tourism efforts and their distinctive personalities, please take a moment to preview a few of my most recent and award-winning projects.

Professional Experience

After graduating from SCAD in '93, I started my career as an Editorial Graphics Artist at The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville, Florida

I cherished unfolding the sections of newsprint every weekend to unravel my featured infographics and illustrations. It brought me joy knowing my family and friends were also sharing the experience.

Meanwhile, as the incredible opportunities of the internet began to unravel in the late 1990's, I decided to leave the southern comforts of the East Coast and pursue a westward web design journey to Tucson, Arizona — my career hub for nearly 25 years and counting.

Beyond web design, I continue to utilize my illustration skills in various projects and have also developed a passion for documentary-style photography.
‍Enjoy a few of these memorable photos by clicking here.  View a few of my illustrative works by clicking here.
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Photo by Nicholas Bartos - Unsplash

Journey

  

Aside from designing for travel destinations, I also work on other storytelling projects to fuel my creativity. These have been some of my most memorable and rewarding experiences in the recent years.