I’m Kyla!
I’m an artist, designer, and educator who is interested in how digital tools, political economy, and playful making can intersect in meaningful ways. I live in Brooklyn, New York, but I am from North Providence, Rhode Island. I cook a mean mushroom risotto.
Commercially, I practice design under my studio moniker, Patio. I mostly work with individuals and organizations to build visual identities that align to their values. I also design for film and produce books.
As an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at St. John’s University, I encourage students to explore vernacular histories and socially responsive design outcomes. My pedagogical research focuses on accessible tools and the tension between craft and optimization.
Want to chat? Get in touch.
Commercially, I practice design under my studio moniker, Patio. I mostly work with individuals and organizations to build visual identities that align to their values. I also design for film and produce books.
As an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at St. John’s University, I encourage students to explore vernacular histories and socially responsive design outcomes. My pedagogical research focuses on accessible tools and the tension between craft and optimization.
Want to chat? Get in touch.
Current Stuff
Current Stuff
I took a cool workshop at Typographics this past week and made this this cool thing. Thanks to Rob Stenson and his ST2 plugin, this was pretty easy to make.
To make a new typeface, you must procrasinate by adopting a colleague’s methods to create an entirely different and less complete typeface and then prototype it with the school Riso.
It’s a GREEN summer. With Patio, I worked with Blackthorn on their rebrand to create a fresh visual identity that marks their continued growth. Read the press release here.
I’ve been working on a typeface that will eventually be a liturgical Comic Sans based on my ideas about architecture in Barcelona.
This is a prompt tool I first made back at VCFA in 2021. I recently redesigned it to make it more complicated as a demo for the Interaction I class I teach at St. Johns.
Some dragons from Sant Jordi back in April.
My Garden
My Garden
June 5, 2025
Basil and black cherry tomatoes for eating.
Lavender to keep pesky ants away. Also for eating and..... lavender wands! Stay tuned for crafts.
Basil and black cherry tomatoes for eating.
Lavender to keep pesky ants away. Also for eating and..... lavender wands! Stay tuned for crafts.
Green Recipes
Green bean salad
Do you see the recipe below this one? It reminds me of my grandma’s classique green bean salad.
- Get a pound of green beans. After picking the ends of the green beans off, cut them into half or into thirds.
- Boil for 2-5 mins to favored level of tenderness. Make sure the water is nice and salty.
- While that is happening, dice up 1/4 of a red onion and 1/4 cup packed of parsley. Throw it in a salad bowl.
- Drain the green beans and chill in a bowl of ice. Put it in the bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil and red wine vinegar. Add coarse salt. Mix and taste as you go.
- A little bit of black pepper is nice here too.
- Chill for an hour, then serve.
Asparagus salad
I had a pound of purple asparagus my friend gave me before she left for vacation and it was on its way out. After a quick Google search for “asparagus salad,” I saw a reel video that suggested mixing it with dill, parsley, pistachio, and feta. I am allergic to pistachios. Here’s what I did:
- Chop the stalks of 1lb. of asparagus into 1 inch pieces.
- Boil for 2-5 mins to favored level of tenderness. Make sure the water is nice and salty.
- While that is happening, chop up 1/2 cup packed of dill and 1/2 cup packed of parsley. Throw it in a salad bowl.
- Drain the aparagus and chill in a bowl of ice. Put it in the bowl.
- Make a dressing with olive oil, salt, dijon mustard, and rice wine vinegar, and a clove of garlic. Trust your instincts here.
- I put about a half cup of Bulgarian feta. It’s not too salty.
- Toss everything with enough dressing so everything is coated nicely but no liquid sits in the bowl.
- You can add black pepper if you like that.
- Chill for an hour, then serve.
Work Archive
Some of my graphic design work from over the years including commercial outputs and self-initiated projects. For formal case studies, visit patio.space.January 2025
Build With Purpose
Visual identity for a strategy consultant focused on helping mission-driven organizations build sustainable futures.
Build With Purpose
Visual identity for a strategy consultant focused on helping mission-driven organizations build sustainable futures.
