Ainsley Gavin
I’m a fourth-year Graphic Design & Packaging student at Cal Poly pursuing opportunities in graphic and brand design. My background in studio art motivates me to create strong visual identities that linger. In my studies, I focus on a holistic approach to design - where manufacturing, logistics, marketing and distribution dynamics impact my work.
I serve as the Panel Director of Cal Poly's Packaging Symposium, and as a board member of RAW Magazine and Design Lab. Between my leadership roles and 2+ of freelance experience, I've learned to anticipate problems and create thoughtful, impactful solutions.
I’m actively seeking graphic design and brand design roles where I can contribute a strong design perspective informed by technical knowledge and a deep appreciation for the craft.
I’m a fourth-year Packaging student at Cal Poly pursuing opportunities in graphic and brand design. My background in packaging engineering and graphic design allows me to create at the intersection of both - where I focus on creating visual systems that are both aesthetically compelling and grounded in real-world constraints.
My experience includes packaging engineering coursework, freelance graphic design, and leadership roles within Poly Pack and Design Lab at Cal Poly, where I’ve collaborated across disciplines and strengthened my ability to pair creative direction with execution. I’m particularly drawn to graphic and brand design work that thoughtfully balances visual storytelling with functional requirements.
I’m actively seeking graphic design and brand design roles where I can contribute a strong design perspective informed by technical knowledge and a deep appreciation for craft.
Artwork
Artworks
Colored Pencil, 2023: Divine Feminine
This piece was attempt to use minimal lines to create a complete form. Notice how the lines of the cheeks connect to the eyes, which then flow to the chin.
Acrylic, 2021: Experimenting with rythm, flow and color.
Graphite, 2022: Mother Nature
At this time, I was really into circles, and what they can represent in artwork. I thought it would be interesting to create a geometric version of mother nature as a play on "sacred geometry".
Oil, 2026: Reclaimed
30 x 40"
This piece was my biggest canvas ever! Experimentation with light & shadow was the biggest goal of this painting.
Oil, 2025
Jelly!
This was a class project based on real life photos of desserts to evoke a sense of a landscape using food.
I was drawn to the idea of a jelly waterfall, which was lot of fun to paint. I hope you don't get too hungry!