PROFILE

My name is Jing Gao, and I am a Communication Design student at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. I focus on developing communication strategies that combine visual systems and storytelling to connect people and ideas across cultures. I strive to design with clarity, empathy, and intention—creating meaningful experiences that bridge design thinking with everyday life. Outside of design, I enjoy fishing, hiking, and photographing tranquil natural scenes that often inspire my creative perspective.

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  1. Clarendon URW Typeface Study


When I first started this project, I thought it would be straightforward—just putting the Clarendon URW letters in order and labeling their parts. But the deeper I looked, the more complicated it became. The curve of a shoulder, the weight of a stroke, even the way two lines connected—suddenly One of the hardest parts was deciding what to keep and what to leave out. Sometimes I wanted to show everything I noticed, but that only made the pages feel heavy. Other times I cut too much, and the work lost its meaning.

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Group Project: N  

Role: Research, Designe



02
  1. The Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects(Rework)


This project gives The Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects a fresh design. My aim was to keep the feeling of the original government report but make it easier to read and more engaging for today ’ s audience. The cover uses a black-and-white image with clear type to suggest both the seriousness of research and the mystery of the subject. Inside, I redesigned the layouts to balance text, graphics, and diagrams, so the pages feel structured yet lively.  

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Group Project: N

Role: Designer



03
  1. Say It To My Face — Newspaper Design


This project was a group exploration of how printed design can express emotion and honesty. Inspired by This American Life, our newspaper “Say It To My Face” focuses on the stories people are afraid to tell out loud — moments that are personal, uncomfortable, or quietly human.  

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Group Project: Y

Members: Kelly Choi

Role: Support Designer




04
  1. Break Mask — AR Poster

This project started from the idea of masks—how people often hide behind them, and what it means to break free. I designed a poster that shows two theatrical masks breaking apart under pressure, with gears in the background symbolizing the forces of society. The cracks on the masks create a sense of tension, while the phrase “BREAK MASK, BE YOURSELF” gives the message directly.  

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Group Project: N

Members: Role: Designer



05
  1. Graphic Design History Timeline — China & International Versions


Working on two versions of the timeline—one for Chinese graphic design and one for foreign design—was both challenging and exciting. At the start, I wasn’t sure how to show them in a way that felt consistent but also true to their different histories. With the Chinese version, I had to pay close attention to local traditions and changes over time, while the international version pushed me to focus on key moments that shaped design around the world.  

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Group Project: N  
 
Role: Designer & Researche



06
  1. Val Head Website Design


This project was about creating a website for Val Head, who is a big name in motion design for UI/UX. My goal was to make something that showed both her professional side and her personality. The website has clear sections—an introduction, her life, work experience, and books—so it feels organized but not too stiff.  

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Group Project: N  
 
Role: Designer





07
  1. The Truman Show — Title Sequence


This project was a group collaboration to create a title sequence for The Truman Show. Our idea was to show the film’s themes of surveillance and artificial reality by using camera overlays, CCTV aesthetics, and strong typography. The final sequence was built from style frames and then animated into a complete motion piece.
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Group Project: Y  

Members:  Kelly Choi

Role:  Support Designer







07 Brand Aduit- 826 Brand Design Nethemost Museum

The Nethermost Museum is dedicated to preserving
and interpreting the overlooked layers of cultural
history. Through thoughtful curation, immersive
storytelling, and accessible design, we bring forward
narratives that are often neglected or hidden.

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Group Project: N 

Role:  Designer