About me
Hi, I’m James! I was born and raised in Fruitvale, Oakland, by parents who are both from the Philippines. Growing up in a community rich with culture, creativity, and resilience has played a major role in shaping who I am and the work I create.
I began exploring graphic design during the pandemic in 2020, and what started as a creative outlet quickly introduced me to the worlds of photography, sports, music, and visual storytelling. Since then, my work has taken me to many places and given me opportunities that I am incredibly grateful for.
Experience (In Order)
MY JOURNEY
2022
Freelance Graphic Designer
Created social graphics throughout the 2022–2023 season, including milestones, player stats, wins, and playoff coverage. Designed clean, on-brand visuals in Adobe Photoshop for high-volume publishing schedules. Managed quick turnarounds and revisions while maintaining consistent quality and accuracy.
2022
Freelance Graphic Designer
Created social graphics throughout the 2022–2023 season, including milestones, player stats, wins, and playoff coverage. Designed clean, on-brand visuals in Adobe Photoshop for high-volume publishing schedules. Managed quick turnarounds and revisions while maintaining consistent quality and accuracy.
2022
Freelance Graphic Designer
Produced digital/social graphics for NFL coverage including matchups, player spotlights, and game-day posts. (Win Graphics, Playoff Graphics, Milestones) Photo compositing, retouching, and typography in Adobe Photoshop. Delivered assets under deadline and adjusted edits based on feedback.
2022
Freelance Graphic Designer
Produced digital/social graphics for NFL coverage including matchups, player spotlights, and game-day posts. (Win Graphics, Playoff Graphics, Milestones) Photo compositing, retouching, and typography in Adobe Photoshop. Delivered assets under deadline and adjusted edits based on feedback.
2025
Freelance Photographer
Shot game action, fan atmosphere, and key moments from Gold cup games in the Bay area. Edited and delivered selects with strong color, sharpness, and clean framing for publication use. Organized final selects for easy posting and sharing.
2025
Freelance Photographer
Shot game action, fan atmosphere, and key moments from Gold cup games in the Bay area. Edited and delivered selects with strong color, sharpness, and clean framing for publication use. Organized final selects for easy posting and sharing.
2025
Student Graphic Design Teacher
Selected by high school faculty to teach fundamental graphic design skills to a class of 20 junior and senior students Led a 2-month instructional program during junior year, introducing beginner-level design concepts and workflows Mentored students through hands-on projects using Adobe Photoshop to build technical and creative skills Provided constructive critiques and individualized feedback to support student growth and confidence.
2025
Student Graphic Design Teacher
Selected by high school faculty to teach fundamental graphic design skills to a class of 20 junior and senior students Led a 2-month instructional program during junior year, introducing beginner-level design concepts and workflows Mentored students through hands-on projects using Adobe Photoshop to build technical and creative skills Provided constructive critiques and individualized feedback to support student growth and confidence.
2023 — Present
Freelance Graphic Designer
Designed high-impact commitment graphics announcing clients’ next athletic destinations for social media Highlighted program details, team affiliations, and key information through clean, visually compelling layouts Collaborated with clients to ensure accurate branding, messaging, and timely delivery of graphics
2023 — Present
Freelance Graphic Designer
Designed high-impact commitment graphics announcing clients’ next athletic destinations for social media Highlighted program details, team affiliations, and key information through clean, visually compelling layouts Collaborated with clients to ensure accurate branding, messaging, and timely delivery of graphics
2025 — Present
Owner & Founder
Founded and lead CultureWaveMedia, overseeing day-to-day operations, content strategy, and sports and entertainment coverage Manage editorial planning, website and social platforms, and timely publication of breaking news, feature articles, and photo galleries Produce original visual content and scalable design templates (Photoshop–Canva workflows), while coordinating team assignments and external media partnerships
2025 — Present
Owner & Founder
Founded and lead CultureWaveMedia, overseeing day-to-day operations, content strategy, and sports and entertainment coverage Manage editorial planning, website and social platforms, and timely publication of breaking news, feature articles, and photo galleries Produce original visual content and scalable design templates (Photoshop–Canva workflows), while coordinating team assignments and external media partnerships
2025
Freelance Designer & Photographer
Created recruitment graphic designs under the direction of Alec Ripp Provided on-site photography coverage for the California Women’s Basketball program
2025
Freelance Designer & Photographer
Created recruitment graphic designs under the direction of Alec Ripp Provided on-site photography coverage for the California Women’s Basketball program
2026 - August
Design Intern
During my time at Bay FC, I contributed to the marketing efforts by capturing vibrant photography on gamedays and collaborating with the social team to generate creative ideas. I also designed graphics for special theme nights, enhancing the overall fan experience. This role allowed me to develop my skills in visual storytelling and graphic design while working in a dynamic startup environment.
2026 - August
Design Intern
During my time at Bay FC, I contributed to the marketing efforts by capturing vibrant photography on gamedays and collaborating with the social team to generate creative ideas. I also designed graphics for special theme nights, enhancing the overall fan experience. This role allowed me to develop my skills in visual storytelling and graphic design while working in a dynamic startup environment.
