Profile
In 130 Words, Third Person
Ariela's first website was a 1996 Geocities classic designed in Macromedia's FutureSplash Animator (later known as Flash). Armed with an early understanding of vector graphics and html basics, Ariela spent her pre-teen and teenage years moonlighting as a "junior" visual designer (pun intended) and amateur blogger, eventually studying design at Washington University in St. Louis where she received a degree in Middle East Studies and a minor in Graphic Communications.
While attending college, Ariela worked with a university-sponsored student technology program as a member of its in-house web development team, designing and developing sites and interactive media for university departments and local businesses. After college, Ariela moved to New York City and took on a full-time design position with C2 Creative before starting her own formal freelance practice in 2008.
Recent Time Spent
Learning About "Plantar Fasciitis"
I began running regularly in October of 2009 after deciding that the gym smelled, and I needed a portable activity with minimal gear commitment. My personal distance record is 9.2 miles, and I've sustained four injuries thus far. (Probably should've gone with yoga.)
Annoying the Downstairs Neighbors
Last summer I rented a beautiful -- but empty -- pre-war apartment in St. Louis. With the help of Google (and a copy of Collins Complete Woodworker's Manual) I learned some building basics and began constructing furniture in my living room. My Amazon wishlist is now overrun with power tools.
& Taking Long Walks
As of January 2011, I have become the proud human companion and supplier-of-food to Milo, a 50lb rescue dog who delights in chasing squirrels, chasing rabbits, and chasing windswept pieces of trash that look like squirrels and/or rabbits.
The Rest
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In no particular order...
roadtrips, public radio (Radiolab!), the color yellow, driving through America's heartland, rocking out, sunshine, sunglasses, visiting friends & family, cold-weather running, and root beer floats.