Mathew Navarro is a second-generation Mexican American man who was born and raised in Carson City, Nevada. He graduated dean’s list from Western Nevada College with an Associate of Liberal Arts degree and Associate of Arts degree, then continued his studies at the University of Nevada Reno, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design as a member of the Honors Society, minoring in Art History. He has a strong passion for graphic arts and has many years of experience focusing on abstract vectors and composition. He is proficient in design software such as InDesign, Illustrator, XD, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, Cinema 4D, Maya, Octane Render, Zbrush, Sketchbook X/Pro Create, Figma, and all Windows/Google/Macintosh studio software, making him a great Full Stack Designer. In his free time, he is an electronic music producer that goes by the name “Kyu” creating bass-heavy and obscure 4x4 soundscapes and playing high-energy electronic shows being the center of attention keeping focus and concentration while motivating and uplifting large crowds.
He had been involved in the visual arts all of his life. Navarro started practicing typography and conceptual designs in real-world atmospheres when he was a graffiti artist at the young age of 14. He felt he wanted to expand his horizons after high school and continue to college after his studies. He was unsure about his academic path yet was introduced to a group of fellow designers who encouraged Navarro to take the path of a digital artist as a career. He then expanded his horizons once attending university in Reno, Nevada; and developed more skills and utilities in the graphic field. Within the University, Mathew created connections with colleagues, eventually meeting designer Jerod Rivera, who offered the position to be an apprentice designer for the Nevada Museum of Art as an intern. Here is where he learned most of his professional habits and shaped Navarro to be a malleable designer who is eager to pursue a graphic career and continually learn new skills and assets.
There was a lot that inspired the work of Mathew Navarro. His graffiti work in his younger years was inspired by great artists such as Craig Costello, Jean-Micheal Basquiat, Shepard Fairey, Keith Haring, and even the creation of mysterious British artist Banksy. He also was inspired by the surrealist movement in the mid-20th century by the works of Salvador Dali, Man Ray, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Miro. As for more contemporary inspirations, Navarro follows a contemporary style of avante-garde typography and obscure opulent three-dimensional art. The technique is coined cyber sigilism.
He currently studies at Kent State Ohio University to continue his design practice and broaden his horizon to pursue a career in UX/UI design communications. His goal to achieve a Master of Science in User Experience design will be the true start of his career as a successful designer.