Aya Petri
Introduction:
Welcome to my professional profile.
With a background in Literature and Creative Writing, and East Asian Studies, I'm a Creative Professional with a strong interest in publishing, content development and design. Passionate about fiction, I'm currently working toward publishing my own writings with the continued support and mentorship of my university professors.
Summary:
My work spans both written communication and digital image production. I'm highly motivated, organised and proactive with the ability to manage schedules, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines. I'm comfortable collaborating with external partners and stakeholders, and take pride in ensuring that my work is accurate and delivered on time.
About Me
With a background in Literature and Creative Writing, and East Asian Studies, I’m a Creative Professional with a strong interest in publishing, digital graphic design and content development. Passionate about fiction, I’m currently working toward writing and publishing my own book with the continued support and mentorship of my university professors and authors I have come to know during my graduate studies.
I am also self-taught in Japanese language, driven by a genuine interest and deep appreciation for Japanese culture. This has shaped how I approach my written work, especially when it comes to tone, atmosphere and attention to detail. Travel has played an influential role in my perspective as well. Having spent time in both Europe and Asia, I bring a broader cultural awareness to my work, which influences how I think about audience, narrative, and creative expression.
Alongside writing, I’m self-taught in Adobe Creative Suite and enjoy working in digital illustration, graphic design and visual editing, for both clients and self-directed projects. I'm particularly interested in combining visual and written elements to create content that feels cohesive, immersive and engaging.
Highly motivated, organized and proactive I am confident managing schedules, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines, while maintaining accuracy and professionalism. I’m comfortable collaborating with external partners and stakeholders, and I enjoy learning new skills and taking on creative challenges – whether that means mastering new software or learning to read music in a week as a former cello player.
As a recent graduate, I am seeking opportunities in publishing, design and content development where I can contribute creatively, continue developing my skills and help produce thoughtful, meaningful and well-crafted work.
Professional Experience
Junior Print Designer / Junior Editor
[The Design Foundation]
2023
The Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
As a Junior Print Designer I contributed to the exhibits for the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, focusing on the design and implementation of presentation documents. I also assisted in editing animated media using provided assets for an interactive museum exhibit. In all, I supported editorial and production workflows for the exhibit materials, creating visual editing, collaborative content development and production coordination.
Student Internship
[The Design Foundation]
2022
Archival Management and Standardisation
I managed and provided file standardisation for the digitisation of 35mm slide assets. This also involved a high level of dtail regarding: image processing, cropping, straightening, exposure adjustment, removal of dust and scratches. A high level of accuracy was taken in file formatting (TIFF and JPEG - final image vs. viewing image). Back up and storage to three locations (Computer, Hard Drive and Cloud) was the final and crucial step in the archival process.
Graphic and Motion Designer
[Freelance]
2021 - Present
My commissioned work focuses on creating innovative visual content through a blend of digital illustration, motion design, graphic design and professional editing. I develop visual and editorial content for commissioned projects, balancing creative direction, client communication and deadline management.
Yonge Street Mural
[Student Competition Winner]
2019
I developed print-ready large-format panels for a temporary outdoor display installation. The images explored city life, public space, urban culture and contemporary urban scenarios.
I created mixed-media visual compositions using original photography, digital editing and superimposed graphic design elements.
Education
Liberal Arts and Professional Studies
2025 - 2026
York University
Literature and Creative Writing
Completion of Bachelor of Arts Degree
Liberal Arts and Professional Studies
2019 - 2020
York University
Literature and Creative Writing
East Asian Studies
2017 - 2019
York University
Year 2 and 3 of Program
Year 2 - Honour Roll Recipient
East Asian Studies
2016 - 2017
York University
Year 1 - Honour Roll Recipient
Core Skills
Adobe Creative Suite
I am self-taught in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere, Lightroom and Acrobat, and I'm eager to continue expanding my skills by exploring additional Adobe tools and applications.
Procreate and Clip Studio Paint
Skilled in both softwares, I create illustrations that function as independent artworks or as assets for broader editing and multimedia projects. I've developed illustrations for client commissions and self-directed projects.
MS Office Software
I'm experienced in using Microsoft Word and Excel for professional and academic work. I am also proficient in Teams.
Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
Through creative writing and literary analysis, I’ve developed strong critical thinking skills that help me create thoughtful, audience-focused communication strategies.
My Core Skills Consist of the Following:
-
Information Management / Data management
-
Research and Archival Organisation
-
Written and Verbal Communication
-
Attention to Detail
-
Creative Problem Solving
-
Independent and Collaborative Work
-
Visual Storytelling and Design
Independent Language Studies
Interests
Education First - Tokyo, Japan
[2018]
I successfully completed the Japanese language in a Study Abroad Program in Tokyo, Japan. I received a Certificate accreditation that was the equivalent of 4 university credits.
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre - Japanese Language
[2016]
I successfully completed the Advanced Conversational Japanese Course
(Level3)
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre - Japanese Language
[2015 - 2016]
I successfully completed the Advanced Conversational Japanese Courses
(Levels 1 and 2)
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre - Japanese Language
[2014 - 2015]
I successfully completed the Intermediate Conversational Japanese Courses
(Levels 2 and 3).
Special Achievement:
I was placed in Level 2 Intermediate after an assessment of my language skills, bypassing all Beginner Courses, and Level 1 of the Intermediate Level Courses. I was the only student below the age 18 minimum to be admitted to the course, beginning at age 15.
Japanese Language and Culture
[Self-directed]
My passion for Japanese language and culture has inspired me to explore its traditions, visual arts, storytelling, and communication styles. I have a keen interest in learning about its artistic traditions and design aesthetics, that began with my early preoccupation in manga and anime culture.
Visual Storytelling and Design
[Self-directed]
I enjoy using design as a storytelling tool, allowing me to transform ideas into engaging visual narratives. My passion for storytelling has found a visual outlet in the various media I adopt to create engaging and meaningful work that resonates with others.
Literature, Experimental Writing and Publishing
[University Educated]
My love for literature and poetry inspires my exploration of experimental writing and publishing, and I aspire to publish a book of my own one day.
Digital Illustration
[Personal Initiative]
Passionate about digital illustration, I enjoy creating artwork for commissioned projects as well as personal creative exploration.
