Available to hire
I’m Emma Yeryeong Cha, a graphic designer and illustrator with a background in anthropology (sociocultural) and several years of experience supporting art, visuals, and youth-focused creative projects. I currently combine research-minded thinking with hands-on design—tutoring and consulting on portfolios, creating original artwork, and supporting lecture presentations with visuals that help people understand complex topics.
In addition to illustration and design, I’ve contributed to community and mental-health initiatives by creating research-informed posters and an online comic series for youth mental health awareness. Whether I’m designing banners and promotional materials, building visual stories like “Cactus,” or working on children’s book projects, I aim to make art that’s thoughtful, approachable, and meaningful to real audiences.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
Korean
Fluent
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced
Work Experience
Lecturer at UCSD Marine Environments / Climate Depression
February 18, 2026 - PresentPresented during ANTH 10: Climate Justice lecture (02/18/2026) to 200+ UCSD students and faculty; raised awareness of marine desertification and climate depression phenomena.
Lecturer at UCSD Marine Environments / Climate Depression lecture
February 1, 2026 - PresentPresented ANTH 10: Climate Justice to 200+ UCSD students and faculty members. Helped strengthen awareness of marine desertification and the climate depression phenomenon through engaging visual and communication materials.
Lab Designer at UCSD South American Archaeology Lab
February 1, 2026 - PresentSupported the creation of 20 illustrations of eco-patches across Peruvian coastal regions. Presented in ANTH 10: Climate Justice and shared work connected to Professor Arianna Garvin’s research.
South American Archaeology Lab Designer at UCSD South American Archaeology Lab
February 1, 2026 - PresentAssisted with 20 illustrations of ecopatches for Peru across coastal regions. Presented work in ANTH 10: Climate Justice lecture and supported Professor Aria(n)n Garvin in an ecopatch workshop focused on environmental justice along the Peruvian coast.
Head Curator / Head Curator (Exhibition) at UCSD Art Collective Exhbit
February 1, 2026 - PresentExhibited work at UCSD including “Cactus,” “Suicide Prevention Posters, Seoul,” and 10 original print illustrations. Curated and assisted colleagues while coordinating outside university/official bureaucratic processes.
Designer at UCSD South American Archaeology Lab
February 1, 2026 - PresentAssisted with 20 illustrations of eco patches in Peru via coastal regions. Presented in ANTH 10: Climate Justice lecture and in Professor Ariana Garvin's research (title).
Author at Online publication 'Cactus'
January 1, 2026 - PresentCreated online comic strips for youth mental health awareness; reached 8k+ audience. Sequel to a project 'Boy With Cactus'.
Underground Art Club Founder (Technical Illustration Support) at UCSD Underground Art Club
December 1, 2025 - PresentAssisted 5 members with technical illustration. Exhibited during Winter Quarter 2026 (week 8) and presented “Cactus” along with 10 original illustrations.
Founder at UCSD Undergrad Art Club
December 1, 2025 - PresentFounded and led UCSD Undergrad Art Club; mentored 5 members on technical illustration.
Founder at UCSD Undergraduate Art Club
December 1, 2025 - PresentFounded and led the club; assisted 5 members with technical illustration; exhibited during Week 8 of Winter Quarter 2026, presenting 'Cactus' and 10 original illustrations.
Portfolio Consultant (Consulting) at Seoul Test Nation
June 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Provided direct portfolio guidance and curated student projects, including presentation support.
Art Tutor / Visual Art Tutor at Seoul Test Nation
June 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Supported visual art tutoring as part of a portfolio and artwork guidance role.
Portfolio Consultant at Seoul Test Nation
June 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Assisted 20+ students with portfolio and artwork direction, curated student projects, and supported presentation development. Tutored illustration and digital media workflows using Procreate and Lightroom.
Portfolio Consultant at Seoul Test-Nation
June 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Assisted 10+ students with portfolio direction, curated projects, and presentations; provided tutoring on illustration and digital media (Procreate / Lightroom).
Portfolio Consultant at Youth Cultural Journal Forum
June 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Assisted 10+ students with portfolios and artworks, curating projects and presentations. Provided tutoring on illustration and digital media (Procreate / Lightroom).
Graphic Designer at Sunae Chaeknamo(e) Academy
January 1, 2025 - PresentDesigned blog banners and promotional posters. Provided Photoshop/Procreate/Canva tutorials for faculty members.
Graphic Designer at Sunae Chaek Namoo Academy
January 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Designed blog banners and promotional posters; provided instruction on Photoshop / Procreate / Canva for faculty.
Graphic Designer at Sunae Chaeknamoo Academy
January 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025Designed blog banners and promotion posters; provided instruction on Photoshop/Procreate/Canva for faculty.
Online Comic Author at Online publication “Cactus”
August 1, 2024 - PresentCreated online comic strips for youth mental health awareness, reaching 5k+ audience. Continued the “Cactus” series as a sequel to a prior passion-story book project (since 2023), with a Kickstarter launched in 2024.
Poster Artist at Suicide Prevention Posters initiative
August 1, 2024 - September 1, 2025Created original posters and illustrations through extensive research into suicide psychology. Installed 80+ posters around Hanam, Dongjak, and Mapo Bridge on the Han River in Seoul.
Poster Artist - Suicide Prevention at Han River / Seoul Suicide Prevention Posters Initiative
August 1, 2024 - September 1, 2025Crafted original posters and illustrations through extensive research in suicide psychology; installed 80+ posters around the Han River, Seoul.
Author at Online publication 'Boy With Cactus'
August 1, 2024 - PresentCreated online comic strips for youth mental health awareness; reached 5k+ audience. Sequenced to a passion story project 'Cactus' (started 2023); Kick started in 2024.
Researcher (Visual Chronology of Dokkaebi Researcher)
June 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025Investigated the influence of publications on the visual representation of dokkaebi. Accepted to Youth Cultural Journal Forum.
Visual Chronology of Dokkaebi Researcher at Research project
June 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025Investigated how public publication influences the visual representation of Dokkaebi. Accepted to the Youth Cultural Journal Forum, reflecting recognition of research and related contributions.
Workshop illustrator / Children’s book workshop illustrator at Bologna Children’s Book Workshop (BookGoo dCome agency)
September 1, 2021 - September 30, 2025Provided feedback to authors on illustrations, storyboards, and character designs. Served as the youngest participant and assistant in the BookGoodCome agency. Developed an original story book, “Belle and the Beast,” awaiting publication in 2027.
Children’s Book Workshop Illustrator at Bologna Children’s Book Workshop / BookGoodCome agency (as assistant/participant)
September 1, 2021 - September 1, 2025Provided feedback on authors’ illustrations, storyboards, and character design. Served as the youngest participant and assistant at the BookGoodCome agency. Developed an original story book, “Belle and the Beast,” awaiting publication in 2027.
Illustrations Assistant at Rury Lee’s Bologna Children’s Book Workshop
September 1, 2021 - PresentProvided feedback to agency coworkers on illustrations, revamped storyboards, and supported character design. Participated as the youngest member/assistant to join since the agency’s establishment. Developed an original storybook project (“Belle and the Beast”) awaiting publication in 2027.
Illustrator at Bologna Children's Book Workshop
September 1, 2021 - September 1, 2025Illustrator for a children's book workshop; created illustrations for a range of materials.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Anthropology at University of California, San Diego
January 11, 2030 - February 25, 2026Scholarship Admission at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
February 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026Scholarship Admission at School of Visual Arts (SVA)
March 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026Scholarship Admission at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026Scholarship Admission at Pratt Institute
April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026Scholarship Admission at Parsons School of Design
May 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026Anthropology (Sociocultural conc.) at University of California, San Diego
September 1, 2025 - September 10, 2026Speculative Design at University of California, San Diego
September 1, 2025 - September 10, 2026Anthropology (major, conc. Sociocultural) at University of California, San Diego
September 1, 2025 - September 19, 2026Anthropology (B.A. / major, concentration in Sociocultural) at University of California, San Diego
January 11, 2030 - September 1, 2025Qualifications
Character Fair 2023 Participant
October 1, 2023 - October 1, 2023Picasso Ultimate Diamond Winner
March 1, 2024 - March 1, 2024Suicide Prevention Posters Artist
August 1, 2024 - September 1, 2025Character Nan Bong-Sugar Merch Submission
October 1, 2023 - October 1, 2023Industry Experience
Education, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Other
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