A Little About Me

Hi there! I'm Yassmin Raiszadeh, a Persian-American graphic designer, photographer, and all-around creative.

I've been making things for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I was always drawing, experimenting with something new, or picking up a musical instrument. I was especially fascinated by Microsoft Paint on our family computer and could spend hours making digital art. I didn't know it at the time, but I was already discovering what would eventually become my career.

Years later, I realized I could actually make a living doing something I loved. I went on to study graphic design at George Mason University, where I also developed a love for photography. Throughout college, I dreamed of taking a long road trip across America, visiting national parks, and photographing the landscapes along the way. After graduating in 2021, I made that dream happen! I spent four months traveling around the country, exploring more than 25 national parks, and building a photography portfolio along the way.

Not long after, another unexpected adventure came my way: an opportunity to live and work on a farm in Hawaii. I bought a one-way ticket and went for it! I spent the next year wearing many hats, from designing promotional materials for the farm's agritourism programs to leading tours, tending vegetable gardens, and caring for fruit trees. It was an incredibly formative experience that taught me so much beyond design, and I'm grateful I gave myself that time to explore a different way of life.

While I was living in Hawaii, one of my favorite professors from college reached out about a design opportunity at The Hatcher Group, a creative communications agency. I was thrilled! As much as I loved my adventures, I was eager to begin my career as a graphic designer.

I joined Hatcher in October 2022 as a contractor and transitioned into a full-time Senior Graphic Designer role in January 2023. Over the next several years, I had the opportunity to work on an incredible variety of projects for government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, and educational organizations. My work spanned branding and logo design, advertising campaigns, publications, infographics, illustration, and much more. I led creative projects, collaborated with talented teams, worked closely with clients, and received multiple design awards along the way.

Looking back, my time at Hatcher was one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life. I grew tremendously as a designer, developed friendships with colleagues I deeply admired, and learned so much from being surrounded by people who cared about their work. It's an experience I'll always be grateful for.

Outside of design...

My curiosity for creating doesn't stop when I step away from the computer. I love working with my hands and experimenting with just about any creative medium I can get my hands on. Jewelry making, eco-printing, drawing, painting, pottery... you name it, I'm probably interested in trying it!

Music is another big part of my life. I'm a bit of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to instruments. I play harmonium, guitar, flute, ukulele, and various percussion instruments. I may not be a master of any one of them, but I love learning and making music.

And of course, photography, traveling, and spending time in nature continue to be some of my greatest joys. Whether I'm exploring a new landscape, learning an instrument, or making something with my hands, I think I'll always be happiest when I'm discovering or creating something new.

Awards

2023 | GDUSA American Design Awards – ATSSA, Logo and Branding

2023 | GDUSA American Design Awards – ALC, Event Graphics

2023 | GDUSA American Design Awards – Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, Event Branding

2024 | GDUSA American Design Awards – MDMOM, Resource Map

2024 | GDUSA American Design Awards – TeamStepps, One Pager

2024 | GDUSA Digital Design Awards – CBCF, ALC Sizzle Reel

2024 | GDUSA Digital Design Awards – Clean Water Action, Composting Infographic

2024 | GDUSA Digital Design Awards – The Wallace Foundation ECPI Project, Baltimore City Public Schools, Leadership Development Infographic

2024 | GDUSA Digital Design Awards – NADTC Every Ride Counts, Digital Out of Home Ads

2025 | GDUSA Digital Design Awards –Montgomery Country Department of Environmental Protection, Tree Montgomery Infographic

2026 | GDUSA Digital Design Awards – Virginia Department of Education, Drug Usage Prevention Video Storyboard