Hi, I'm Nathaniel Abuan!
I'm a studio photographer and designer currently studying Speculative Design and Cognitive Science at UC San Diego. I develop and manage brand identities and visual assets for creators, educators, and organizations across all industries and disciplines.
I currently work as a Senior Communications Assistant for the UC San Diego Design Lab, where I capture photography and videography that promotes research and education in human-centered design. I am also the founder of NOIRE, an interdisciplinary design practice exploring critical and speculative approaches to visual communication.
–
Hi, I'm Nathaniel Abuan!
I'm a studio photographer and designer currently studying Speculative Design and Cognitive Science at UC San Diego. I develop and manage brand identities and visual assets for creators, educators, and organizations across all industries and disciplines.
I currently work as a Senior Communications Assistant for the UC San Diego Design Lab, where I capture photography and videography that promotes research and education in human-centered design. I am also the founder of NOIRE, an interdisciplinary design practice exploring critical and speculative approaches to visual communication.
–
Hi, I'm Nathaniel Abuan!
I'm a studio photographer and designer currently studying Speculative Design and Cognitive Science at UC San Diego. I develop and manage brand identities and visual assets for creators, educators, and organizations across all industries and disciplines.
I currently work as a Senior Communications Assistant for the UC San Diego Design Lab, where I capture photography and videography that promotes research and education in human-centered design. I am also the founder of NOIRE, an interdisciplinary design practice exploring critical and speculative approaches to visual communication.
–
Selected Works
Updated: 19 November 2025
© Nathaniel Abuan / 2025
Selected Works
/ 19 November 2025
/ NOIRE
Interdisciplinary design practice and publication exploring speculative approaches to photography, design, and visual communication. Directed operations, brand identity, and web / UI design, while also managing social media content, strategy, and concept designs for future initiatives.
Role
:
Founder
Year
:
2024 - Present
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
/ NOIRE
Interdisciplinary design practice and publication exploring speculative approaches to photography, design, and visual communication. Directed operations, brand identity, and web / UI design, while also managing social media content, strategy, and concept designs for future initiatives.
Role
:
Founder
Year
:
2024 - Present
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
/ NOIRE
Interdisciplinary design practice and publication exploring speculative approaches to photography, design, and visual communication. Directed operations, brand identity, and web / UI design, while also managing social media content, strategy, and concept designs for future initiatives.
Role
:
Founder
Year
:
2024 - Present
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
/ UC San Diego Design Lab
Led photography, video, and communication projects supporting The Design Lab's human-centered design initiatives, from candid event coverage and professional headshots to social media content, management, and post-production. Contributed to the Lab's communications strategy by researching peer and competitor organizations and translating findings into recommendations.
Role
:
Communications Assistant
Year
:
2024 - Present
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
/ UC San Diego Design Lab
Led photography, video, and communication projects supporting The Design Lab's human-centered design initiatives, from candid event coverage and professional headshots to social media content, management, and post-production. Contributed to the Lab's communications strategy by researching peer and competitor organizations and translating findings into recommendations.
Role
:
Communications Assistant
Year
:
2024 - Present
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
/ UC San Diego Design Lab
Led photography, video, and communication projects supporting The Design Lab's human-centered design initiatives, from candid event coverage and professional headshots to social media content, management, and post-production. Contributed to the Lab's communications strategy by researching peer and competitor organizations and translating findings into recommendations.
Role
:
Communications Assistant
Year
:
2024 - Present
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
/ Speculative Design
Exploration of design as a method to imagine alternative futures and respond to social, ecological, and technological change.
Undergraduate coursework includes research based art practice, digital media, computing in the arts, studio photography, and critical theory.
Institution
:
UC San Diego
Year
:
2024 - Present
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
/ Speculative Design
Exploration of design as a method to imagine alternative futures and respond to social, ecological, and technological change.
Undergraduate coursework includes research based art practice, digital media, computing in the arts, studio photography, and critical theory.
Institution
:
UC San Diego
Year
:
2024 - Present
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
/ Speculative Design
Exploration of design as a method to imagine alternative futures and respond to social, ecological, and technological change.
Undergraduate coursework includes research based art practice, digital media, computing in the arts, studio photography, and critical theory.
Institution
:
UC San Diego
Year
:
2024 - Present
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
/ Arc'teryx
Concept branding work for Arc'teryx / BEAMS campaign.
Made on Figma. Images via @Arcteryx.
Year
:
2024
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
/ Arc'teryx
Concept branding work for Arc'teryx / BEAMS campaign.
Made on Figma. Images via @Arcteryx.
Year
:
2024
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
/ Arc'teryx
Concept branding work for Arc'teryx / BEAMS campaign.
Made on Figma. Images via @Arcteryx.
Year
:
2024
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
/ NIKE + MMW
Concept design work for the NIKE / Matthew M. Williams capsule. Editorial work by KITH.
Made on Figma. Images via @IANEVANLAM.
Year
:
2023
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
/ NIKE + MMW
Concept design work for the NIKE / Matthew M. Williams capsule. Editorial work by KITH.
Made on Figma. Images via @IANEVANLAM.
Year
:
2023
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
/ NIKE + MMW
Concept design work for the NIKE / Matthew M. Williams capsule. Editorial work by KITH.
Made on Figma. Images via @IANEVANLAM.
Year
:
2023
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Tap or Drag
Hi, I'm Nathaniel Abuan!
I'm a studio photographer and designer currently studying Speculative Design and Cognitive Science at UC San Diego. I develop and manage brand identities and visual assets for creators, educators, and organizations across all industries and disciplines.
I currently work as a Senior Communications Assistant for the UC San Diego Design Lab, where I capture photography and videography that promotes research and education in human-centered design. I am also the founder of NOIRE, an interdisciplinary design practice exploring critical and speculative approaches to visual communication.
–
Selected Works
Updated: 19 November 2025
© Nathaniel Abuan / 2025
/ NOIRE
Interdisciplinary design practice and publication exploring speculative approaches to photography, design, and visual communication. Directed operations, brand identity, and web / UI design, while also managing social media content, strategy, and concept designs for future initiatives.
Label
:
Text
Label
:
Text
Label
:
Text
Label
:
Text
Label
:
Text
Click or Drag
Click or Drag
Click or Drag