Hi, I'm Sarah Cao.

I'm based in San Francisco and graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a B.S. in Graphic Communication, concentrating in UX/UI, one of the few programs in the country that actually pairs design with the technical and production side of how things get made.

I take a problem and chip away at it until it turns into something beautiful and functional, that's true whether it's a blank canvas or an app trying to solve something as specific as PMDD. Right now, most of my work means lending strong artistic direction to other people's visions, bringing structure and craft to projects that matter to me.

Places I've Worked

2025 – Current

Open Media Communications

Contract Designer

Sole designer on F3 Innovate's site rebuild, refined their existing design system and restructured the information architecture on Squarespace, delivered in under four weeks and drove +106% traffic and +98% unique visitors month over month. Also produced the event collateral system for the Scale Fresno Summit.

Open Media Communications

Contract Designer

Sole designer on F3 Innovate's site rebuild, refined their existing design system and restructured the information architecture on Squarespace, delivered in under four weeks and drove +106% traffic and +98% unique visitors month over month. Also produced the event collateral system for the Scale Fresno Summit.

2023 – Now

Freelancer

Graphic Design

Design promotional posters, flyers, and visual identities for SF electronic music promoters and DJs, including Mach8 and 4Prod, with work distributed across Instagram and event materials.

Freelancer

Graphic Design

Design promotional posters, flyers, and visual identities for SF electronic music promoters and DJs, including Mach8 and 4Prod, with work distributed across Instagram and event materials.

2022

University Graphic Systems

Marketing Intern

Created marketing collateral, cards, and stickers using Adobe Illustrator, laser die-cutters, and laser label finishing systems. Assisted with a screen-printing event for custom t-shirts.

University Graphic Systems

Marketing Intern

Created marketing collateral, cards, and stickers using Adobe Illustrator, laser die-cutters, and laser label finishing systems. Assisted with a screen-printing event for custom t-shirts.

2019 – 2021

Seagate Technologies

Design & Comms Intern

Supported internal marketing and communications for a global sales organization of hundreds, built an automated SharePoint notification system that eliminated manual workflows, and collaborated with global stakeholders to deliver a gamified sales training experience.

Seagate Technologies

Design & Comms Intern

Supported internal marketing and communications for a global sales organization of hundreds, built an automated SharePoint notification system that eliminated manual workflows, and collaborated with global stakeholders to deliver a gamified sales training experience.

Who I've Worked With

Recognition

2024

Pac Global x Kellogg's Competition

Cal Poly Representative

National packaging design competition; Selected as Cal Poly representative amongst 8 groups; competed as part of Cal Poly's team with an accessible Pringles redesign incorporating NaviLens technology for low-vision users.