ABOUT
I’m often told my work is sensitive. I’ve used my art as an emotional vessel to express myself in the way a piece of writing or code couldn’t. My work sits at the intersection of sincerity and satire, where personal vulnerability collides with cultural critique. Drawing from punk, emo, girly or glitchy underground aesthetics, I reimagine graphic design not only as a vehicle for branding but also as a medium for confession, confrontation, and play.
By fusing digital glitch, gothic iconography, painterly distortion, and absurdist humor, I aim to create a body of work that feels both familiar and alien. These designs are not purely aesthetic objects; they are confessions dressed as advertisements, vulnerabilities disguised as flyers. As a graphic designer born and raised in The Bronx, I would say I lend inspiration from reclaiming visual culture from its polished, exclusionary forms and using it to express the messiness of being human.
Athena Bustos is a graphic designer based in New York. She recently completed her BFA in Design at the School of Visual Arts. In her free time, she enjoys going to see stand up comedy, watching UFC reels, and catching up with her friends over tea lattes.
For any inquiries or dream projects, say hi at athenabustos@gmail.com
What I’m currently listening to ⋆｡°🎧ྀི.⊹₊ ⋆….