-
Hello there, I’m Erika!
My aspirations of a career in art and design were formed at a young age, with many hours spent creating play-doh jewelry for my mom, designing and sewing outfits for my Barbies, and making up stories for my dolls to act out. I also loved performing - acting, singing and dancing. My passion for art - and admiration for those who create it - continues to grow.
I studied Fashion and Retail Management at Columbia College in Chicago, where I discovered the beauty of mixing creativity and art with fashion and retail. In addition to my work experience at Banana Republic and Nike, I gained real-life visual merchandising experience through school courses held at Macy's and the Chicago Cultural Center.
-
My artistic aspirations have continued in performance as well. I enrolled in the beginning improv training program at Second City, which was amazing, scary and the most fun I've ever had. The games and activities we played were often exercises in freeing your mind of hang ups and embarrassment, revealing the power of creativity - and for me, it was an especially enriching experience; I realized how these same principles apply to design.
From combining beautiful (and sometimes ugly) elements with whimsy and fun in my visual display concepts to writing and creating interactive children’s books, I want to continue to push my work in new, surprising directions. Always inspired by my creative idols Jim Henson and Simon Doonan, I value exploration- the art of discovering new ways to create, inspire, teach, and entertain.