Home - erin leigh

ABOUT ME

WHO AM I?

As a RISD graduate, I began my professional career focusing on capturing the essence of clients' experiences through my lens. Time and time again, I would find myself working in collaborative environments with other artists who needed business guidance. Being passionate about storytelling, I wanted to help others identify their artistic voice and tell their own story. Throughout the years, my skills and areas of expertise have helped countless small business owners create meaningful encounters with their services and products that create lasting impressions.

Today, I strive to create seamless brand experiences and design intuitive user interfaces as I continue to explore the intersectionality of my skills in business, marketing and the creative arts.

Beyond a professional creative businesswoman, I am a mother, a daughter, and sister. I have lived a full and beautiful life in Southern California for over 15 years and currently raising my son in my hometown, a small island community on the shores of Lake Erie.

IMPORTANT STRENGTHS

Because no one is perfect and there is always room for improvement...

GRAPHIC DESIGN

70%

PHOTOSHOP

85%

HTML, JAVASCRIPT, CSS

60%

PROBLEM SOLVING

90%

COMMUNICATION

80%

CRITICAL THINKING

95%

EDUCATION

2000-2004

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN

PHOTOGRAPHY

Bachelor of Fine Arts

2020

UC SAN DIEGO

HUMAN RESOURCES

Human Resource Management Certificate

2023

CAL ARTS

UX/UI DESIGN

UX/UI Design Certificate

EXPERIENCE

2000-2023

GEM BEACH MARINA

SENIOR DESIGNER

Perform research and analyze data in order to execute functional products and services including management software, business practices and workflows. Designed website, print materials, logos, and mobile apps.

2018-2021

ERIN RIVERA MERRIMAN

BUSINESS MANAGER

Advised artist on personal and business affairs. Oversee day-to-day business matters including bookkeeping, maintaining calendar and scheduling, and project management.

2010-2018

VIERA PHOTOGRAPHICS

STUDIO MANAGER

Handle day-to-day activities such as answering client and vendor emails, booking and hiring photographers, and maintaining client lead management system as well as responsible for more in-depth business affairs such as sales tax reporting, filing tax returns, preparing 1099s, administering payroll.

2008-2010

SHOOTDOTEDIT

LEAD EDITOR

Review and cull photos, color correction, and retouching images while overseeing a team of editors and maintaining quality control.

2006-2008

SAFARI COFFEE

ASSISTANT MANAGER

Schedule employees, order inventory, receive inventory, train new employees, run bank deposits, resolve customer complaints, make quality specialty beverages, work cash register, cleaning, stocking, greeting customers.

2004-2006

JAVA KAI

SHIFT SUPERVISOR

Make quality specialty beverages, work cash register, cleaning, stocking, greeting customers, oversee employees during shift.

2002-2004

TRISH GILMORE PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT

Carry and setup equipment, anticipate photographer’s needs, photograph ancillary subject matter.

2000-2004

BETH LUDWIG PHOTOGRAPHY

STUDIO MANAGER

Carry and setup equipment, anticipate photographer’s needs, photograph ancillary subject matter, organize negatives, darkroom photographic printing, album design, answer phone calls and maintain client files.

WHAT I DO

BRAND DEVELOPMENT

More than logo design or a website, I help clients identify the visual impact of their brand. Understanding their purpose and mission to tell the story of their brand to their target audience.

• Business Consulting
• Brand Strategy
• Marketing Campaigns
• Logo Design

CREATIVE DIRECTION

Finding the best way to tell a client's story can change the way consumers engage with brands. Through careful collaboration, I help businesses create meaningful visual imagery.

• Art Direction
• Photography
• Web Design
• Print Design

EXPERIENCE DESIGN

I help clients create products and service that give their client's unique experiences to help their brand gain consumer trust and loyalty.

• User Experience Design
• Service Design
• Product Strategy
• Wireframing & Prototyping
• Research & Data Analysis