Meet Sarah Erickson | Brand Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Erickson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Well, I was never very good at math! Jokes aside, I’ve always loved art and creativity. Even as a kid, I filled sketchbook after sketchbook with doodles… but I had no idea that art could lead to a viable career path. In college, I found Graphic Design and fell in love: as an art form, it felt organized… and yet it held unending creative possibility. That balance between structure and chaos appealed to me, and still keeps me on my toes with every new project. Creativity is a place where my gifts align with my purpose. Every day, I get to do work that nourishes my soul and offers tangible transformation for my clients. It isn’t easy—but it is immensely rewarding.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create brand designs for small businesses and creative professionals. My design work is rooted in intentional strategy: my hope is always to craft a distinctive design that appeals to a specific ideal client. I love collaborating with my clients to learn more about the heart behind their business—to uncover what makes them special, and to help leverage those qualities into a visual design that elevates their brand. I studied Graphic Design in college: I felt confident in the skills I developed through my education, and I carried those skills into working at a small design agency. I certainly didn’t think I’d become an entrepreneur. But it soon became evident that there was a greater possibility for me: as much as I loved my job, it didn’t offer the flexibility and ownership that entrepreneurship could. Starting my own business opened the door for much more creative and financial freedom. Now I’m able to do work that I love in a way that nourishes my creativity, transforms my clients’ brands, and supports my family. Creative entrepreneurship is a continual journey. I am always learning and exploring new ideas—but that’s part of what makes this job interesting and exciting. The most important thing I’ve learned is to just keep creating. It’s the only way forward. It is only by creating that we can hone our craft, refine our skills, and unlock new ideas. I am forever reminded of the quote by Ira Glass: “Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap… It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions.” Creativity is a thing to be nurtured. It deserving of our time and attention. It is a wonderfully difficult and most worthy endeavor.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many great things to do and see in the metroplex! A typical weekend for me would include a classic brunch at Snooze or Breadwinners. Stop in at the Farmers Market for a fun place to browse, or pick up something sweet from Village Baking Co. … and you can’t leave Dallas without trying a Mambo Taxi from Mico. If you don’t mind driving over to Ft. Worth, I highly recommend The Kimbell Art Museum; they always have an incredible exhibit on display. Hop over to The Modern for additional art inspiration and a delicious lunch at their café overlooking the water. Above all other recommendations, my all-time favorite location in the city is… The Dallas Arboretum!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my clients: thank you for entrusting me with your brands and allowing me to be part of your story. It is truly an honor to work together, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with people who continually inspire me. To my fellow creative entrepreneurs: I’m so thankful for our community. Thank you for the encouragement, advice, and friendships that have bettered my business—and bettered me as a person. To my mentors at SMU Temerlin Advertising Institute, Willie and Cheryl: I can never express my gratitude enough. Your expertise and wisdom reach far beyond the classroom. Thank you for guiding me, challenging me, and believing in me—both then and now.

Website: https://sarahanndesign.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahann_design/

Image Credits
Gracie Byrd Jones Photography