about me

Hi :) I’m Erin, a Two-Spirit Graphic Designer and Social Media Manager based in Portland, Oregon, where I work with the largest nonprofit serving the LGBTQ+ community in the area. At my current role I center identity, culture, and community in everything I create.

I am Native American from the Tohono O’odham and Hopi tribes of southern Arizona. My early life was shaped by displacement. I entered foster care at the age of three and was later adopted at seven. These experiences gave me a firsthand understanding of the realities faced by many Native people who have been failed by government systems and separated from their families. Reconnecting with my family, reclaiming my identity, and learning the culture and practices of my people has been a long hard, and meaningful journey.

My professional path began in mechanical engineering (I still love calculus!), but I found my true passion in graphic design. From an interactive art residency at The Laboratory in Spokane Washington to leading design at The Woodshop Marketing Agency, I’ve created logos, brand identities, ad campaigns, and even directed a 60+ page cookbook. I’ve managed 400+ print ads, collaborated with 40+ brands, and illustrated for 30+ campaigns.

Currently, I’m working on a passion project with Lez Out, a quarterly lesbian party in Portland. Our team of seven is dedicated to creating an inclusive space where lesbians can feel seen, celebrated, and free in a space built for them, by them. I serve as the Social Media Manager, developing video and static content to grow our audience, promote events, and share the mission of our community.

    • Digital storytelling across video, photography, graphics, and written content

    • Short-form and long-form content creation

    • Social media content strategy and campaign execution

    • Community-centered storytelling

    • Video production and editing

    • Photography and visual composition

    • Graphic design for digital platforms

    • Digital asset management and organization

    • Proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Creative Suite

    • Strategic content development for engagement and fundraising

    • Website and email content creation

    • Analytics-informed content optimization

    • Cross-platform content adaptation

    • Cross-departmental collaboration

    • Implemented project management software to manage multiple projects and share progress with teams and departments

    • Clear written and verbal communication

    • Leadership experience, including coordinating and directing video shoots and managing creative teams

    • Culturally responsive storytelling

    • Experience working with equity-focused, community-based organizations

    • Respectful representation of marginalized and Indigenous communities, with an understanding of issues surrounding the urban Indian experience.

  • The Woodshop // 2021-Present

    • Spearheaded the design direction for a wide range of projects within the marketing agency, overseeing the creation of captivating visual content for diverse clients and industries.

    • Collaborated closely with account managers and clients to understand project objectives, target audience demographics, and brand guidelines, ensuring designs effectively communicated the desired message and met business goals.

    • Led a team, providing mentorship, feedback, and guidance to foster creativity, skill development, and collaboration.

    • Conceptualized and executed dynamic designs for print materials, including brochures, posters, business cards, direct mail campaigns, and more, consistently delivering high-quality results that exceeded client expectations.

    • Produced engaging social media graphics, advertisements, and animated content optimized for various platforms, driving user engagement and brand awareness. 

    • Managed multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced agency environment while maintaining attention to detail and creative excellence.

    • Presented design concepts to clients and internal stakeholders, incorporating feedback and revisions to achieve final approval and successful project outcomes.

  • Cascade AIDS Project // 2024-Present

    • Developed and executed digital storytelling across video, photography, written, and graphic content to elevate community voices and organizational impact.

    • Collaborated closely with Development, Community Engagement, Events, and Communications teams to ideate, plan, and produce mission-aligned content across platforms.

    • Lead the creation of story-based content by conducting interviews with clients, staff, and community members, ensuring ethical, respectful, and culturally responsive representation.

    • Produced and edited video content for digital platforms using Adobe Premiere Pro, with a strong focus on accessibility standards including captions, contrast, and readability.

    • Created multimedia content for websites, blogs, email campaigns, advertising, and social media, ensuring consistency in brand voice and visual identity.

    • Managed content calendars and editorial strategies to support communications, engagement, and fundraising goals across multiple channels.

    • Attend and document events to provide real-time and post-event coverage, increasing visibility, engagement, and community participation.

    • Coordinated with departments across the organization to develop tailored content plans for individual social media accounts and initiatives.

    • Implement research-driven content strategies informed by trends, audience insights, and platform analytics.

    • Manage and execute email marketing campaigns, including donor outreach and internal communications.

    • Supported print and digital design needs, including posters, flyers, and outreach materials for events and programs.

    • Coordinated video shoots by developing scripts, framing shots, and leading pre- and post-production planning.

    • Act as a liaison between leadership and target audiences, offering insight into community needs, interests, and effective messaging strategies.cription

  • Eastern Washington University // 2015-2020

    • Bachelor of Visual Communication & Design

    Coursera // 2022

    • Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design

  • Spokane American Advertising Awards // 2023-2025

    • 2 Bronze

    • 2 Silver

    • 3 Gold

    • 2 Best of Division