Erika Brask is an award-winning Creative Director whose diverse career encompasses design, leadership, and creative vision. Working for small businesses to Fortune 500 brands; art and cultural institutions to entrepreneurial startups, she is thoughtful in allowing the medium to inform the expression. Erika's role spans across agencies and independent work, where she bridges traditional design with strategic digital solutions, driving immersive creative experiences.
A designer, first and foremost, Erika is trained to meet complex challenges with clear resolutions, strategize intricate brand puzzles, and tell beautiful, engaging stories. Knowledge and understanding are her specialties, and she remains a curious student of business, branding, technology, and communication.
Clients and teams consistently tell Erika that she “gets it.” What’s better than that? If you’re looking for fresh ideas, contact her to see how she can help tell your next story.
Areas of Expertise
Creative Direction
Leadership
Strategy
Ideas
Design
Branding
Packaging
Web Design
Social Media
Content Creation
Advertising
Shopper Experience
Retail
Museum
Books
Professional Experience
Creative Director + Designer
Wonderfull Design Co.
Self-employed/freelance
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 2015 – Present
Successfully launched new brands through strategic, integrated campaigns
Elevated the arts through award-winning publication and exhibition design
Created original social media content
Leveraged trends to increase social shopping integration
Resourceful, working manager involved in end-to-end initiatives
Creative Director
TBWA\ integer
Denver, Colorado
February 2010 – June 2015
Increased e-commerce sales by 85% for BISSELL Floorcare through new campaigns
Directed communication strategies for major CPG brands to influence sales
Launched award-winning My Black is Beautiful and Everyday Heroes; promotional partnerships between P&G and Dollar General
Developed highly effective creative teams
(Now they’re my references)
Creative Director + Designer
Freelance
Denver, Colorado
December 2006 – February 2010
Created a new winery brand in Sonoma, California
Branded and consulted on the user interface for the successful launch of a gift registry app
Gained a small following as a mom blogger and photographer
Creative Director
TBWA\ integer
Des Moines, Iowa
June 2002 – December 2006
Established broad communication strategies for major appliance brands to influence and increase sales while saving costs
Directed influential branding and promotional initiatives for Ethanol, including the design of an Indy Racing League racecar for Rahal Letterman Racing, and a gas rollback promotion at 7Eleven
Strategized and authored several high-profile brand style guides that unified internal and external teams
Launched innovative packaging designs for Hoover Vacuums
Pre-2000
Art Director and Graphic Designer
Connie Wilson Design
Des Moines, Iowa
October 1998 – June 2002
Concentration on gallery and museum graphics as well as work for non-profit and cultural organizations.
Senior Designer
Bagby + Company, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
June 1997 – September 1998
Senior designer with a focus on publication design. Clients included McDonald's, Zenith, Dean's Foods, as well as non-profit work for museums.
Graphic Designer
Pattee Design
Des Moines, Iowa
May 1996 – June 1997
Junior designer who assisted on a variety of projects from catalogs and annual reports to publications and branding.
Professional Internships
Des Moines, Iowa
Think Corporation
January 1995 – May 1996
Conyers Design
January – June 1994
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Instructor
Colorado Technical University
Westminster, Colorado
June 2007 – 2009
Instructor for graphic design majors enrolled in an Associate’s Degree program. Courses taught: Graphic Design I, Adobe InDesign, Desktop Publishing, and Design Fundamentals. Responsible for building my own curriculum based on resources provided, grading, and student engagement.
Adjunct Instructor
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa
January 1999 – May 2002
Instructor for graphic design majors enrolled in Bachelor's Degree programs. Courses taught: Typography I and II and Senior Portfolio. Responsible for building my own curriculum based on resources provided, grading, student engagement, and classroom critiques.
Education
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Major: Graphic Design
Minor: Drawing
Concentration in Journalism
Graduated May 1996
Brands and Clients:
American Energy Society
Anderson Gallery at Drake University
BISSELL Floorcare
Center for Art in Wood
Computer History Museum
CraftNOW Philadelphia
Des Moines Art Center
Drake University
Dremel
Electrolux
Emil Milan Research Project
Ethanol
Faulconer Gallery at Grinnell College
Gioia
Grinnell College Center for Prairie Studies
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
Rita Henry, Intuitive Counselor
Limitlessly
Mars — m&ms
McDonald's
Maytag Corporation — Amana, Maytag, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, and Hoover
Modernism Museum of Mount Dora
Moen
Proctor & Gamble — Tide, Downy, Gain, Cascade, Dawn, Swiffer, Febreze, Dollar General and Kroger customer teams
Rose Collective
Salon Cosabella