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ERIKA
McWHINNIE
CREATIVE LEAD
17+ years dedicated to experiential enhancement via design.
WE > ME
CURIOUS.
INSTINCTUAL.
CONNECTED.
shaped by a multicultural upbringing as the daughter of a Filipino mother and an American father, on the Northside of Chicago, i grew up navigating different ways of seeing and understanding the world. this sparked my insatiable curiosity and deep commitment to human connection—which i seamlessly integrate with a rare intellectual approach where my brain "titrates emotions with equal parts logic". i tend to ask sharp questions, listen with more than my ears, and make people feel both seen and at ease.
my mix of empathy and analysis allow me to transform complexity into clarity. with a designer’s instinct, i blend data with sensory detail to craft stories and experiences that resonate on both intellectual and emotional levels.
driven by growth and positive impact, i seek out innovative projects and collaborative spaces. i naturally elevate everything i touch while fostering environments where creativity and people flourish together.












Projects
EXPLORE projects showcasing creativity, innovation,
+ impactful design solutions.
Services
DISCOVER tailored services designed to elevate your brand,
+ enhance user experience.


CREATIVE
LEAD
Directing impactful experiences that drive growth and success.
Creative Vision
Strategy + Initiatives
Fostering Innovation
Value Consistency
UX / UI
Design
User experience through intuitive + user-centered design solutions.
User Research
Usability Testing
Wireframing
UI/UX Audits




STRATEGIC
STORYTELLING
Crafting narratives that engage emotions and drive solutions.
Context Strategy
Touchpoint Application
Story Development
Testing + Iterating
What
THEY Say
SEE what teammates say about working with me.
A Trusted Creative Partner Who Turns Ideas Into Impact.
I had the pleasure of working with Erika on my innovation project, and her contributions were invaluable... She has an incredible ability to take overly complex, text-heavy drafts and distill them into clear, impactful stories (visually and through copy). Collaborating with Erika was effortless; she listened carefully, quickly grasped the goal or concept, and would deliver a near-perfect deck every time.
Beyond her skill, she brought warmth, creativity, and a spirit of partnership that made the entire process not just seamless, but enjoyable. Erika is truly a gifted designer and storyteller who elevates every project she touches.
Rockstar Creative With Excellent UI/UX Skills.
A True Team Player!
Really helpful in helping build up our messaging/
storytelling strategy as we launched our business off the ground.
What particularly impressed me about Erika was her ability to roll up her sleeves and get work done outside of her day to day scope - she wasn't afraid to get stuck in to whatever task to help move the business forward!
Exceptional Design Skills! Blending Innovation With Practical Implementation.
Her ability to translate conceptual ideas into tangible assets played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic and functional aspects of our products.
Erika's commitment extended beyond the confines of the design studio. She was actively involved in live installations, capturing critical moments through photography, and directly engaging with customers to gather insightful feedback. Her proactive approach and dedication to understanding user interactions have been invaluable.
Dependable, Thorough, Thoughtful + Witty!
She has a keen eye and makes the big decisions and little details look just right.
She's a strong contributor, great teammate, knows the UX process, has a curious and thoughtful design-mind, and kept us on track for success!
Inspires Creativity,
Unique Problem-Solving,
+ Storytelling Strength.
I have never worked with anyone that has inspired my creativity as much as Erika. She brings a unique lens when looking at any design problem and has the ability to break it down and extract something unique from it. She is a story teller. She has a way of connecting with anyone she meets on a deep and meaningful level.
Erika is a highly skilled, dependable and imaginative artist, but most importantly an amazing human.
Natural Intuition + Sensibility.
Unwavering Standards.
Erika is truly a multi-talented and gifted being. She comes with a natural intuition and sensibility that can neither be learned nor taught. Coupled with her relentless work ethic, she is a calm force to be reckoned with.
Erika has a clear vision and unwavering standards that set her in a top tier of individuals in the design industry. She constantly draws and generously shares inspiration. I have recommended Erika for special projects in the past, and will continue to proudly do so.