Emily Rose Litten
Industrial Designer / 3D Visual Designer
Chicago, IL
Q What do you do?
“I bring ideas to reality.”
From concept to sketch to 3d model to prototype to manufacturing to visualization... it’s a broad range of skillsets, but ultimately, I work through whatever process it takes to realize the idea at hand.
I also love to make quilts. If I’m prompted to design something – anything! - I’m ready.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I moved to Chicago to study photography, but I took an industrial design course along the way, and I was hooked. Studying industrial design, I saw that I would have an open-ended kind of exploration that I wasn’t seeing in other fields of study. Creating with all kinds of materials? 2D AND 3D skills? Digital, physical, tactile, virtual…. all varieties of elements and approaches exist in the world of design, and I love the ability to change up the materials, processes, ideas, and relationships that can exist depending on the project at hand.
I’ve been exploring various facets of design ever since that first industrial design course – through many internships and job types, I’ve had a broad range of opportunities that have taught me a lot about being a designer. Now coupled with my design career, I’ve even come full circle from my original design studies, as I now teach a Design Drawing course at the University I started at.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I’m capable of exploring and executing broadly. My curiosity allows me to travel between art & design, or to create somewhere in between.
I also feel that I have been able to develop an authentic style which is increasingly valuable with just how saturated the field of design is becoming.
Q What are you working on right now?
Improv quilting! Improv has been an exciting approach to creating for me – it’s inspiring a lot of ideas that I can tell will impact my style and approach to all kinds of projects, even ones outside of a fabric quilt.
Q What’s your style?
I tend to hear that my work is “poetic.”
My style is very responsive to the task or inspiration at hand. I like to discover what it is that I’m responding to at the start of the project and let the project embody that source of information. This means my style is flexible, but I know that in some way my brain/hand is always apparent in the end. I like to draw a line between the starting point and the end product that creates a cohesive story for the design.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
3d visualization. I’d love to spend more time exploring 3d renderings and animation, but I spend so much time on my computer already, so I must take care of my mind and body by switching to a non-virtual task outside of my necessary computer-oriented work time each day.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
At the bottom of my to-do list is a massive collection of ideas. I’ve been eager to develop some projects of my own, but with work + teaching + life things, I haven’t been able to carve out as much space for my own ideas as I’d like. This happens and always comes in waves, but I can’t deny some frustration towards it!
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Oh my, start up some social media, please! Right now, I have an instagram that I use more like a personal photo album. I’m ok with my creative work having a life of its own outside of social media, but I also understand that the power of social media could propel creative opportunities further. Help!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
During my intro to design, I’d say don’t be too concerned by any style or trend you encounter. Enjoy them for what they are, and then keep creating. Following your own instincts and inclinations will allow you to develop your own voice, which becomes a style – ultimately a more authentic, unique style.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Skillshare! I want to sit down with a tool or skill and just observe and discuss the process together. That’s the way I most effectively and enjoyably learn new skills. One skill I have in mind is an alternate 3D rendering tool, such as Blender or Cinema 4D.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I love to create 3D objects for all kinds of spaces, especially home goods or any product that might associate with plants or wildlife. Need that product rendered? I can create that as well.
I’d really love to create more renderings for use as artwork. I’ve done this for musicians, presentation slides, animations, and more applications. Looking for some interesting, abstract 3D renderings? Let’s go!
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
If there’s an opportunity to be playful or experimental, that’s perfect. Anything that dabbles in both art and design, or blurs those lines, really excites me. In that case, I ask for a lot of trust, but I always deliver.
Collaborations are also exciting to me. What a great way to expand our networks. I’d love to get to know each other and grow our portfolios by creating together!
Q What is your rate?
Email me to find out!
For some project types, I’d be open to an idea of sliding scale pay or even skill trading. This would be the case for smaller, more unique projects.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Email me!
Tell me something about what you’re looking for, feel free to pitch your budget, and maybe include a link to some inspiration or something that tells me a little about yourself or your needs.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
TJ O’Keefe is a great teacher and designer.
Look at this beautiful video he created about A Simple Guide to Making
If you need some sounds created for a project or just some tunes to work to, my partner Will Wisniewski has got the goods
I am endlessly inspired by the work of Zach Lieberman
Thanks to Ash Dye for my great portrait & all of her beautiful photos
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
How can I not? It is who I am. When I have an idea, I follow it.
This member profile was originally published in March 2023