Erin Kathleen Cherry
Erin Kathleen Cherry
Creative Director at The Overgrowth
Santa Barbara, CA
www.theovergrowth.co
instagram @theovergrowth
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“Consider me a creative jill-of-all-trades! ”
I help brands achieve the aesthetic that they want through delicate, elegant, and sustainable design and creative guidance. I create attentive and malleable print & digital design for small businesses.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I spent a rigorous four years at UCLA's renowned design program and also studied at the California College of the Arts. Despite this, I'm a self-taught aesthete— since the age of 12, I've been centering my life around thoughtful design and editorial curation.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
A lot of designers are all over the place, working for a wide variety of clients and are ultimately inconsistent in color palette, brand, and aesthetic. I value consistency and uniformity in my work, and have made an effort to focus on those things.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I recently landed a job with a really sweet and really rad children's boutique that makes bespoke baby goods. I'm so excited to incorporate pops of color and playful elegance into their brand.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I'm extremely inspired by the ever-changing natural landscape of my home, the California coast, and by Ellsworth Kelly's botanical illustrations. Both things represent overgrown delicacy— this intricate balance of soft, delicate lines and wild, unfettered sensibilities that I really strive for. Think of me as the "fine dining" of digital design!
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I'd really love to do more packaging design. I think good print and physical, tangible items are more important than ever in our digital age. I'd love to help brands bring their products to life with tangible, beautiful design.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Self-promotion can be pretty tough, especially in such a saturated market. I need to make a concerted effort to run more ads, and gain more exposure! Living as an artist in an artistic community can be lovely, but sometimes it's hard to get *out* of the world of artists and into the world of paying clients.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Most of my color palettes and style guides are directly inspired from natural collections of objects that I've cultivated (seashells, beautiful rocks, etc). Having an assistant to photograph these objects and assemble color palettes for me to design with would be a huge time-saver!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I would have told myself to never stop creating, even in the lulls of life. It's easy to find oneself in a creative lull, but I'd advise myself to document that lull in any way that comes, no matter the medium. Don't do nothing—don't let too many days slip by without making some type of art.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would be immensely honored (and giddy!) to talk to an established textile designer and to learn more about how to incorporate beautiful design, illustration, and color palettes into materials and fabrics.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I respect the drive, hustle, and vision of small businesses, so I'd love to help some really come to life with strong and beautiful design. My favorite projects to work on are full branding suites, where a brand trusts me to bring their creative vision or product to life across all web and print platforms.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Clients who know what they want and have a solid vision always make my heart sing. I'd love to work with a new bar, restaurant, or food-based company that has a clear vision for their future and a desire to create something timeless and elegant alongside me.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
I work with any and all budgets. I understand the budgetary limits of brand new businesses, because I've been there myself (haven't we all?). I like to give clients a range of budgets to choose from, and then we'll go from there. Since my service packages range from a simple logo to a complete overhaul of a brand's image, it's hard to put a price tag on my work.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Knowing your budget, preferred time frame, and the scope of your project from the get-go is tremendously helpful. Also, let me know a few of your favorite artists—or just your favorite people! Knowing your personal aesthetic and tastes really helps me create something that's geared specifically toward your brand. Contact me through the form on my website, or directly at hello@theovergrowth.co.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Natural light, wild sounds, precious life.
This member profile was originally published in March 2018.