Katie Erickson

These days, influencers are everywhere. We look to them for inspiration, recommendations, and hang on every word they say. The idea behind an influencer hasn’t changed, the person has. But when it comes to inspiring a group of people, making engaging content, or gaining hundreds of new followers every year — no one is more of an influencer than a teacher.

With one in three kids under the age of 18 wanting to be a content creator, we developed a campaign that helps re-contextualize teaching for the next generation of job-seekers. We created a digital, social-centric campaign that highlights the fun, engaging, and influential nature of a job as a teacher.

In 2015, Google announced that it would invest $600 million to locate a massive data center — one of only 14 in the world at that time — to Jackson County, Alabama. Since then, Big has helped Google develop relationships, increase brand affinity, and highlight its impact in the state of Alabama.

As explained in our newest work with the global brand, Google’s data center in Jackson County has made a major impact on the state of Alabama. But the $600 million initial investment was only the beginning of the story. They’ve since contributed more than $1 billion to the state economy, supported thousands of jobs, provided millions of dollars in grants to local charities and nonprofits, and connected hundreds of thousands of customers to local businesses.

While working with the Amazon Private Brands Mama Bear team, I was able to bring my watercolor illustration expertise to their new product packaging. I individually painted each design element seen on the packaging then arranged the illustrations into patterns for the carton. This was the first time in my professional design career that I was able to combine my design expertise with my watercolor talents. To add to the excitement of this project, I was also living on the road in my teardrop camper working remotely as a contract designer for Amazon, so these illustrations were painted in the Redwood Forest in Northern California. (See BTS photo)

Main title typography created for Butterfly in the Sky documentary. The movie takes you back to the formative years of life when watching Reading Rainbow in class was always a treat. This typeface has flourishes that almost exactly reflect the proboscis of a butterfly, so it was perfect.

The film was selected to play at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival as well as the 24th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, AL.

Created in collaboration with Ali Clark for Butterfly in the Sky documentary.
Illustrations by Adamastor.

In a world saturated with retail advertising, we wanted to position Bayer Properties as an inspiring place to come shop. This campaign not only is a call to action to visit your favorite clothing shops in-person, but also a mantra to influence your life. We want shoppers to feel confident and be themselves!

Photography captured for lyric booklet for St. Paul & The Broken Bone’s latest album, Angels in Science Fiction. Imagery was curated around man-made structures overtaken by nature around the Birmingham, Alabama area. Album design and layout design by Aaron Gresham.

Amazon Aware is an Amazon Private Brand that is focused on its Climate Pledge Friendly products. In creating this line of bamboo paper products, Amazon wanted to provide the customer with a beautifully sustainable product they would be proud to display in their home.

In working on this project, I learned about sustainable practices on a global, corporate level. Additionally, I collaborated with Amazon’s Workroom team to create Computer Generated 3D Imagery for the Amazon product detail page in order to enhance the customer experience and bring the product to life.

Shop Amazon Aware bamboo products here.

Google Fiber Small Business campaign client spec work/initial concepts.

Work in an internet world.

Where you work. How you work. What you work on. They all have one thing in common. Internet. Today’s working world requires access to fast, reliable, fairly priced internet. For video calling, emailing, streaming, chatting, searching, sharing, downloading, uploading, working in an internet world — there’s Google Fiber.

UAB Callahan Eye is home to the country’s foremost experts in the treatment and cure of eye disease and trauma. Only the new generation of medical decision-makers didn’t know it. Intent on improving optics, we created a dynamic color and shape system inspired by UAB Callahan Eye’s history and association within the fine arts community. Utilizing vibrant light and spectral tones, we captured surreal photography highlighting the hospital’s focus on speciality care and innovation. This built the foundation to deliver a variety of messages positioning UAB Callahan Eye at the forefront of ophthalmology. The end result is a visually captivating campaign that reintroduced UAB Callahan Eye as a national leader in sight.

Visit the UAB Callahan Eye landing page here.

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Additional Credits:
Agency: Big Communications
Creative Director: Shannon Harris
Executive Creative Director: Aaron Gresham
CD/Director/Editor: Ali Clark
Producer: Kristin Dober
Copywriter: John Kennedy
Senior Art Director: Katie Erickson
Art Director: Evan Bates
Photographer: ELEY Photo

Trying to visualize something that’s invisible is a complex task. We were asked by Google Fiber to visualize internet speeds, whole home wifi coverage, and bandwidth. We did this by sketching multiple rounds of conceptual sketching, thinking of relatable situations that help visualize how our internet works at home or in our office spaces. After finalizing the concepts, we collaborated with illustrator Beth Goody to execute on our ideas, and bring them to life in her own style.

With alcohol delivery being newly legal in the state of Alabama, Birmingham needed a delivery brand that stood out as a local alternative amongst existing national competitors. With BUZD, you can receive alcohol, Alabama grown cannabis products, wine & spirits and more! After coming up with the name BUZD, we knew the bee/location pin icon would perfectly represent the brand’s quick-response delivery system. Let’s get BUZD!

Freelance project created alongside copywriter John Kennedy.

Helping Google Fiber make better connections.

Since 2010, Google Fiber has worked to help all communities—big, small, urban, rural, and everywhere in between—get access to internet that’s fast, reliable, fairly-priced, and open. Nineteen cities later, Google Fiber needed exciting new ways to deliver that message. We amplified their mission by simplifying their brand. Through an evolving approach, we brought the same energy and life to the work that Google Fiber internet brings to your home. Because better internet means a better whole-home experience—we just helped make the connection.

Collaborating with the Google Fiber team has been the highlight of my career thus far. We continue to build off of the existing energy that the Google brand has already created, while maintaining a unique experience for Google Fiber customers.

Client: Google Fiber

Additional Credits:
Executive Creative Director: Aaron Gresham
Art Director: Katie Erickson
Copywriter: John S. Kennedy
Senior Editor/Animator: Ali Clark
Photographer: Rob Culpepper
Cinematographer: Caleb Zorn
Motion Content Producer: Kristin Dober
Prop Stylist: Katherine Tucker
Prop Stylist: List Easterling
Lighting/Grip: Alabama Grip Co.

Additional Credits:
Illustrations: Fran Labuschagne
Creative Director: Shannon Harris
Art Direction: Katie Erickson
Copywriter: John S. Kennedy
Senior Video Editor: Ali Clark

For years, the residents of Cullman saw Cullman Regional Medical Center as a small, rural hospital, which led them to larger markets for specialized care. They were the underdogs competing with some of Alabama’s most reputable medical institutions. But the reality is that Cullman Regional Medical Center has invested millions in expanding their facilities, updating their technological capabilities, and adding world-class physicians to their team — helping people get better by getting better every day.
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Additional Credits:
Creative Director: Shannon Harris
Creative Director: Mike Heid
CD/Director/Editor: Brian Curtain
Director of Photography: Caleb Zorn
Producer: Kristin Dober
Copywriter: John Kennedy
Art Director: Katie Erickson
Photographer: Nick Collura
1st AC: Mattews Di Nelson
2nd AC / DIT: Daniel Lawson
Steadicam: Michael Floam
Gaffer: Jon Champion
Grips: Blake Raymond, Karli Tickell, Erik Loveland
G&E: Champion Lighting & Grip
Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee Monteil
Wardrobe Stylist: Hannah Riley
Hair & Makeup: Celine Russell, Abby Moorer

Every year, downtown Birmingham welcomes the Sidewalk Film Festival, which for film experts, is the highlight of the summer. The festival showcases over 150 films across 10 different theaters during the week-long festival. This years festival theme “Craft in Motion” was inspired by all of the creative hands involved in filmmaking. In order to bring the credits to the forefront of of the films, we utilized the long credits list as a design element within all assets to promote the festival.

PUPPETS! Every year, Sidewalk Film Festival needs a creative sponsor trailer video to open up each film. This year’s trailer will harness the power of humor to recognize the confusion, myths, and emotions centered around film — and all the hands that go into making them. These videos feature four distinct puppet characters: Nervous, Wild, Curious and Know-it-all.

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Additional Credits
CD/Director/Editor: Ali Clark
Director of Photography: Caleb Zorn
Producer: Kristin Dober
Senior Copywriter: John Kennedy
Copywriter: Terry Turner
Senior Art Director & Main Title Typography: Katie Erickson
Props: Lisa Easterling
Lighting: Alabama Grip Co.
Sound: Boutwell Studios

Keep scrolling for some BTS!

Pelham, Alabama rebrand project 2021.

The Ask:
Design an iconic brand for Pelham that excites residents and attracts outsiders, raises awareness and consideration among audience segments, and sets Pelham apart from nearby and regional alternatives.

Beyond a logo:
The logo is symbolic of the Double Oak Mountain + Little Oak ridge and Buck Creek that flows between these two landmarks. The fluidity of the mark is representative of the laid-back nature and lifestyle found in Pelham.

Brand story:
What is authenticity?
It’s what sets you apart.
What makes you different, distinguished, unique.
It’s more than the choices you make,
It’s the path you take.

Where education isn’t just community-focused, it’s community-inspired. Recreation is a mix of indoor and outdoor opportunities, And support is given to both large and local businesses.

It’s the path you take in Pelham — unrivaled in its offerings, unmatched in its affordability, and unparalleled in its progress — a path apart.

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Additional Credits:
Executive Creative Director: Aaron Gresham
Creative Director: Shannon Harris
Art Direction: Katie Erickson
Copywriter: John S. Kennedy
Senior Video Editor: Ali Clark

Bayer Properties owns a variety of outdoor shopping centers that bring joy to millions of people’s lives. That’s especially true during the holidays. So when 2020 tried to take the magic away, we brought it back. Utilizing illustration, poetry, animation, and our vivid imaginations—we created a campaign complete with the magic and wonder only Bayer can provide.

Additional Credits:
Illustrations: Fran Labuschagne
Creative Director: Shannon Harris
Art Direction: Katie Erickson
Copywriter: John S. Kennedy
Senior Video Editor: Ali Clark

Corporate responsibility has never been more important. Due to the public health emergency and shelter-in-place orders resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, DoorDash’s last-mile logistics platform became an essential service, facilitating deliveries of meals and providing a lifeline for restaurants. The DoorDash team wanted to build awareness and expand the reach of the many programs and initiatives serving customers, restaurants and Dashers on the DoorDash platform.

View website here.

Awards:
Silver Addy — Consumer Website

Credits:
Executive Creative Director:
Aaron Gresham
Developer: Dan Gavin
Copywriter: Jeremy Burgess
Art Direction: Katie Erickson

Launched in February 2020, the Apple-backed Ed Farm provides technical and coding education for Birmingham’s most disadvantaged students. Big not only created the Ed Farm brand — with visually appealing three-dimensional iconography and vibrant gradients embodying transition and change — but also planned and executed an event featuring Apple CEO Tim Cook to publicly launch it in a way that earned media attention, excited the community, and embraced the future of technology throughout Birmingham.

edfarm.org

Awards:
Gold Addy — Augmented Reality
Gold Addy — Poster Campaign
Gold Addy — Consumer Website
Gold Addy — Special Event Material
Silver Addy — Art Direction Campaign

Additional Credits:
Executive Creative Director:
Aaron Gresham
Creative Director: Shannon Harris
Designer & Photographer: Katie Erickson
Copywriter: John S. Kennedy
Senior Editor: Will Nash
Developer: Dan Gavin

The Apex Project is a capacity-building initiative focused on creating stronger, more resilient, and more community engaged higher education partners. The visual language throughout this site is inspired by scientific imagery, pop tones of textured paper, and educational text book layouts. Abstract collages were used as a design device to visualize complex ideas in a compelling way to drive the viewer through the site.

View website to interact with parallax scrolling: apex-project.org

Additional Credits:
Executive Creative Director: Aaron Gresham
Art Director: Katie Erickson
Digital Director: Robert Brodrecht
Account Executive: Taylor Idol

Big Communications

Crop insurance agency based out of Yazoo City, Mississippi. This mark is inspired by the repetition of rows of crops, stalks of corn, and the patterns these agricultural icons create. The perspective of the double “E” within the mark represents the cyclical nature of annual crop rotations.

Why do people need a cannabis delivery service? It’s not just convenient. It’s one less thing they have to worry about. This name utilizes our service offerings while also embodying a relaxing mentality.

Conceptual naming & branding project. Personal work in collaboration with John Kennedy.

Posters designed and printed during my Spring 2019 Hatch Show Print internship in Nashville, Tennessee.