Meet Emma Higgins of @emorine.art! | Freelance Designer | How to Pursue a Professional Graphic Design Career
Emma Higgins and I met at FIDM, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, as we embarked upon publishing FIDM Mode Magazine’s 14th issue as editorial board members. FIDM Mode is a publication by students for students at FIDM and is a marketing resource for the school. We gift incoming freshmen and school visitors with the magazine to provide insider insight into the school and its students. It is also a way for students of all majors to network and collaborate.
Emma was our Creative Director and had served on previous issues of the magazine, but her presence in what would later be known as the “CMYK Issue” cannot be understated. Our entire team looked to Emma to keep our ideas rational, fresh, and highly visual; Emma’s innate sense of design hierarchy and organization (among many other gifts) was instrumental in what became the most visually impactful magazine release in a decade of publication at the school. Following the 10th anniversary of Mode, the administrators at the school showcased a collection of consecutive Mode Magazine covers, and ours remains the most vivid, most inclusive, and the most enduring statement as to what is possible by students passionate about fashion and fashion’s possibilities.
Without Emma, our issue would not have been as bold, thought-provoking, or graphic. Our team would simply not have been whole. She consistently added cohesion by uniting every page with the common thread of panels of cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black). She challenged us to refine our conceptual ideas in meetings by reminding us of what we had all previously agreed upon by independently evaluating the rough cuts of ongoing spreads in Adobe InDesign while also studying as a full-time graphic design student. Emma expertly coordinated our team during photoshoots by collaborating and monitoring our production crews. She championed editorial ideas that elevated our resources, like my interview with social media influencer and designer Chiffon Fleur. It’s no wonder that Emma has found such great success as a professional leader working at renowned creative agencies or taking the leap as a productive freelance designer and business owner.
I am thrilled that Emma has found the time in her busy schedule to meet with us and share a wealth of knowledge. Do read on if you’re interested in a career in design or looking to explore professional leadership. Emma is a genuine expert in her field, and I am eternally grateful to know her.
“Hello! My name is Emma Higgins and I am a freelance graphic designer in California.”
Portrait of Emma Higgins, courtesy of the artist.
Tell us more about yourself and your latest endeavours!
@emorine.art: “I’ve worked as a Production Designer in the entertainment industry for over 3 years and have been able to work with various musical artists such as Woosung, Lana Love and more on cover art for their songs. I’ve recently moved onto being a full-time freelancer after having it as a side hustle for about 8 years.”
What are you most grateful for, right now?
@emorine.art: “Right now I’m extremely thankful for the life situation God has given me. I’ve been able to go out on my own, be my own boss, and take better care of myself. I’m so thankful also for my friends and family who have always supported me, and my cat that lets me cuddle her :)”
How did you get your start as a designer?
@emorine.art: “I started while I was still in school getting my AA and BA degrees. I mostly did logos, business cards, and layout design for family and friends until I made more connections with people in the industry. Some of those connections came from portfolio shows, some came from recommendations, and others through word of mouth.”
How would you define your design speciality?
@emorine.art: “I would say that I specialize, or rather how I naturally think and design, is more simple, clean, bold, and timeless. One of my favorite things about design is that by using color, shapes, shadows, and layout you can control where peoples’ eyes go and how they even perceive what you made. Subtle tweaks can seem invisible, but they can make all the difference.”
What is your favorite medium?
@emorine.art: “I use Photoshop mostly, but depending on what the client needs I also use Illustrator, InDesign, Procreate, Google Slides, and Canva. A piece of paper and a pen is also great for getting ideas out quick without worrying about all the little details, so I always keep Post-It notes and a sketchbook nearby!”
Which tools do you recommend for new designers?
@emorine.art: “I would say it depends on what you want to do. “Graphic Design” is such a vague description that encompasses everything from typography to photo manipulation, traditional art to packaging design, and even production work. Do your research on what the industry standard is (usually it’s an Adobe program), and most of the time you can find a free, trial version, or cheap alternative if you’re just checking it out. In high school I made whole magazines and did photo-editing in Pages and Keynote!”
How would you define the role of “Production Designer?”
@emorine.art: “When I was a Production Designer I worked at agencies where our clients were companies like Disney and Netflix. They were churning out content every month on their streaming platforms and the teams I was on were responsible for taking the main art for the movie/show and figuring out how to make it fit all different sizes and layouts. We had to be the creative problem-solvers so that no matter where it was placed, it looked good. The context of what we were making it for would range a lot, such as traditional advertising, assets on streaming platforms (local and international), mockups for in-person experiences, or making new files containing different language options, among many others.”
What was your favorite aspect of designing on a team for Disney?
@emorine.art: “Although being a production designer isn’t the most creative job (we didn’t make the art from scratch, only manipulating what was previously approved), I loved being able to see the art before the public knew it existed. Being some of the first outsiders to see the art up close was a huge perk of the job - the first time the team saw Baby Yoda (Grogu), we all flipped out and started theorizing!”
Which Disney-related project are you most proud of? Why?
@emorine.art: “I would say there are 2 - the first would be the first Disney+ billboard that I was put in charge of. I drove by it in person and it was crazy to see something that used to be so small on my computer screen was now larger than life! The second would be working on all the platform assets for the first season of The Mandalorian. I was the main designer making the thumbnails, cropping the art, and even making a few ads that would be sent internationally. We had no clue what the story would be, but it was hard not to get excited about whatever title you were working on.”
What did you enjoy most about your leadership role at a creative agency?
@emorine.art: “I learned that I really enjoyed delegating projects and organizing information. I felt like I was accomplishing 3 tasks at once since my team members would take my suggestions and do it themselves! Although I like getting in the weeds of a design, it was a nice change of pace to learn how other people work, gain new skills, and find more efficient workflows.”
Are there any upcoming Netflix projects you worked on (and are excited about) that you can discuss?
@emorine.art: “The new One Piece show will be coming out soon! As an anime fan who never got into One Piece, I’m hoping they did a good job following the manga / anime that everyone loves so dearly. The projects we worked on were sent out to Latin America and Canada, so although I won’t see them in-person, it was still fun art to work with.”
Do you have advice for anyone looking to transition into professional leadership?
@emorine.art: “I would recommend to ask about the position and show that you can handle a heavier workload. Every company’s structure is different, but if you show that you’re responsible and have a serious interest in taking on more work, then it’s worth a shot - as they say, the squeaky wheel is the one that gets the oil.”
Are there any personal/passion projects that you’re working on?
@emorine.art: “I’m in the middle of a couple actually... My main one includes a lot of illustration, so I’m excited to get back into drawing regularly and making it a reality!”
You’ve achieved a tremendous deal professionally, what’s next for you?
@emorine.art: “Up next is freelancing! I’m happy to say that until recently I had to turn away and push off projects due to time and my mental health. Although I am extremely grateful for all the experience I gained at the agencies where I worked, I’m ready for a new chapter with more variety, opportunities, and chances to get back to hobbies and personal projects.”
What are you most looking forward to, personally?
@emorine.art: “Honestly, time! Time to sleep, eat better, exercise, do more projects for clients and myself, and build closer relationships. The entertainment industry can be very demanding, and where it can be very stimulating and exciting for some, I learned that at this time in my life it’s not for me. It was great in the past, and might be again in the future, but for now I’m excited to shake things up!”
How would you describe your personal style?
@emorine.art: “I would say my style is usually nice-casual, simple, and comfortable. When I started working remotely during the pandemic my style naturally became more comfortable, but now that I’m going out more I also like to add in some fun or nicer pieces. It’s amazing what a good outfit can do for your mood and energy level!”
What are your favorite items in your wardrobe?
@emorine.art: “My favorites are a minty Adidas sweater that makes my eyes pop, my soft pink faux-suede motorcycle jacket, and a little sun dress that I feel so happy and cute in!”
Are there any fashion trends that you’re excited to try this fall/winter?
@emorine.art: “Do sweaters count? I wish I could wear fall attire all year round honestly since it’s the time when you don’t have to think too hard about the weather and you an be comfy cozy all day! Plus more than half of the wardrobe is catered toward the colder months, so I’m excited to get to wear then again.”
Anything else that you’d like to add?
@emorine.art: “In regards to anyone who is thinking about or is interested in graphic design, I can’t emphasize enough how important research is. Before I was offered my first agency job, I didn’t even know that every thumbnail on streaming services was custom built, or that most company jobs require a BA and multiple years of experience. There’s so much that isn’t talked about on social media, and it wasn’t until I experienced job-searching and talking to others that I saw what was really out there and what it would take to achieve my dreams. It’s true that almost anything is possible, but it can only become a reality with effort and perseverance :)”