Meet Courtney Crider | Graphic Designer & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney Crider and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe that each person has a unique view of the world and that sharing it with others can change lives and touch hearts.

My illustration style is mine and a part of who I am. I want others to see my artwork and be filled with joy.

For graphic design, I enjoy putting myself in the shoes of other people to create designs that connect to them on an individual level.

Ultimately I want to create some sort of emotion in people – whether it be peace, joy, empathy, understanding, or more. Using my creative talent to impact others is a big motivation for choosing a creative career path.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a graphic designer and an illustrator. I love creating work that people can connect to and see themselves in.

For graphic design, I have worked on a variety of projects. Some of these include brand identity projects, flyers, packaging design, social media posts, app and web UI design and more. I love putting myself in other people’s shoes, which is key to knowing what types of designs are going to impact your target audience. My goal is to create designs that are both functional and aesthetic and add something special to people’s everyday lives.

For illustration, the main projects I’ve worked on have been children’s books. I have illustrated five children’s books to date, the most recent one being “Caterpillar Cat” written by Kristi Anderson. I love creating cute, colorful, whimsical artwork that brings joy to people’s lives. I also create personal portrait commissions, spot illustrations and more.

One thing that sets me apart is my unique style and perspective. My illustration style is unique and somewhat different than your “typical” children’s book style. It’s appealing to kids and gives them and their parents something a little different to enjoy.

Additionally for graphic design, I put a little bit of me in most of my designs and I think that makes it more human and more approachable. If I can see myself represented in it then other people will see themselves represented too.

In school students and professors would look at my work and say “I wish I saw the world the way you do” in response to the emotion my work gives off. I believe I bring a unique perspective to the table, just by being my own person and having my own unique view of the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Michigan has a lot of great places to visit, my favorites being the ones that are a part of nature.

The Johnson nature center is a beautiful place. You can see a lot of animals and nature there. Additionally there are some great state parks around here, including some with lakes.

For food, Blaze Pizza is my top recommendation. It’s like the Subway of pizza, lots of customization options. They even have gluten free doughs and vegan cheese options making it great for anyone.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout Peter Schade, a graphic design professor at Oakland Community College. He’s a great teacher, very fun and knowledgeable and he truly cares about his students and their work. His encouragements and compliments about my work played a big part in me gaining confidence in my skills. And his design critiques and the lessons he taught gave me a great foundation for understanding design.

Website: Criderillustrations.com (illustration portfolio), courtneycrider.com (graphic design portfolio)

Instagram: @crider.illustrations

Linkedin: Courtney Crider

Twitter: @CriderIllus_