Lisa Cain

I was born on the south side of Chicago but spent my teenage years growing up in a small suburban town. I remember always creating things with my hands, drawing, and being in absolute wonder of the world. I always knew I would do something creative in life. I graduated from high school in the early '80s and my parents were NOT thrilled that I wanted to attend the Art Institute.

I learned graphic design the "old school" way, using technical pens, Zipatone, Letraset, and making folding dummies with the aid of spray glue and a light table. After I worked on the first Apple computer that my local college was able to get their hands on, I was hooked… or so I thought. Before I went on to become a graphic designer, I changed my major to Fashion Merchandising, graduated, and got a highly coveted job with a retailer in downtown Chicago designing store windows and interior displays.  

After a few years, I realized that my love for graphic design was still pulling at my heart, so I returned to school, focusing on graphic design again. Today, I've been in the design field for over 20 years.

My first interest in design was in my senior year of high school. The previous year I had completed all of my graduation requirements, so in my senior year, I took all art classes. It was wonderfully enlightening! While being immersed in photography and graphic design classes, I realized I wanted to pursue a design career.

I specialize in print and interactive media for a variety of healthcare, wellness, scientific, and research organizations. Some of my clients include Drexel University, the Organization for Autism Research, the American Society of Nephrology, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.  

I seek to make an impact and help empower people's lives through design. Social responsibility is a big focus of mine. I have a true passion for non-profit organizations and the types of projects that come along with them. One special focus is an assortment of projects impacting the autism community—a cause that is near and dear. This effort is supported by designing eye-opening projects to promote peer awareness and acceptance.

What is interesting about my design background is that I started off as a graphic designer. However, I soon developed my skills in fine art and then also went on to become a more conceptual designer through the use of commercial design. All in all, I encourage all designers to design as much as possible while they are trying to establish themselves and own a particular design style.  

Partnering with the Organization for Autism Research (OAR), I designed an educational piece called "The Kit for Kids." It's a peer education program intended to teach children in the general education classroom about their peer(s) with autism. To date, the Kit for Kids has taught over 63,000 children all over the world about autism.  

Other work I've done supports the kidney community in fighting kidney disease. I've helped rebrand the American Society of Nephrology, launch a new magazine and website (Kidney News), design the identity and brand of a partnership with the FDA (Kidney Health Initiative), and redesign their journals (CJASN & JASN).

I'm most proud of my recent accomplishment in being featured as one of GDUSA's "People to Watch in 2016" and also recognized as a Socially Responsible Designer.

When I first began my career working in various companies and settings, I was always the "only one." I worked very hard and sacrificed a lot, but never felt appreciated. It always seemed like a popularity contest.

My family and friends are proud of me. My parents no longer fear that I will become a starving artist. Haha! If it were not for my dad, I don't think I would have made it through college. He bought my first Mac and my second Mac. He may have feared my career choice, but he still supported me.

I think it would be wonderful if there were more classroom opportunities in schools at a younger age that exposed students to design and the different paths available in the field. Colleges with design programs should also provide ongoing mentoring to reach out to the underrepresented. Firms can actively look for talented Black designers. Also, design conferences could form panels and similar initiatives.

Currently, I'm working on a publication for Drexel University called the "National Autism Indicators Report." It's a publication series produced by the AJ Drexel Autism Institute's Life Course Outcomes Research Program and focuses on the transition into young adulthood.

I'm also working on a book featuring my dog that will teach young kids on the autism spectrum social skills. My hope is to impact the autism community and help make positive social changes.

With the proliferation of computers and access to design programs, even a hobbyist can "do" design while charging low fees with not-so-great outcomes.

In 5 to 10 years, I would love to continue to work in the design field. I would also love to open an art/tinker studio for children, where they could come after school, on the weekends, or during the summer to work on anything from graphic design to painting, Lego stop-motion animation, or coding their own drone.

Learn all you can, listen to your heart, and take chances. Master your style but also be open to change.