
ERIKA
McWHINNIE
INNOVATION LEADER.
DESIGN STRATEGIST.
VENTURE BUILDER.
18+ years connecting strategy, design + execution.



WE > ME
CURIOUS.
INSTINCTUAL.
CONNECTED.
i grew up moving between worlds. learning to navigate different perspectievs taught me to listen with more than my ears, uncover hidden connections + make sense of complexity — i've never stopped finding that useful.
that curiosity shapes how i work:
i ask sharp questions, find the pattern in the complexity, + turn it into experiences that resonate.
i build the thinking before i build the thing. strategy, systems + human needs come together to create experiences that are both meaningful + useful.
a designer's instinct.
a strategist's rigor.
a deep bias toward human connection.



Projects
Services


INNOVATION
Identifying opportunities + turning ambiguity into action.
Opportunity Strategy
Innovation Programs
Venture Development
Concept Development
EXPERIENCE
Designing connected physical, digital + service experiences.
Experience Strategy
Service Design
UX / UI
Physical + Digital Experience




STRATEGY
Creating the frameworks, narratives + systems that move ideas forward.
Creative Direction
Design Systems
Visual Language
Executive + Stakeholder Communication
What
THEY Say
A Trusted Creative Partner Who Turns Ideas Into Impact.
I had the pleasure of working with Erika on my innovation project, and her contributions were invaluable... She has an incredible ability to take overly complex, text-heavy drafts and distill them into clear, impactful stories (visually and through copy). Collaborating with Erika was effortless; she listened carefully, quickly grasped the goal or concept, and would deliver a near-perfect deck every time.
Beyond her skill, she brought warmth, creativity, and a spirit of partnership that made the entire process not just seamless, but enjoyable. Erika is truly a gifted designer and storyteller who elevates every project she touches.
Rockstar Creative With Excellent UI/UX Skills.
A True Team Player!
Really helpful in helping build up our messaging/
storytelling strategy as we launched our business off the ground.
What particularly impressed me about Erika was her ability to roll up her sleeves and get work done outside of her day to day scope - she wasn't afraid to get stuck in to whatever task to help move the business forward!
Exceptional Design Skills! Blending Innovation With Practical Implementation.
Her ability to translate conceptual ideas into tangible assets played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic and functional aspects of our products.
Erika's commitment extended beyond the confines of the design studio. She was actively involved in live installations, capturing critical moments through photography, and directly engaging with customers to gather insightful feedback. Her proactive approach and dedication to understanding user interactions have been invaluable.
Dependable, Thorough, Thoughtful + Witty!
She has a keen eye and makes the big decisions and little details look just right.
She's a strong contributor, great teammate, knows the UX process, has a curious and thoughtful design-mind, and kept us on track for success!
Inspires Creativity,
Unique Problem-Solving,
+ Storytelling Strength.
I have never worked with anyone that has inspired my creativity as much as Erika. She brings a unique lens when looking at any design problem and has the ability to break it down and extract something unique from it. She is a story teller. She has a way of connecting with anyone she meets on a deep and meaningful level.
Erika is a highly skilled, dependable and imaginative artist, but most importantly an amazing human.
Natural Intuition + Sensibility.
Unwavering Standards.
Erika is truly a multi-talented and gifted being. She comes with a natural intuition and sensibility that can neither be learned nor taught. Coupled with her relentless work ethic, she is a calm force to be reckoned with.
Erika has a clear vision and unwavering standards that set her in a top tier of individuals in the design industry. She constantly draws and generously shares inspiration. I have recommended Erika for special projects in the past, and will continue to proudly do so.










