At 25, Erin Bugée is a graphic artist living in Leadville, Colorado. She specializes in branding, illustration, and printmaking.

Erin graduated from the University of Kansas in spring 2022 with a degree in Visual Communications and a minor in Marketing. She was involved in KJHK 90.7FM, a student radio station, serving as a DJ and creative director for four years.

Erin works as a trail crew member and photographer for the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative on Mount Democrat, where she helps build and protect trails. She works in the mountains seasonally and returns to freelance graphic design in the winter.

Previously, she gained experience at Vahalla Studios in Kansas City, MO, as a screen printer. She worked as a press assistant and oversaw packaging and shipping products to clients.

Erin has received awards from the American Advertising Federation and AIGA for her outstanding work, including Best Portfolio, Best in Show, Best Zine, and Best Use of Paper at the National Student Show and Conference in Dallas, Texas.

A community-oriented individual, Erin has contributed to the School of Architecture & Design Professional Advisory Board, KIOSK magazine, and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities.

Contact me!

Experience

  • Vahalla Studios is a full-service, flat-stock screen printing and letterpress studio located in North Kansas City, Missouri. Erin learned the responsibilities of a press assistant working with burning screens, racking paper, color mixing, and registration.

  • Starting in September of 2021, Erin assists in KU’s newly founded risograph studio: ColorBar. There she is responsible for printing student work along with educating peers about the RISO printing process. In her free time she enjoys experimenting and learning about new avenues in the risograph world.

  • Summer of 2021, Erin got to travel with several peers to work directly with Rocky Mountain National Park to help promote The Year of The Tundra Campaign. Along with spending the week camping and exploring the park’s beauty, the class got a chance to meet with park rangers and discuss the importance of preserving the tundra landscape. Erin’s campaign project ended up getting featured on Rocky’s instagram page. Check it out here!

  • Since day one in college, Erin has been involved with KU’s student-run radio station. She held the Creative Director position to aid in visually promoting radio to students on campus. Erin has received an award for Best Student Radio Program Poster by The Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. Tune in to my DJ show on Sundays 5-7PM!

    In 2020, Erin held a position on KJHK’s Cabinet Board as Communications Director managing all communication/social media outlets. Over this time, the pandemic proved challenging to KJHK’s survival but through much dedication to the station, KJHK 90.7FM can still be heard loud and clear.

  • Over the summer of 2021, Erin interned with Design Ranch in Kansas City, Missouri. There she helped manage both internal and external projects along with assisting new client briefs.

  • Over the summer of 2018, Erin worked with Bigwidesky’s creative team to build and launch their new website along with creating an animated video for their new brand. The project was called Crushed By The Machine and was drawn completely by hand by Erin herself.

  • Erin worked as a student designer for the School of Architecture and Design. Her job revolved around making promotional items for school events and updating the school’s Instagram page @arcd_ku.

Awards & Involvement

  • In addition to art, Erin finds joy in working on trail crews in Colorado. Recently, she had the opportunity to lead a crew for Rocky Mountain Youth Corps during the summer of 2024. There she and her crew collaborated with other organizations such as the Colorado 14ers Initiative and the National Parks Service. Erin is interested in finding ways to combine my passion for Colorado and illustration, and even contribute my skills towards this cause.

  • Inbound Zine Best in Show 2021
    Inbound Zine Best Zine 2021
    No Name Streets Judges Choice 2021
    Sophomore Portfolio Best Sophomore Portfolio 2020

  • AAF-KC Scolarship Recipient 2020-2021
    AAF-KC Scolarship Recipient 2021-2022

    Awarded to college students that showcase talent and interest to the graphics/advertising world.

  • Council of over 60 professional members in the architecture and design field that help aid academic success in the school. Erin represents the student voice of KU’s design school on the board.