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Aspiring Creatives: Learn PS & Design from Prof & IP Inventor
Erin S.

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $45

About Erin


Bio

Most students come to me because they’re standing at a crossroads: they want to get into a competitive art or design program, pass a tough college class, build a portfolio they're proud of, or finally learn the skills they know they need for a creative career—but they’re overwhelmed, stuck, or don’t know where to begin. I understand that pressure deeply. I’ve spent more than twenty years guiding artists, teens, and adult learners through the exact same challenges, helping them develop the...

Most students come to me because they’re standing at a crossroads: they want to get into a competitive art or design program, pass a tough college class, build a portfolio they're proud of, or finally learn the skills they know they need for a creative career—but they’re overwhelmed, stuck, or don’t know where to begin. I understand that pressure deeply. I’ve spent more than twenty years guiding artists, teens, and adult learners through the exact same challenges, helping them develop the skills and confidence to create work that truly stands out.

I hold an MFA in Digital Media & Design and have taught graphic design, Photoshop, Illustrator, animation, photography, and portfolio development at accredited colleges for over two decades. I’ve worked with first-time learners, neurodivergent students, and advanced creatives preparing for art school or professional work. Beyond teaching, I’m also an entrepreneur and product developer: I built EyeConnect Crafts into a nationally distributed brand sold in Barnes & Noble and museum stores across the country. This real-world experience allows me to show students not only *how* to use creative tools but *why* they matter—how design, storytelling, and technique translate into careers, opportunities, and meaningful artistic accomplishment.

My tutoring style is warm, patient, and deeply supportive. I specialize in breaking down complex creative tools into simple, manageable steps and teaching through multimodal instruction—visual demos, guided practice, hands-on exercises, and reflective feedback. Whether your goal is to build a portfolio, pass a design course, prepare for AP Art, improve your digital skills, or pursue a creative career, my mission is to meet you exactly where you are and help you rise to the next level. Together, we’ll turn your talent, curiosity, and ambition into work you can be proud to show the world.


Education

University of Vermont
Product Design Dev
Academy of Art University
Masters
Harvard
Other

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Approved Subjects

Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects

If After Effects feels confusing or you’re struggling to turn ideas into clean, polished motion, I can help you build clarity and confidence with the software. I currently teach After Effects and motion graphics at the collegiate level. I guide students through practical fundamentals like keyframing, timing, easing, z-axis and organizing a solid workflow. With over two decades of professional experience in digital media and curriculum design, I’m skilled at breaking complex tools into manageable steps that make sense. Whether you’re aiming to improve class projects, prepare for a creative program, or strengthen your understanding of the basics, I’ll support you at your pace so you can make steady, real progress.
Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign

If you want to create clean, professional layouts but InDesign feels overwhelming, I can help you build confidence and clarity with the program. I’ve taught Adobe InDesign, typography, layout systems, and publication design at the collegiate level, guiding beginners through everything from basic tool use to polished multi-page documents. In my professional work, I’ve designed books, catalogs, marketing materials, and branded assets for clients, publishers, and my own product lines—giving me deep, real-world experience in print workflows, file setup, export standards, and production. I specialize in breaking complex concepts into simple, practical steps so students can create strong portfolio pieces and understand why design decisions matter. Whether you're preparing for a design program, improving class projects, or building career-ready skills, I’ll support you at your pace so you can produce work you're proud of.
Adobe Premiere

Adobe Premiere

If video editing feels overwhelming or you’re struggling to turn your footage into clean, professional-looking edits, I can help you build clarity and confidence in Premiere Pro. I teach video editing and motion graphics at the collegiate level, guiding students through practical fundamentals like timelines, pacing, cutting for storytelling, audio cleanup, color correction, and establishing a strong workflow. With over two decades of experience in digital media, curriculum design, and hands-on production, I’m skilled at breaking complex tools into simple, manageable steps. Whether you want to improve class assignments, prepare for a creative program, or strengthen your foundational editing skills, I’ll meet you at your level so you can make steady, real progress.
Drawing

Drawing

I bring an MFA and over 20 years of experience teaching drawing, illustration, and design to learners of all ages. My background includes extensive training in traditional drawing techniques as well as the creative process behind character design. I specialize in teaching students how to improve their technical skills, strengthen their style, and develop their own characters and ideas on the page. My lessons are supportive, structured, and designed to help each student grow at their own pace.
Graphic Design

Graphic Design

With an MFA and two decades of college-level teaching experience, I specialize in helping students master graphic design fundamentals and creative tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, layout design, branding, and visual strategy. I’ve also built and run my own design-forward product brand, which allows me to teach practical design thinking grounded in real-world marketing and entrepreneurship. My teaching style breaks concepts down simply—hierarchy, contrast, typography, color, and composition—so students can apply them with confidence. I support learners at every level, from beginners to those preparing for art school, internships, or creative professions.
Photography

Photography

I am an MFA-trained professional photographer and college instructor with extensive experience teaching digital workflows, Lightroom editing, Photoshop retouching, and creative image processing. My background spans decades of studio, portrait, product, and fine art photography, and I’ve served as a juror for numerous photography competitions as well as exhibited work in museums and galleries. I specialize in helping students understand exposure, composition, lighting, and post-production in a clear, step-by-step way. Whether a student is learning for school, building a portfolio, or preparing for creative career pathways, I tailor lessons to their goals and skill level.
Web Design

Web Design

If building a website feels confusing or you’re struggling to make your site look professional, function well, or get found online, I can help you learn the essentials with clarity and confidence. I currently teach WordPress and HTML/CSS in a collegiate certificate program, guiding adult learners step-by-step through themes, plugins, site structure, accessibility, and content organization. As a business owner who runs a full Shopify e-commerce site, I bring real-world experience in SEO best practices, Google Ads, PPC strategy, and the practical side of managing and optimizing a working online store. Whether you're preparing for a creative program, improving a class project, starting a small business, or simply wanting to understand the basics, I’ll help you build skills steadily and make meaningful progress—at your pace.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Art Theory
Erin S.'s Photo

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Hourly Rate: $45
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