Erin SuskiAbout Me

erin SuSki

Designing with curiosity, empathy, and impact.

As a designer, I’m passionate about creating thoughtful, user-centered solutions that are functional, inclusive, and visually engaging. Each project highlights my process — from research and collaboration to prototyping and final execution — with a focus on solving real-world challenges through design.

Project 1 Twin Cities Climate Action Plan 2023Spring 2023
At the University of Minnesota’s Printing Services, I partnered with the Office of Sustainability to help bring their updated Climate Action Plan to life. I created a unified design system featuring custom infographics, charts, callouts, and chapter definitions — making complex information clear, engaging, and easy to navigate. The final 2023 report not only connected with a broader audience but also established a new visual standard for future Climate Action Plan publications.

InDesign
Illustrator
Photoshop
Graphic Design
Layout Design
Presentation Design


Project 2Institute for Sexual and Gender Health 50th Anniversary BookSpring 2023
Another project I led at UMN Printing Services was designing a commemorative book for the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health (formerly the Program in Human Sexuality). Created for the Institute’s 50th anniversary celebration, the book was gifted to event attendees and chronicled the history, controversies, and key figures who shaped the program. While it wasn’t intended for a wide distribution, the project successfully documented and honored the Institute’s legacy through thoughtful layout and cover design.

InDesign
Illustrator
Photoshop
Graphic Design
Layout Design
Cover Design
Print Design
Project 3 Watermelon HelmetSpring 2024
In my second semester as a Product Design student at the University of Minnesota, I had the opportunity to work with representatives from a Kansas City-based cycling group who offered valuable insights into the experiences of children of color learning to bike. During our user interviews, a recurring challenge surfaced: traditional helmets often fail to accommodate larger hairstyles or textured hair, creating both safety concerns and barriers to entry.

Inspired by these findings, I focused on designing a helmet solution for adult riders. I developed a modular, tectonic plate–style helmet that adjusts to fit a range of hairstyles, featuring increased cutouts for greater airflow and hairstyle options. I also addressed the lack of vibrant options on the market, designing a colorful prototype — affectionately dubbed the “Watermelon Helmet” — to celebrate self-expression and inclusivity.

User Research & Interviews
Product Sketching
CAD Modeling
Keyshot Rendering
3D Printing
Prototyping
Product Development
Product Post-Processing

Project 4Kinder Egg DreidelFall 2024
 For the final project in Computer-Aided Design 1: Solid Modeling and Rendering, we were challenged to design a three-part toy small enough to fit inside the dimensions of a Kinder Egg Surprise. With the holidays approaching, I created a dreidel with gelt: a two-part shell that securely nests around five pieces of gelt. After modeling the design in SolidWorks, I 3D-printed the prototype, ensuring precise dimensions so it would fit perfectly inside the Kinder Egg capsule.

Solidworks Modeling
Solidworks Drawings
Keyshot Rendering
3D Printing
Post-Processing




©MMXXIErin Suski