User:Cherissa Adams

Cherissa hails from Austin, Texas. Educated at private institutions; The Art Institute of Houston and The Art Institute of Dallas as well as continuing education at Stanford University, Palo Alto and The University of California at Santa Cruz. Cherissa double majored in Visual Communications/Graphic Design and Computer Animation. With over 10 years of industry experience as well as functioning as the Owner and Creative Director of Adams Design, she is an invaluable talent. Cherissa's body of work consists of projects spanning the gambut in Graphic Design, Presentations, Branding, and Photography. She collaborates with world renowned industry leaders, brands and creative agencies and continues to be sought after as a valuable member of award winning teams.

Charitable Contributions: JDRF (Junior Diabetes Research Foundation), Lance Armstrong Foundation, Susan G. Komen Foundation, iamchange.org, The Sunshine Camps, Capital Area Food Bank, Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, and various Christian organizations.

Alliances/Awards: BigStockPhoto/Photographer, New York Institute of Photography, Gallerie Thuillier - Paris, France, Carbonmade.com, AIGA, Young Women's Alliance, The Art Institute of Houston, The Art Institute of Dallas, Stanford University review program, University of California at Santa Cruz continuing education, University of Texas mentorship participation, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, The Menil Collection, KICK ASS Marketing award, HOW Magazine award.

In her own words... Behind the Scenes: Inspiration is at the heart of every idea and it is the most important element of powerful messaging...the rest is grids, arresting visuals, solid creative writing, and fine-tuning.

Brain to Paper to Digital: Being a natural-born communicator, I have always had my hands stirring in many projects simultaneously...building, sketching, painting, sculpting, photography, creative writing and digital media. All are cathartic to me in the sense that you begin with a problem and end with a creative solution. Each step taking on structure and form until a final product is realized. This is what fascinates me and causes me to return to the arts and media on many levels.

Personal... In her personal time, Cherissa enjoys the outdoors, the beach and oceanic wildlife, foreign languages including American Sign Language, traveling and studying abroad, spending time with family and friends and her beloved dog, Sophie. She is also an avid reader, and enjoys all types of music, competitive tennis, swimming, meditative walking, fine art, photography, creative writing, and donating her time and resources in giving back to her community.

Go forth. Travel. Be creative!