Quartz Health Solutions, Inc. is a Wisconsin-based company specializing in health plan management and administrative services. Born from the merger of two health insurance providers, the brand required a completely new identity. The Quartz logotype features soft edges and distinctive details that strike a balance between approachability and memorability. Notably, the tail of the "Q" evokes the image of a caring arm, subtly supporting the rest of the wordmark.

Agency: Shine United
Creative Directors: John Krull, Mike Kriefski
Designer: Erik R. Johnson

Cru Concrete, formerly known as Hottmann Construction, operates out of southern Wisconsin. Following their name change, they needed a bold new identity to match their evolution. I was tasked with creating a new logo and comprehensive identity system. To ensure the name read as a single word rather than an acronym, I designed custom letterforms, including a distinctive lowercase "r." The resulting logotype is modern, strong, and built to convey durability and confidence. I extended this identity into a full brand system that included website design, brand standards, business cards, and email signatures to bring the new Cru Concrete brand to life across every touchpoint.

Agency: Planet Propaganda
Creative Director: Larry Olson
Designer: Erik R. Johnson

The Ride was a bicycle benefit for cancer research organized by the UW Department of Human Oncology and the Carbone Cancer Center. It has since been renamed the Badger Challenge. In its first two years, the event raised $500,000 for cancer research. I was responsible for creating a logo that felt both stylish and approachable, helping to build excitement and encourage participation. The icon transforms a capital "R" into a bike rider, with type and imagery connected by a custom inline stroke that adds movement and energy. I designed custom inline lettering to create a cohesive lockup that could be used across a wide range of materials. My favorite part of the project was attending the event and seeing the mark featured everywhere—from large banners to chalk drawings scattered throughout the event grounds.

Honors:
Graphis Design Annual 2018: Gold Award.

Agency: Shine United
Creative Director: John Krull, Mike Kriefski
Designer: Erik R. Johnson

ACT Contemporary Theatre, based in Seattle, WA, needed a visual identity that captured its bold and creative spirit. I designed a logo that highlights the “C” nestled between an expressive “A” and an angled “T,” creating a sense of tension and balance. The customized type mirrors the icon’s sharp angles, forming a cohesive and distinctive logo system. From there, the broader design system extends these principles into a dynamic visual language that is flexible, expressive, and full of possibility.

Agency: Planet Propaganda
Creative Directors: Alex Perez, Dana Lytle

Designer: Erik R. Johnson

Lighthouse Electric, located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA, is an innovative leader in electrical and technological design and construction, with an impressive roster of clients. I was tasked with creating a new logo and website design that reflected their forward-thinking approach. The final logo features a clever interplay of positive and negative space, forming a bold, memorable icon. To complement it, I designed custom lettering that mirrors the power, angles, and intensity of the symbol. The website design served as a space to expand on this bold visual language and capture the hardworking, driven spirit of Lighthouse Electric.

Agency: Planet Propaganda
Creative Director: Kurt Lenard, Dana Lytle
Art Director: Casey Christian
Designer: Erik R. Johnson

The Bob Johnson Ice Hockey School was founded in 1964 by Bob Johnson (my grandfather) and Art Berglund at the Aspen Ice Garden in Aspen, Colorado. Since then, the camp has run every summer, now holding two sessions annually in both Vail and Aspen. I first attended as a youth player, later returning as a camp counselor, and now contribute with pride by designing web graphics, brochures, flyers, apparel, and logos. The “Leaf” logo combines clean, modern typography with the shape of an Aspen leaf, resulting in a cohesive and elegant badge that honors the camp’s legacy and its roots in Colorado.

Designer: Erik R. Johnson

Silencer Central, based in Sioux Falls, SD, sells and ships silencers to all 42 states where it's legal. I was tasked with designing a modern, impactful logo that reflected their bold and cutting-edge brand. During the sketching process, I discovered an abstract “S” formed by upward and downward-pointing arrows, converging on a central shape that subtly represents a silencer. Encasing the symbol within a square gave the mark structure and visual balance. I paired the icon with custom typography that feels sleek and contemporary. One of the most rewarding moments was seeing the logo come to life at scale and featured prominently in the large signage at their South Dakota headquarters.

Agency: Shine United
Creative Directors: John Krull, Mike Kriefski
Designer: Erik R. Johnson

Lacrosse Footwear, a heritage boot company based in Portland, OR, has been crafting durable footwear since 1897. While I wasn’t formally assigned to the logo redesign project at Shine United, I took the initiative to sketch an idea, an arrow icon inspired by elements of the brand’s previous mark. I shared the concept on a scrap of paper, and to my surprise, it was quickly embraced. That design is now mass-produced and featured across all LaCrosse Footwear products.

Agency: Shine United
Creative Director: John Krull
Art Director: Audelino Moreno González
Designer: Erik R. Johnson

PSE has been a trusted expert in electrical energy since 1974. In celebration of their 50th anniversary, they partnered with Planet to refresh and strengthen their identity, brand platform, and messaging. I redesigned the logo to break free from its previous container, introducing custom letterforms that enhance visual impact and establish a stronger sense of connection. The accompanying design system builds on these updates, bringing a modern and innovative aesthetic to a company that continues to lead with forward-thinking solutions.

Agency: Planet Propaganda
Creative Directors: Kurt Lenard, Dana Lytle
Designer: Erik R. Johnson

Logo design is my true passion. It’s one of the purest forms of graphic design, where the goal is to distill a big idea into a single, concise symbol. That challenge never gets old. I love the moment when an idea clicks into place, revealing something simple, clever, and memorable. Growing up, I was constantly tracing sports logos, fascinated by how a single mark could be replicated over and over while still holding meaning and identity. Today, I feel incredibly fortunate to make a living solving problems and creating symbols that represent people, companies, and teams. It’s a responsibility I never take for granted.

There are so many aspects of packaging design that I enjoy. I love creating work that draws people in, making them want to pick up the package and explore every side. Seeing the final colors come to life in print, even the subtle imperfections that give each piece its own character, is always rewarding. I enjoy working within the constraints of dielines and limited color palettes, finding creative solutions in the details. These are some of my favorite packaging designs that I’ve been fortunate to be a part of.

Lake Louie Brewing began as a small microbrewery in Arena, WI and later relocated to Verona, WI. I had the opportunity to create a series of illustrated posters for their different beer flavors. This project was a great exercise in developing eye-catching, cartoonish, and wildly imaginative designs that pushed my creativity. It was a blast sketching ideas, sharing concepts with the client, and bringing them to life as vibrant, colorful scenes.

Agency: Shine United
Creative Director: John Krull
Copywriters: James Breen, Eli Drljaca
Designer: Erik R. Johnson

Here’s a collection of designs I’ve created over the years that didn’t quite fit into the other categories. They include a mix of real client work, unused concepts, and pieces I made just for fun.