Rozzie Cribbs

My name is Rozzie Cribbs, and my passion for graphic design stems from my upbringing in Chicago. Growing up in the city, I was surrounded by various creative inspirations and cultures. This environment sparked my interest in art and design as a way of visually expressing and communicating ideas. I was always amazed by the art displayed in my neighborhood, particularly the murals inside viaducts. Their vibrant colors and imagery left pedestrians and tourists alike astonished.

To me, these murals were like a modern form of hieroglyphics. My understanding and appreciation of art deepened when I attended Little Black Pearl High School. During my time there, I decided to pursue a career in design because I wanted to create things art that instantly grabbed people's attention, much like the murals did for me. With an evident passion and direction, I immersed myself in learning and applying design principles.

I graduated high school with a full-ride scholarship from the Jordan Brand Wings Program and continued my higher education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, majoring in communication design. I was introduced to web design, motion graphics, packaging, and brand design there. I also became an Urban Alliance ambassador in college, using my graphic design skills to promote workshops and professional development events.

Additionally, I completed an apprenticeship under my mentor, Armand Morris, working on projects for the Boys and Girls Club of St. Louis and a mural for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

I interned with Jordan Brand in apparel design during the summer of my junior year. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of the design process within a large company such as Nike. While interning there, I helped prepare the rollout for the 2019 All-Star game in Chicago. Most recently, I worked with the Chicago Department of Public Health, focusing on improving the city’s health and addressing the life expectancy gap.