Featured - Nicole Riekki
For the past five years, Nicole Riekki has taught Type & Image at Portfolio Center. She is also one of our esteemed graduate advisors. Nicole is famous for her brutal honesty—and for making everything about the work itself, not the personalities.
What was your childhood like—where you grew up, family quirks, your first artistic endeavors, etc.?
I grew up in Negaunee, Michigan, population 4,483, lots and lots and lots of snow. I knew I had artistic talent when I received the big white envelope from the art instruction schools—after submitting my (free art test) drawing of the pirate and Tippy the Turtle—congratulating me for high scores.
In high school, most students took Mr. Walters’s art classes for an easy A or because they loved to draw unicorns. I took his classes because I was passionate about art. In college at Michigan State, I took out a loan for $1,900 and bought my first computer, a shiny Mac classic II (currently valued at $10), and I knew I was on my way to becoming a graphic designer. After college, I worked for a friend’s dad doing cartography and realized pretty quickly that I was cut out for something a little bigger and better than that. I remembered Prof. James Gilmore at MSU telling the whole class we needed to continue our education at Portfolio Center after we graduated. Three weeks later, I packed my bags and moved to Atlanta.
How did you change between college and your professional life?
I’ve turned fear into confidence. I used to be terrified to show my work in college. Over the years and experience, I’ve gained self-assurance.
What kind of work are you doing today and what excites you about that work?
I’m the associate creative director at Unboundary (formerly EAI). We moved from King Plow art center to an old train roundhouse close by (check out unboundary.com). Unboundary is still renovating some of the new, larger space, which will eventually include silkscreening equipment and an open work environment. We just finished our new identity, and I’ve also been working on a FedEx account for over a year. Not only is it a great place to work, but the people, dogs, and Krispy Kreme supply make it an even better place to be.
What is important to you personally—your philosophy of life?
In life you can either be pessimistic or optimistic. I always choose the latter.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Sitting at a computer all day, or being in an office, works your brain but makes your body turn soggy. I am up at 5:15am, 3-4 days a week, in Piedmont Park (rain or shine) as an instructor for Atlanta Kick’s Bootcamp. I’m not sure if it’s a hobby or insanity. Life outside of work also includes travel. My friend Jen Fenrich (fellow designer, PC grad, and instructor) and I are famous for packing our bags and heading to Asia or Africa. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Why do you teach? What makes you a good teacher? What do you gain/learn from your students?
If every quarter I can inspire at least one student to push himself or herself harder, to create work above and beyond their expectations, then I have succeeded. When I was at Portfolio Center, I appreciated any teacher who would push me through the extra mile or take extra time to help—and now it’s time to give back what I learned.
