Emerson Ruffin is a digital illustrator, fashion designer and motivational speaker from Philadelphia PA. He is self-taught, beginning with paper and pencil as a child; then moving to experimentation with Adobe Photoshop in his teens. As an adult he was able to purchase an iPad where he began working out his designs using Procreate. This marked a major turning point in his ability to give incredible attention to detail in digital illustration.

Emerson’s signature style ‘see sound’ often depicts a ballet showing a blending of faces and symbols in smoke-like highlights. These are the usual suspects seen in his impressive body of work.

Accomplishments:

  • 2016 - 2020
    • Member of Philly Art Collective gallery which showcased my own artwork as well as acting as curator and promoter for other artists.
  • 2019
    • Brianna Moore and I (with a team of designer’s) designed a dress for the Penn Museum under the title Wearable Literature. It will be on display for the next decade.
    • Placed in the top 6 of a citywide sneaker contest (Philadelphia) sponsored by PUMA.
  • 2018
    • In a collaborative effort with owner James Owk, designed a winter run for streetwear brand Only With Kings.