Chicago Made Me Do It: A Full Color Creative Journey

For some, creativity is something of a hobby. For others, a career choice. For Ellen Ma, it was never a choice. "I knew from a young age that taking a creative path wasn't so much an option. It was the only option," she says.

That epiphany started in Hyde Park, at LDRSkate and then Leaders 1354, where she initially understood design to be something beyond fashion or graphics. "Those environments opened my eyes to design, teaching me how skateboards, sneakers, and clothing could carry culture and identity" she shares. A shirt, she came to understand, could scream louder than a speech, and sneakers could contain the soul of a people. That ignited a path she has never departed from.

Chicago molded her vision in all aspects. What served as her playground of inspiration were the city's music, Hebru Brantley's street murals, and a skyline that seemed bigger than life. "Growing up here gave me the freedom to explore and dream without limits. Chicago made me believe that creativity could become a way of life." she says. If New York is the city that never sleeps, Chicago is the city that will not let you lose faith in yourself.

One thing is for certain, the journey into the creative field was definitely not smooth sailing. "When I was breaking into the industry, I was often the youngest person in the room, the only minority, or the only woman." she shares. What might have been a challenge became her big motivation. "Instead of letting that discourage me, I learned how to use those differences to my advantage and let them fuel my perspective and voice as a creative" she imparts.

It wasn't easy to break in without contacts or someone to show the way and this is with or without talent. "I came in with no roadmap, no one to turn to, and no clear place to start. What made the difference was aligning myself with people who believed in me and my work. Once you have people vouching for you, doors begin to open" she mentions.

Mentors and supporters became lifelines who she thanks in full measure. “No one makes it in this industry alone, and I’ll always credit the mentors and community who helped me find my footing” she shares.

Today, she thrives as an art director, a role many misunderstand. “A common misconception about being an art director is that it’s only about graphic design. In reality, the role is about big-picture thinking, shaping ideas, creating strategy, and making sure the work connects to culture and people” she states.

Her work is equal parts vision and persuasion. “Communication is just as important as design, because selling an idea and getting others to believe in it is what makes the vision real” she explained. On any given day, Ellen wears more hats than most people realize: designer, project manager, consultant, and leader. “Art direction is as much about leadership and collaboration as it is about visuals, and that balance is what makes the work meaningful.”

But the pace can be brutal. Burnout is a constant threat. For her, self-care is not a choice. "The most important advice I can offer is to get to know yourself first, what you're good at, what sucks the life out of you, and what you love. You can't even start to heal or grow until you know yourself" she imparts. Walks, vacations, and time off are not conveniences, they are necessities. "Taking walks, traveling, and giving yourself breaks aren't luxuries, they're necessary parts of the process that keep your creativity alive."

A very critical aspect is community. "This industry can be demanding and isolating at times, but bonding with peers who understand your challenges makes a huge difference. Sharing experiences, supporting one another, and finding inspiration together can be one of the strongest forms of self-care."

Her identity as an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) has also played a role at the center of her experience. "Being part of the AAPI community has defined everything about my creative journey. I came of age during a remarkable period for Asian American culture, what I think of as a golden age" she shares. From YouTube personalities and dance troupes to the emergence of Bobby Hundreds and the Linsanity craze, she saw Asian American artists assert that their voice had a place in pop culture. "That perseverance, grit, and commitment became a building block I bring to every project."

But Ellen is also the first to give credit to Chicago's Black community for advancing her. "They were the first to give me opportunities, to believe in my work, and to support me before anyone else did." That alliance, she explains, goes hand in hand with her narrative. "The mixture of the Black and Asian communities in Chicago is what created who I am today.". My career, my vision, and my work are a reflection of that common culture and solidarity."

Underneath it all, what fuels her is not prestige or acclaim. It is effect. "The best part of my job is watching people wear my designs to be themselves, to represent their community, or to make a statement about something they believe in." Every garment is greater than style. It is dialogue, identity, and at times, protest.

Her trip is testament to the fact that creativity is not only what you produce, but what lives you touch. And why she decided to follow it in the first place, she has no hesitation. Chicago forced her to do so. And she'd have it no other way.

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