Ferndale DIY Profile: Laura Leidlein, Graphic Designer and Coaster Creator

Laura Leidlein loves Japanese pop music, drawing and graphic design (which we understand are very similar). Ferndale Patch spoke with Leidlein about the DIY idea and who that fits in Ferndale as part of our DIY Project. To learn more about our DIY Project and to participate, go .

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Twenty five-years-old, married for two months, Ferndale resident for three years, mostly found listening to Japanese pop music. I cannot remember a time when I was not doing something creative with my life. A friend's mom volunteered in our kindergarten class and tells me I would draw for as long as they let me and with much more detail than the other children. I have always felt destined to do something epic in a creative aspect, and I am always pushing towards whatever that may be.

I work full-time as a staff graphic designer for a local company, but have run my own freelance business on the side since 2008. In a rush to make my freelance business legal for a company that wanted to hire me back then, I threw together the name Lyday Creative with my maiden name. After I married my husband Jordan this past June (I fell in love with his Photoshop skills in a design class), I felt it best to change my business name. It was a great opportunity to take my time and have more fun with it. So, Pinki Design was born.

2. What does DIY mean to you?

To me, DIY is artists finding their specific talents and working with them. In the past, I have just been a graphic designer. It wasn't until recently I was inspired by so many wonderful local artists to take that craft and do something more creative with it. If I have the talent to create a unique typography piece or an illustration, why not take that into a form I can share with everyone? Just like my friends who do embroidery, sew clothes and bags, or paint. Take what you know, and create something that can be shared with the world.

3. Tell us about a DIY project (or projects) you have worked on and why it was DIY.

With Pinki Design, I have decided to do more than just freelance design or illustration. Inspired by such wonderful talent right here in Ferndale and metro Detroit, I have started turning my unique designs into tangible things. I am still at the beginning stages of this, but I hope to be a vendor at soon. Recently, I have been making ceramic coasters with different designs, including a set of four with an original map of Ferndale I created (pictured). I have plans on making a pretty cool poster using a variation of this map as well. I love that I can make things inspired by this great city, because I know so many others love it as much as I do.

4. Why does the DIY attitude fit Ferndale?

Ever since I have moved here, I feel like Ferndale just screams creativity. There is no shortage of creative people here, as well as inspiration. Walking down Nine Mile, neighbors smile at you, and you just feel this sense of community. It's that same sense of community that inspires me to make great designs that are worthy of these people. I grew up in Livonia, and always felt alone in my creative nature. Here, you feel support from everyone even if you don't know them.

5. Who is your favorite DIY artist/musician/human?

To pick one, I'd have to say Wei Jen-Su of Wei's Open Secret. Wei is a friend of mine who is from Taiwan and works harder than anyone I know. She is a graphic designer who has turned her designs into amazing crafts and is really the main inspiration for me doing the same thing. Wei has a style I love, but mostly it's her hard work that really gets me. She works as a full-time staff graphic designer for a company by day, and teaches design part-time at two schools by night. And if that weren't enough, she turns her designs into crafts and can be found at most local craft shows. Check her out, she rocks!

This profile is part of Ferndale Patch's month-long  where we talk with residents, artists, musicians, crafters, anyone with an opinion about DIY. The project will lead up to the DIY Street Fair Sept. 16-18. If you'd like to participate, email Ferndale Patch editor Terry Parris Jr. atterry.parris@patch.com.