LARISSA
PICKENS
Hi there! I’m a design studio owner, design advisor, entrepreneur, tech geek, fragrance enthusiast, content creator, and mentor.
I enjoy meaningful conversations, creating deeper connections, and building better solutions.
→ Connect on LinkedIn
DESIGN STUDIO
I started my design career in book publishing before going back to school for my MFA from Parsons’ Design and Technology program.
From there, I started my design studio and have worked with brands such as Calvin Klein, Condé Nast, Scholastic, and Estée Lauder. I love helping brands’ personalities shine through their customer journey and connect with their audience.
During this time, I’ve built a team of designers who I adore for their creativity, can-do spirit, and a magical combination of being ambitious creatives but also chill and lovely human beings.
We currently focus on branding, packaging, and digital design for women’s healthcare, beauty, and lifestyle brands. We also partner with brands to help with their ongoing design needs.
Personally, I’ve found the new interest in and funding for women’s health and femtech is truly inspirational (and long overdue). If you’re involved in a women’s healthcare start-up that needs branding or design work, I’d love to talk with you!
→ Float Design
DESIGN ADVISOR
I’m also a design advisor for FURI Sport.
Having worked with co-founders Erick Mathelier and Michelle Spiro from the early days, I've witnessed FURI's journey from a mere idea to a funded start-up ready to take on the world of tennis.
I've been impressed with their ongoing commitment to disrupting tennis by removing its elitist country club flavor and embracing inclusivity instead.
I'm excited to help shape FURI's future and continue to drive positive change in the industry. Or as the FURI team says, “Dream Big. Let It Fly.”
Interested in working with me as a design advisor for your start-up? Let’s see if it’s a fit!
→ FURI Sport
DESIGN MENTOR
One of my favorite things is mentoring new design talent and helping mid-career designers figure out the next steps of their careers.
It’s always an honor to get invited into someone’s hopes and dreams and hopefully help them strategize or at least get perspective.
If you’re a designer who wants a portfolio review or to strategize your professional journey, I look forward to connecting!
→ ADPList
FRAGRANCE ENTHUSIAST
Fragrance has always been one of my favorite indulgences, from admiring my mom’s perfume bottles to designing for fragrance brands such as Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, and Calvin Klein.
In this role, I also got to be a human tester and trial new scents for the fragrance development team. Having a small team eagerly sniffing your forearm while discussing the fragrance journey is a unforgetable experience and intrigued me further.
This led me to launch Everfumed, a digital publication where we interview perfumers, review new and classic fragrances, and explore perfumery ingredients.
It’s been a delight to learn more about the world of fragrance (and have an excuse to collect far too many perfumes).
→ Everfumed
CANDLEMAKER
After establishing Everfumed, I had the itch to create my own scents. This led me to a perfume-making class in Paris and launching my candle line Fernweh Editions, which combines my passion for scent and travel.
I design each candle set or “edition” around the scents of a specific place from the snowy forests of Alaska to the sunny gardens of the Mediterranean.
With the tagline, “Candles that take you on a journey,” we’ve been featured on The Drew Barrymore Show, InStyle, Apartment Therapy, and House Beautiful as well as a partnership with the Literary Adventure Society.
I’m currently looking for new retail and brand partnerships, so if you’re interested in either, I’d love to hear from you!
