Contra Brand

Brand identity & creative direction · 2019–ongoing

Contra was always imagined as an independent-first platform: the tools and infrastructure to build your career around the life you want, with zero commission fees. As an independent freelancer myself, the mission resonated.

I partnered with the founder in 2019 to bring it to life. Together we refined the brand strategy, created a bold logo of converging arrows representing a place to begin, and grew a robust design system. In 2025 we worked with Smith & Diction to evolve the brand from a marketplace into a true creative network. Same mission, bigger vision.

From founding designer to VP of Brand, I now lead a team of wildly talented people who own every brand and marketing touchpoint, from the in-product experience to landing pages, social, and beyond.

Contra wordmark over a blurred floral background Contra wordmark adjustments and early logo sketches GT Standard, Contra's brand typeface, and brand collage Contra tote bag with icon grid and Get More Creative collage Get More Creative poster in the Contra brand system

Other Work

Figma Make-a-thon

Campaign videos · Contra × Figma · 2026

Project Calculator

Creative direction · Awwwards Site of the Day · 2024

Archive · 2011–2020

CadenceCadenceBrand & web design SupergoopSupergoopVisual design for ecomm site KeepsKeepsVisual design for marketing site YumbleYumbleUX/UI for subscription ecomm site Out EastOut EastVisual design for real estate site
GoogleGoogleArt direction with Factor SF
BrandlessBrandlessVisual design for ecomm site
BurrowBurrowVisual design & UX for ecomm site
HingeHingeVisual design & UX for select app screens
MinistryMinistryVisual design for ecomm site
CurologyCurologyVisual design for marketing site
FramebridgeFramebridgeVisual design for ecomm site
BoxedBoxedRedesign for ecomm site & app

About

Erin Horner

I'm a designer and creative person with fifteen years of experience building brands and digital products. I'm VP of Brand at Contra, the network for creative intelligence. I joined as founding designer pre-launch in 2019 and now lead everything the brand touches, from the identity system to our research arm, Contra Labs, to campaigns with partners like Figma.

Before Contra I worked independently with companies across ecomm, health, and consumer tech, I was a lead designer at Red Antler, and designed at Huge and Target. I also taught Interaction Design at the School of Visual Arts in NYC.

Work I've led has been recognized by Fast Company (Most Innovative Companies, three times over), Awwwards, Product Hunt, Typewolf, AdWeek, and TechCrunch.

Experience

  • Contra · Founding Designer to VP of Brand, 2019–now
  • Independent · Design & creative direction, 2018–2022
  • Red Antler · Lead Designer, 2015–2018
  • Huge · Visual Designer, 2013–2015
  • Target · Art Director, 2011–2013

Want to build something together? Say hello.