State of Independence

Report microsite · Contra × Unseen Studio · 2021

Contra surveyed over 10,000 freelancers across design, engineering, product, writing, marketing, and social to gather insights on how independents are redefining the future of work.

The design team at Contra collaborated with Unseen Studio to bring the report to life as an immersive scrolling microsite. The site won Awwwards Site of the Day and Product of the Month on Product Hunt.

The State of Independence 2021 report site hero Chapter 1, It's a Lifestyle, from the State of Independence report

Site walkthrough · view the live site

Other Work

Contra brand identity

Contra Brand

Brand identity & creative direction · 2019–ongoing

Figma Make-a-thon

Campaign videos · Contra × Figma · 2026

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.