My name is Erwin Hines,  I am an artist, designer, and creative director. My primary focus for the past three years has been designing opportunities for positive social change through the creation of cross platform experiences that foster authentic community and empathy. My work seeks to simultaneously examine the human experience and provide opportunity for healing and progress. At the start of 2023 I organically began diving into a world that was a blend of urban planning, branding, activism, and event design - which I’ve come to learn is placemaking.

01. STUDIO SESSIONS: CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

02. GENERATIONAL LOVE IS WEALTH

03. BLACK MUSIC SAVED THE WORLD

04. ALGORITHMS WON’T SAVE US

Key references that inspired my work in 2023

THE ART OF LOVING: BY ERIC FROMM

A book that helped me apply love more broadly by seperate love from the capatlistic idea of love.

ALL ABOUT LOVE

A book I have read multiple times but it always delivers what is needed.

ALGORTHYMS OF OPPRESSION

Another book I have read multiple times that seemed especially important to revisit as society grapples with the impacts of AI

MEZZROW AND SMALLS NY

Two Jazz Clubs that My girlfriend and I visit when ever we are in New York.

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK NY

My favorite park in the world. It’s beauty is in the eclectic energy and the disparate communities that congregate there.

bar subterranians JP

A hidden bar in Shibuya. The key takeaway from this place was that it’s not about how many people show up, it’s making sure the right people show up. don’t curate for popularity and instead curate for a community.

Bar stardust club JP

An amazing and intimate family opoprated bar located in Kyoto. The key takaway from this space was to stay authentic to what you love and curate accordingly.

music bar Beatle momo jp

An amazing and intimate family opoprated by a husband and wife located in Kyoto. The key takeaway from this place was to create a space that feels like home.

FUGLEN jp

Another book I have read multiple times that seemed especially important to revisit as society grapples with the impacts of AI

LINK UP in londan

If you have been to a LINK UP by Andre Power then you know these experiences are amazing. Iv’e gone a few times in LA but they happened to be doing a LINK UP in London while I was in Paris which was a good excuse to check out London for the first time. Needless to say it was an amazing evening filled with great energy. The key takaway was how music can immediately make you feel at home and connected to spaces you are new and unfamiliar with.

THEASTER GATES

An amazing and intimate family opoprated by a husband and wife located in Kyoto. The key takeaway from this place was to create a space that feels like home.

FULL BIO

Throughout my career, I have focused on doing work that fosters empathy and inclusivity across all disciplines. I’ve had the opportunity to lead the creation of industry-defining work for companies such as GOOGLE, COACH, BEATS BY DRE, UNDER ARMOR, WEBBYS', AMAZON and more. Through these experiences I’ve developed a keen understanding that the artifacts we create help shape people's perception of the world and their place within the world. This is why I am focused on using the toolset of design to put forward work that can help shape a more equitable environment, where those who have historically been oppressed have the freedom to just be themselves.