Erik A. Evensen /EH-ven-sen/ is a graphic designer, illustrator, graphic novelist, and educator whose creative work often reinterprets topics from history, mythology, and folklore. His projects have been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and received recognition from Communication Arts, Graphic Design USA​, and the Paul Revere Awards for Graphic Excellence. ​Erik is a Professor in the School of Art & Design at the University of Wisconsin–Stout Polytechnic where he launched and now directs the B.F.A. in Illustration. At UW-Stout, he has been recognized with the Outstanding Teaching Award, the Outstanding Research Mentor Award, and as a Faculty Ally. 

His comics work has been called “innovative and groundbreaking” by Graphic Novel Reporter. His debut graphic novel, Gods of Asgard, received a Xeric Award for artistic, scholarly, and literary merit, and has been adopted as a textbook at several universities. His second graphic novel, The Beast of Wolfe's Bay, has been featured in several academic textbooks. His creative work with myth and folklore frequently yields citations, appearances, and speaking engagements about history, culture, and comparative literature. Additional comics industry credits include Ghostbusters and Back to the Future, both licensed properties from IDW Publishing. Erik's game industry credits include art direction for the tabletop games Distilled, Class of ’89, Marrying Mr. Darcy, and their product lines. 

Erik holds an M.F.A. in Design from Ohio State University, graduating Phi Kappa Phi. He received a B.A. in Studio Art from the University of New Hampshire, and continued his education at Boston's School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Prior to entering academia, he worked as a graphic designer and illustrator in New England, with clients and marketing partners ranging from Fortune 100 companies through local businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, major publishers, and arts & entertainment organizations. He is married to conductor/composer Erika Svanoe. 
NOTE: Evensen is pronounced with a short E, just as it is in Norway. ​
Picture
sketches of Erik
”Erik Evensen proves
that the ​internet isn't
​totally full of bad people.”
—MEN IN GORILLA SUITS
​”Erik is able to see the big picture, and can produce just about any stupid idea we come up with.”
—NICK PRUEHER,
​FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAL
”I'd like to
give Erik Evensen
​a high five.”
—GEEKS of DOOM
ERIK A. EVENSEN, M.F.A.
DESIGNER, ILLUSTRATOR, GRAPHIC NOVELIST
PROFESSOR of DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION