Between 2011 and 2014, I studied Graphic Design at Cambridge School of Art. In my final year, led by my curiosity for new places and experiences, I moved to the Netherlands to study ‘Visualising Information’ as part of the Erasmus Programme. During this time, I really started to pay attention to my need to communicate and make sense of things in a visual way. Looking back, I’m always inspired by the explorative and imaginative environment created by my tutors and classmates, still an important part of my process today. After graduating back in Cambridge, I spent some years working in written communications before starting at my first 'real' design job in 2017, mainly creating digital content. Now, after almost five years in the industry, I’m grateful for the people, opportunities and experiences so far that have allowed me to develop as a designer.

In more recent years, sound has become another form of creative expression for me. I encountered the transformative power of meditation with sound when I attended my first gong bath in 2017. From then, my appreciation for the practice grew, and in 2019 I decided to train as a sound therapy practitioner myself. In 2022 I completed my training in gong, Himalayan bowl, and drum therapy, giving over 70 hours of treatments for my qualification. My current intention with sound is to simply allow my clients to receive the sound in whichever way is needed for them. It may be an opportunity to find a state of deep relaxation and stillness, allowing the mind and body to rest, or to connect with self in meditation. With time, I hope to develop my offering with sound, particularly in relation to women’s health and connecting with nature’s cycles.

I’m excited to keep exploring both design and sound as I move through my career. If you’re interested in either or both areas of my work, I’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, you can see some examples of my work throughout this site. Thank you for being here!

elise_hillenaar@hotmail.com