Tekoa Criddell has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Art, concentrating in Graphic and Interactive Design. She is from North New Jersey and was surrounded by many different cultures and kinds of people that have influenced her work.  She is a recipient of several academic scholarships that have allowed her to pursue her degree and several internships in her given field. Her internships have allowed her to gain knowledge in both publication and social media design, which in addition to her coursework makes her proficient in many kinds of software and types of design in the workforce. Her interest in graphic design stems from both her love for art and computers, combining these two passions seemed like a natural fit. 

Her love for art also stems from an appreciation for art history, of which she is most interested in Renaissance and Baroque periods. Tekoa’s art journey began as a child, where she showed a love for drawing on anything, even her mother’s furniture, much to her chagrin. Thoughts of pursuing art for a career began in middle school, when she was placed in an advanced art class by accident and found a love for the medium. Later when she learned more about how art could be applied to technology and design, the pieces started to come together and she applied to a graphic design program at a vocational technical high school. She excelled in these classes, and this solidified for her the choice to pursue graphic design as a career. 

Tekoa has received several credentials over time, such as the NOCTI certification in Advertising and Design upon completing and passing the exam in high school. She also graduated high school as an honors student and completed her graphic design courses with merit. Tekoa has also been able to work on a coloring book project for the Paterson Museum, contributing her own illustrations, and has participated in internships for both William Paterson University and social media marketing firm 42Growth.