Erin Shigaki founded Purple Gate Design in 2001. She has practiced design in New York City firms since 1996. Erin earned a BA degree in East Asian Studies from Yale University. She did additional design and fine art study at the American University in Washington, DC; the Yale Summer Program in Graphic Design in Brissago, Switzerland; School of Visual Arts; Cooper-Union; Lower East Side Print Shop and the Torpedo Factory. Erin has also taught printmaking and after-school art programs in NYC public schools on the Lower East Side.