Her innate creative skills were enhanced at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (UWM) where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Design & Visual Communication from the Peck School of the Arts (PSOA) in 2013. After finding herself unsuccessful in securing internships to supplement her education during her freshman year, and with the amazing support of family and friends, Marquayla started Ellasti
c Designs, LLC a small design firm set on creating customs digital and print designs for small businesses, local philanthropic professionals, non-profits, and organizations. During the past five years, Ellastic Designs has illustrated a creative vision for many clients including The African American Chamber of Commerce (WI), Athena Communications, The Office of Small Business Development, Signature Dance Company, The Still Waters Collective, and 29Eleven – just to name a few. As a young creative professional, she sees the need for Milwaukee to amplify its goals of her clients by creating and consulting on ways to visually appeal to their targeted audiences. Marquayla has provided graphics for local conferences, social media campaigns, and fundraising opportunities. In addition to building her clientele list, Marquayla has gained an incomparable amount of experience and growth as a business owner. She values the opportunity to work, play, and visually enhance Milwaukee. Marquayla’s contributions to the city doesn’t end with providing creative service but she regularly gives back to the community as a board member for the Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship (CTE), Artworks for Milwaukee, and the UWM African American Alumni Chapter. She also entertains her social side as Board Member/ and Partner of Social X MKE, and serving on the Milwaukee Film Festival’s Black Lens Program Social Committee. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. When she’s not spending countless hours in front of the computer, Marquayla enjoys spending time with her hound, Bo, keeping up on current, vintage, and thrifted fashion, and tapping into her inner foodie at many of the city’s big and small restaurants.
