New Web Design instructor graduated from DCTC in 2014
Erica Schaaf, 49, joined the faculty at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) in January 2025 as a new instructor in the Web Design program. Erica is a graduate of the Graphic Design Technology program, earning an A.A.S. degree in 2014. She owns and operates 3S Design LLC, a Twin Cities-based web and graphic design business that designs and manages WordPress websites while also offering identity branding, print materials, digital asset services, IT management and support, and SEO services.
Erica Schaaf
Erica’s responsibilities as the owner of 3S Design, whose origins date back to 2009, include serving as head of sales, website client manager, and lead designer while managing the company’s employees and consultants. She has more than 15 years of experience as a graphic and WordPress UX/UI designer. 3S Design’s mission is bringing business owners the tools and assets they need to stay on top of market trends and optimize their earning potential.
Before arriving at DCTC, Erica served as program coordinator for Children’s Ministries at Faith Covenant Church for nearly four years and was a teacher at Little Lambs Preschool for five years. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Family Education from Crown College and a Biblical Certificate in Bible Studies from Covenant Bible College.
Erica joined the Visual Arts & Communications Department Advisory Committee in 2023. That department includes the Web Design, Graphic Design Technology, and Photography programs. She will be teaching courses for the Web Design 20-credit certificate program at the start of spring semester 2025.
Teaching Philosophy: Erica Schaaf
“It’s never too late to learn something new or change your career path. Do what you enjoy most, and you will become successful!”
More about Erica…
Alexis, Erica, Annika, and Jesse
Originally from Red Wing, Minnesota, Erica graduated from Red Wing Central High School, Class of 1993. She and her husband, Jesse, have two daughters, Annika, 21, and Alexis, 14. The family has two dogs, Pilot, a rescue, and Lizzy, an Aussie-doodle.
In her free time, Erica loves hanging out with friends and family. She also loves playing golf and traveling. “We travel to Mexico at least two times a year,” she said, “and we also travel stateside for both work and pleasure.”
One of Erica’s favorite hobbies is her work as a liquid acrylic pour artist. According to AI Overview, “The art of pouring, also known as fluid art, liquid art, or acrylic paint pouring, is a painting technique that involves pouring paint onto a canvas instead of meticulously painting a subject.”
You can change the paint’s fluidity and prevent cracking by adding a pouring medium to your acrylic paint. David Alfaro Siqueiros, the legendary Mexican muralist, originated pouring in the 1930s.
When asked what she enjoys most about pouring, Erica said, “I love how easy it can be, and yet pouring can also be complex. There are many types of pours that I have done, and I have sold some of my pieces—one was a private request. I love how you can use color theory when working with many colors for a pour. Anyone can do it!”
Erica resides with her family in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Erica Schaaf life gallery
Erica Schaaf pour gallery
Erica Schaaf • Q & A
Erica Schaaf
What inspired you to study graphic design at DCTC?
I loved creating flyers and brochures in a job I had at Faith Covenant Church in Burnsville. When I left that position, I really missed that work, so I went into the Graphic Design program at DCTC a few years later when our second child was just seven months old.
What do you enjoy most about your work as an entrepreneurial graphic artist and web designer?
Branding businesses and making them look better than their competitors online. Creating lasting client relationships that in turn become WOM (Word of Mouth) referrals.
Three words that describe you as a college educator:
ENCOURAGING. OUTGOING. MENTORING.
What are you looking forward to most in your new role as Web Design faculty at DCTC?
Connecting with the students and showing them how website design can be a great field to go into.
What is the most significant way the AI revolution will influence the graphic and web design field?
I believe it will help designers further develop and harness their craft especially in web design. I utilize AI for content creation, implementing necessary CSS, HTML, Javascript code to customize or resolve issues, and more along with learning to optimize SEO to it’s fullest potential. AI has also helped me fix website performance issues that arise after an update!
What advice would you give people thinking about owning and operating their own business?
Price yourself out to what you are worth and need to make a living. Increase that price over time. It’s tempting to do trades or give deals to friends and family, but, in the end, it will never be a fair trade, and you can be treated less than you wish to be.
Don’t give up even when you feel like it. Create relationships with your clients where they learn they can trust you, and will refer you to others needing design services.
Three words that describe you as a graphic artist and web designer:
PASSIONATE. CREATIVE. RELATIONAL.
What is your favorite Adobe Creative Cloud application and why?
This is a hard one. I love Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign as I use those the most for the work I do.
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
I can’t really pinpoint any one person who has been an influence in my life, but many who are family, close friends, colleagues, and clients have encouraged me to push myself beyond my own limitations and fears. They have all supported me and given me projects to advance me to where I am at today. These are the same people who refer me to others.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
Delete winter from the Midwest weather systems. 😃
One word that best describes your experience as a graphic design student at DCTC:
AMAZING
Erica Schaaf • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Yoga
Place you would most like to visit: Norway- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Attended Adobe Max, multiple years
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Pay off debt 2) Donate to nonprofits 3) Live in Mexico
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Yellowstone
- Time period you would explore if you could time travel: Renaissance Period
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Reach my fullest potential in my career
Your national bird if you were your own country: Swan- Dream occupation: I’m doing it!
- Person you would most like to meet: Aaron Draplin, Draplin Design Co.; I could have met him at a few past Adobe Max events, but was too nervous at the time
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Video editing in Adobe Premier Pro
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Mental health
Learn more about Visual Arts & Communications programs at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
More about the Web Design program at DCTC…
The Web Design certificate program takes one year to complete and is delivered in class on campus or 100 percent online. The program emphasizes web page architecture for the graphic designer or individuals looking for basic web design skills.
User interface design concepts, HTML/CSS/JavaScript Bootstrap framework, and Content Management Systems such as WordPress are used to create attractive and functional web sites. Image creation and optimization, basic 2D and 3D animation, and audio and video editing for web content are also taught for a complete foundational set of web design skills.
Web Design Certificate — 20 credits
Delivery: Daytime on campus or can be completed fully online
Start: Fall semester, part-time
Program Datasheet: Web Design Datasheet PDF
Web and Digital Interface Designers
Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices.
>>>May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes.
>>>May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking.
>>>May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design.
>>>May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.Web and Digital Interface Designer is a Bright Outlook occupation and is expected to grow rapidly in the next several years.
Reported job titles
- Technology Applications Engineer
- Web Architect
- Web Design Specialist
- Web Designer
WAGES
Minnesota (annual)Workers on average earn $80,440
10 percent of workers earn $45,370 or less
10 percent of workers earn $134,710 or moreUnited States (annual)
Workers on average earn $98,540
10 percent of workers earn $48,210 or less
10 percent of workers earn $176,490 or more2023 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Trends: Minnesota
Employment(2020): 4,300 employees employees
Projected employment (2030): 4,640 employees
Projected growth (2020–2030): 8%
Projected annual job openings (2020–2030): 360Occupational Trends: United States
Employment (2023): 128,600 employees
Projected employment (2033): 138,800 employees
Projected growth (2023–2033): 8 percent: Faster than average
Projected annual job openings(2023–2033): 9,900Visit O*NET OnLine for comprehensive information about the occupation: Web and Digital Interface Designers
SOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Web and Digital Interface Designer
