Alumni Profile
Get There:
Creating Local Designs from a Local Heart
Elana Guillory
GET THERE: Into Creating Local Designs explores how alumna Elana Guillory turned graphic design passion into a thriving Northshore brand.
Fueling the Drive to #GETTHERE
Before launching her business, Ponchatoula resident Elana Guillory was a student at Southeastern Louisiana University trying to find her true calling. She initially began her higher education journey as a general studies major with a concentration in psychology. However, a persistent “gnawing feeling of being an art major” and an inspiring introductory art course ultimately pushed her to take a gamble and switch her focus to graphic design.
To ensure she gained the real-world experience necessary for a competitive field, Guillory heavily immersed herself in campus media. She joined the Lions Roar campus newspaper, eventually redesigning the organization’s logo, before transitioning to lead the Le Souvenir yearbook staff, where she managed everything from color schemes to final content.
Fear of the classic “starving artist” stereotype almost held her back, but the tight-knit university environment gave her the confidence to push forward. “The [art] classes were much more intimate,” Guillory said of her formative years on campus. “We were able to build a very good community amongst the art department”.
Arriving in Style
Today, Guillory is celebrating two years of successfully running her apparel and graphic design business, Elana’s Graphics. She can frequently be found at a window seat in Luma Coffee House, sipping caffeine and sketching out custom graphics that celebrate the local culture. Her breakthrough came in February 2024 when she recognized a distinct lack of local merchandise and designed a shirt centered on a beloved downtown intersection.
Her wearable art has quickly become a staple of the Northshore community. From Cate Square Park to Benny’s Place, she has seamlessly translated Hammond’s rich traditions into everyday fashion. She regularly showcases her inventory at regional farmers’ markets and partners with local brick-and-mortar storefronts.
The reception from locals has been overwhelmingly positive. “That’s my baby,” Guillory said of her signature downtown intersection shirt. “It struck gold, and everybody loves it”.
Mapping the Road Ahead
As Elana’s Graphics looks ahead, the business is poised to further cement its role as a regional cultural anchor. While Hammond generates her highest market demand, Guillory is consistently scaling her production to create dedicated merchandise for neighboring communities, including Ponchatoula and Covington.
Though she admits she never explicitly planned to become an entrepreneur, her academic foundation at Southeastern has given her the tools to sustain long-term growth. By continuing to expand her retail footprint across the Northshore, she is ensuring that local pride remains a wearable statement for years to come.
Reflecting on the unexpected but deeply rewarding trajectory of her career and her brand’s ongoing expansion, Guillory noted, “It drew itself to me”.
