Say Hello to a Cat Like No Other
Cats and creativity go hand in paw here at Happydesigner. When a ginger-and-white rescue feline named Erik joined our family, we never expected he’d go on to inspire an entire illustrated brand.
‘Oh Erik!’ isn’t just a cute concept—it’s a celebration of character, connection, and charm. Born during the quiet pause of 2020, Erik’s antics, expressions, and inquisitive spirit inspired us to turn everyday cat moments into joyful storytelling, products, and animated adventures.
From playful blogs to illustrated books and sustainable gifts, everything in Erik’s world reflects the warmth and wit of one very special cat. So, come along with us as we explore how one rescue cat became a full-blown muse—and mascot—for creativity, kindness, and just a little bit of chaos.
Key Takeaways
- Oh Erik! is a charming illustrated brand inspired by a real-life rescue cat with a big personality.
- Erik’s antics, expressions, and daily mischief fuel everything from children’s books to animations and blogs.
- The website is an interactive, feline-themed hub featuring Erik’s story, creative content, and a shop full of sustainable, cat-inspired products.
- Every illustration, product, and piece of content is handcrafted in the Happydesigner studio with heart, humour, and sustainability in mind.
- At its core, Oh Erik! champions creativity, kindness, adoption awareness, and the joyful chaos of living with a curious cat.
Before he was a brand, Erik was already supervising from the studio desk—testing pens, sitting on keyboards, and making executive decisions with a tail flick.
Erik’s Origin Story: From Rescue to Role Model
Back in early 2020, we adopted Erik just before lockdown. Admittedly, cats had always been a bit of a mystery to us, but Erik wasted no time winning us over with his nosy charm and clever character.
He wasn’t content with lounging in corners. He supervised our work, tested our pens, sat on our keyboards, and treated the studio like it was built for him, which, in hindsight, it sort of was. His involvement in our daily lives became more than just amusing; it was inspiring.
That’s when the idea clicked: What if Erik had his own illustrated world? What if his voice, full of sass and subtle observations, became the narrator of a brand?
And just like that, ‘Oh Erik!’ was born—a brand grounded in the real-life antics of one inquisitive cat, transformed into whimsical illustrations and creative content that now delights children and adults alike. From Devon rescue to brand ambassador, Erik reminds us every day that joy can come on four paws.
The Website: A Cat’s Playground for Curious Minds
The ‘Oh Erik!’ website is more than a shopfront—it’s a digital den for all things whiskered and whimsical.
Designed with playful textures, hand-drawn flourishes, and interactive personality, it’s split into neat, engaging sections:
- Erik Who? – Erik’s rescue story and role as muse.
- Snapshots – Real-life photos that inspired the character.
- Books – A peek at his upcoming children’s book series.
- Animations – Short, funny videos full of feline flair.
- Blog – Paw-spective articles by Erik himself.
- Shop – Sustainable, beautifully designed cat-themed products.
From the moment you land on the homepage, it’s clear who runs the show. Erik’s tone is cheeky, welcoming, and unmistakably feline. He even sneaks into hover messages and pop-ups, adding little moments of joy to your journey.
For fans of Happydesigner’s signature charm, the site is a seamless extension of our studio’s storytelling-first philosophy. And yes—if you email ‘oherikofficial@gmail.com,’ Erik might just answer! 🙂
Erik in Action: Snapshots & Animations
Before he became a cartoon, Erik was already a natural in front of the camera. The Snapshots section of the site showcases real photos of Erik in his element—stretched across desks, inspecting packaging tape, or staring pensively into space (probably judging us).
These images blur the line between real life and illustration. It’s not hard to see where our ideas come from when you witness Erik mid-pounce or mid-nap.
Then there’s Animations—quick, hilarious episodes that bring Erik’s illustrated persona to life. In The New Scratch Tree, Erik navigates a very uncooperative piece of furniture. In Bug Chase, he unleashes his inner jungle cat. These shorts are voiced, scored, and animated in-house, and they’re perfect for a quick giggle—kids and grown-ups alike will be smitten.
Whether you prefer still moments or animated antics, Erik’s personality leaps off the screen and leaves a pawprint on your day.
Paws and Pages: Erik’s Book Series
The ‘Oh Erik!’ book series is a literary extension of his mischief and musings. Geared towards children (and the young at heart), these stories follow Erik’s whimsical take on the world around him.
Titles like The Coin of Destiny and the Erik & Ernie adventures are filled with humour, heart, and gentle life lessons. Erik’s feline perspective brings a delightful twist to familiar themes—courage, kindness, curiosity—and his voice is just cheeky enough to keep adults smiling too.
As always, the illustrations are lovingly created right here in the Happydesigner studio. They’re rich in expression, detail, and warmth—just like Erik himself. The books are ideal for bedtime reading or classroom shelves, and we’re paw-sitively excited to share them with more readers soon.
Blogging with Erik: Thoughts from a Very Opinionated Cat
Erik’s blog is where his personality truly shines. Written from his viewpoint (yes, he’s quite the wordsmith), it’s a mix of musings, advice, and feline philosophy.
Popular posts include:
- The Petpreneur – Thoughts on turning pet love into business.
- Paws in Print – Reviews of Erik’s favourite reads.
- From Snout to Tail – Practical tips for pet care.
Each blog entry blends wit, charm, and helpful insight. It’s like receiving a letter from your most thoughtful (and slightly sarcastic) cat friend.
For fans of animal welfare, creative business, or just a bit of light-hearted fun, Erik’s blog is a surprisingly thoughtful and entertaining corner of the internet.
The Shop: Sustainable, Stylish & So Very Erik
The ‘Oh Erik!’ shop is where storytelling meets sustainability. Every product is designed to reflect Erik’s character and values—cheeky, thoughtful, and eco-conscious.
Notebooks
- Six Designs, including “Adopt Don’t Shop” and “Stay Pawsitive”
- Made with 100% recycled paper
- Perfect for lists, sketches, or cat haikus
Tote Bags
- Slogans: “Full of Catitude”, “Be More Erik”
- Organic twill cotton
- Built for cat lovers on the move
Apparel
- Organic cotton T-shirts
- Adult and children’s sizes
- Stylish, comfy, and ethically printed
Gifts & Accessories
- Wooden keyrings, stainless steel bottles, bags and more
Craft Kits
- Kids Colour-In ‘T’ shirts, pyjama sets and wall hangings.
From thoughtful gift ideas to everyday essentials, everything in the shop reflects our belief in creativity with a conscience. It’s not just cat stuff—it’s meaningful, memorable, and made with care.
Happydesigner & Oh Erik: The Cat Behind the Brand
‘Oh Erik!’ is built entirely in the Happydesigner studio, where our amazing founder, Sarah, turned a real rescue cat into a creative universe.
Every design, every story, and every illustration is handcrafted with the same whimsy and detail that defines all our work. Erik isn’t just a mascot—he’s a studio companion, a creative spark, and occasionally, a stubborn art director.
The blend of illustration and personality that Erik brings has helped shape a brand rooted in what Happydesigner does best: storytelling with heart, colour, and character. For us, it’s personal. For Erik, it’s just another day being adored.
Sustainability & Giving Back
Sustainability is woven into everything ‘Oh Erik!’ does. We use Teemill’s eco-friendly production model, which means:
- Organic cotton only
- Renewable energy printing
- Plastic-free packaging
- Zero waste supply chain
Erik’s origin as a rescue cat fuels our passion for adoption awareness, and many of our designs proudly promote that message.
It’s not just feel-good branding—it’s a genuine commitment to doing good through design.
Conclusion: ‘Oh Erik!’ illustrated cat brand
‘Oh Erik!’ isn’t just a brand—it’s a reminder that even the smallest creature can inspire big joy. From the moment Erik joined our family, he’s been the heart of countless stories, smiles, and snuggles. His curious spirit and gentle wisdom continue to shape everything we create.
If you’re looking for content that makes you grin, products that make you feel good, or a character you’ll wish you could adopt, Erik has you covered.
And as Erik would say:
“Life’s too short not to chase the odd bug, nap in a sunbeam, and leave a little pawprint wherever you go.”
—
Illustrated with love and crafted by Sarah at Happydesigner
