Lisa Frank facts for kids

Lisa Frank (born in 1955) is an American artist and businesswoman. She is the person who started Lisa Frank Incorporated, a company based in Tucson, Arizona. Lisa Frank is famous for creating fun and colorful designs. These designs are used on school supplies and many other products. They are mostly made for kids and young teenagers. Her bright and cheerful designs were very popular in the 1980s and 1990s. They became popular again in the 2010s and 2020s.

Early Life and Art Inspiration

Lisa Frank's father was an art collector. He showed her the work of artists like Pop Art artist Peter Max. These artists likely inspired her colorful style. Lisa Frank finished high school in 1972 at the Cranbrook Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. She later studied art at the University of Arizona.

Starting Lisa Frank Incorporated

In the 1970s, Lisa Frank moved from Detroit, Michigan, to Tucson, Arizona. She wanted to study art at the University of Arizona. While there, she started a company called Sticky Fingers. This company made jewelry for children. She began working out of a small guest house in her backyard. Around 1980, when she was 24 years old, Sticky Fingers became Lisa Frank Inc. She continued to lead the company for many years. As of 2021, her son, Forrest Green, helps run the company. He works on business development and partnerships.

Lisa Frank's Unique Designs

Lisa Frank's artwork is known for its bright rainbow and neon colors. Her designs often show stylish animals. You can see dolphins, pandas, and unicorns in her art. In the 1980s and 1990s, her designs were everywhere! They were on school supplies like lunchboxes and Trapper Keepers. Her art also appeared on toys and stickers. Girls in elementary and middle school especially loved her colorful creations. In 2011, her designs were even used for a vibrant clothing line.

Lisa Frank's designs became very popular again in the late 2010s and early 2020s. This happened because many people felt nostalgic for the 80s and 90s.

Fun Collaborations

During this time of renewed popularity, Lisa Frank's artwork was featured in several exciting collaborations. In 2017, she teamed up with Reebok. They released two special versions of Reebok Classic Leathers shoes with her designs. Also in 2017, Lisa Frank worked with producer Jon Shestack. They planned to create a movie inspired by her colorful world. In 2019, she designed the logo for John Mayer's Instagram TV show, Current Mood. More recently, in 2023, she collaborated with Crocs. They created a line of platform clogs featuring her art. She also worked with Evite to offer digital invitations with her designs.

About Lisa Frank's Private Life

Lisa Frank is known for being a very private person. In a 2012 interview video with Urban Outfitters, the company agreed to keep her face hidden. She was married to James A. Green from 1994. They had two sons, born in 1995 and 1999.