Featured Alumni - Eric Meyer

Learning How to See Things

Eric Meyer (Art & Design '85) will tell you that it wasn't his portfolio that got him into Cal Poly, nor was he the best artist among his peers in the Art & Design Department. He will say, however, that it was at Cal Poly that he "learned how to see things." Through the study of art, architecture, and art history, Eric learned how things evolve in design and how to identify trends. "The ability to tell the difference between good, bad and great design," says Eric," is what will get a student a job right out of school."

Eric's design skills emerged during his skateboarding days. In the early 80's, team sponsored clothing did not fit with the image and culture of skateboarders, and many skateboarders made their own clothes. By tie-dying black t-shirts with bleach and making shorts out of old plaid pants from the thrift store, Eric developed a "street imagery" that pioneered skateboard fashion... a strong trend still. He convinced a skateboard manufacturer, Vision Street Wear Sports, to make his line of skateboarder clothing called Vision Street Wear, which eventually included shoes, and the rest is history.

In 1991, Eric and his wife Cynthia (Art & Design '87) decided to branch out and started Simple Shoes in their garage in Laguna Beach. They wanted to develop a product that "didn't fit;" one that broke all stereotypes. "Simple Shoes," notes Eric, "are invisible and functional. They don't say anything about you and the can be worn for multiple purposes." Eric's design also experimented with sustainable materials, including non-leather, vegan and recycled rubber materials. The ability to identify trends and great design was the key to the success of Simple Shoes, which Eric and Cynthia sold to Deckers Outdoor Corporation in 1993 and left in 1996.

The Meyer's are back home in San Luis Obispo and pursuing new passions. Cynthia is back to her first love, painting. Eric redesigns and rebuilds homes, integrating sustainable solutions. Eric and his partner have redesigned 10 houses to date, and several have received Obispo Beautiful Awards. To Eric, his success in sustainable redesign is his attention to the finer details and his ability to understand space and how people live. "I know," says Eric, "what makes people happy in a home."