Ephemeral Designs 831

Ephemeral Designs 831 Earth Scientist turned graphic designer / surface designer focused on sustainability and capacity building. Neurodivergent woman owned, ME/CFS + fibromyalgia.

Ephemeral Designs 831 draws from the botanical concept of spring ephemerals- a community of plants which provide an important ecosystem role despite having a fleeting visible above-ground growth stage. The artist behind the work:
Dr. Sami Chen completed her PhD in the Earth System Science department at Stanford University. For her doctoral research, she conducted fieldwork in a very special mesic

rich cove forest in western North Carolina on traditional Cherokee territory that was home to many unique herbaceous spring ephemeral plants. While her dissertation centered how the traditional Cherokee harvest of wasdi / ramps (Allium tricoccum) influenced the nitrogen cycle at the ecosystem scale in contrast to whole plant bulb removal, she kept noticing how spring ephemerals resonated with her life more as a metaphor. Sami is neurodivergent (dyslexic, ADHD, and autistic) and noticed that she too had moments she could shine, followed by long periods of dormancy and need for rest. A month after passing her PhD defense, her body fell apart and she was diagnosed with Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia. Spring ephemerals help remind Sami that it’s ok to bloom for a short period followed by rest. Ephemeral Designs 831 is a creative small business that provides eco-conscious bags and clothing with ecosystem inspired artwork. Sami is also available to provide custom artwork by commission as well as design thinking consultations.

We had a wonderful time vending at The Bloom fundraiser last weekend in support of Homies Empowerment and the Freedom Fa...
03/28/2026

We had a wonderful time vending at The Bloom fundraiser last weekend in support of Homies Empowerment and the Freedom Farm!

Come check out and support the Homies Employment Fundraiser this Saturday in Oakland! I will be one of the vendors prese...
03/19/2026

Come check out and support the Homies Employment Fundraiser this Saturday in Oakland! I will be one of the vendors present at the Bloom Fundraiser they have organized. Please check out the very important work they've been doing and consider contributing financially if you have the means to do so.

Photo description: A green reusable water bottle with the Ephemeral Designs 831 logo as a sticker placed on it. The bott...
03/06/2026

Photo description: A green reusable water bottle with the Ephemeral Designs 831 logo as a sticker placed on it. The bottle rests on a bed in front of a soft blanket.

I started Ephemeral Designs 831 last summer as I've continued to navigate myalgic encephalitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The name Ephemeral Designs 831 draws significance from ephemeral beauty and spring ephemeral plants- brief moments that are beautiful. Spring ephemeral plants are often the first to rise after snowmelt and have a very brief moment of aboveground time, despite much longer dormancy. The concept of spring ephemeral plants only being visible for a brief time resonates with my experiences with ME/CFS. I am often debilitated by my fatigue. When I say tired, I can't lift my arms or legs up and I can't sustain a sitting up position. I often need to lay down between everything I do, and save up my energy to do absolutely anything. Despite that, I'm looking for beauty in existence and try to show through my art and photography natural moments of beauty that may not last, but are so special in the moment. My water bottle with a straw helps me stay hydrated while laying down and helps reduce energy expenditure when I really have none left to spare. Highlighting my brand logo, where one of my drawings is superimposed on a photo for a mesic rich cove forest looking at ramps and dicentra spring ephemerals. The yellow swallowtail butterfly I hatched in my apartment is resting on a piece of the Sochan I grew in grad school on the right. The drawing pulls the bottom portion of the "Chaos on My Mind" design, but replaces the chaos with this more peaceful and beautiful memories of hatching a butterfly and experiencing beauty in the mesic rich cove forest.

Had a great experience at the Pleasant Hill Lunar New Year Market! Organizers did a great job. I enjoyed the cultural pe...
03/04/2026

Had a great experience at the Pleasant Hill Lunar New Year Market! Organizers did a great job. I enjoyed the cultural performances that took place throughout the day. Super cool having lion dancers come through the vendor booths! Happy Year of the Fire Horse! 🔥🐎🔥💥🥟🍊

Mark your calendars! I'm signed up as a vendor!! Very excited to celebrate Lunar New Year!!
01/26/2026

Mark your calendars! I'm signed up as a vendor!! Very excited to celebrate Lunar New Year!!

Successful holiday market at the Berkeley Center for Independent Living!
12/19/2025

Successful holiday market at the Berkeley Center for Independent Living!

Come support disabled artists!!! I will be present and have a table!
12/18/2025

Come support disabled artists!!! I will be present and have a table!

From the Krampus Market at the Brookdale Lodge last night! Grateful for support and help from my mom and dear friend Jes...
12/06/2025

From the Krampus Market at the Brookdale Lodge last night! Grateful for support and help from my mom and dear friend Jess for help with set up, company, and break down.

For Sale: $65, Keep Cool Insulated Tote with Kelp design by Sami Chen. 2 in stock.
12/05/2025

For Sale: $65, Keep Cool Insulated Tote with Kelp design by Sami Chen. 2 in stock.

Golden Poppy in Pollination lunch tote, $15
12/05/2025

Golden Poppy in Pollination lunch tote, $15

"Chaos on My Mind" lunch tote, $15
12/05/2025

"Chaos on My Mind" lunch tote, $15

For sale: $65, Upcycled Large beige Ann Taylor Vest with Golden Poppy in Pollination printed on it.
12/05/2025

For sale: $65, Upcycled Large beige Ann Taylor Vest with Golden Poppy in Pollination printed on it.

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Santa Cruz, CA

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