Who is Eric Nyamor?

Who is ...

Eric Nyamor?

Brief	Erihii Nyamor (aka Eric) keeps things grounded and real while being one of the team’s biggest dreamers. His anime-influenced art adds both vibrance and credibility to the project. Since the launch, he’s played a key role in artistic and character development.
Core Personality Traits & Values	Eric combines his passion for storytelling with a strong belief in the transformative power of art. He’s both a visionary and a collaborator, using creativity to connect and inspire.
Archetype	The Creator
Motto	"No matter how hard or impossible it is, never lose sight of your goals."
Collaboration Background	Erihii has been creating dynamic art and characters for as long as he can remember. His recent projects include collaborations with the Nashville Black Market and illustrations for children's books across Tennessee.
Latest Work	Linked below you'll find Erihii's Instagram for the latest on work and appearances. Further info can also be found on his "I Can Draw" website. The Yas x Yen IG is a production journal of Nyamor's graphic novel in progress.

The Call to Adventure: Eric’s Early Journey

Erihii Nyamor, born in Grand Rapids to Nigerian parents, discovered his love for art at an early age. His passion for drawing often got him into trouble, but it was his unwavering determination to create that set him apart.

From sketching his early characters to collaborating with authors and local creatives, Erihii’s journey as an artist was always fueled by his vibrant imagination and desire to inspire through his work.

Trials and Triumphs: Erihii’s Rise

As Erihii continues his artistic journey, he stands at the threshold of a new chapter. Having faced the trials and tribulations that shaped his path, he is now more determined than ever to push the boundaries of his creativity. His work, infused with a blend of cultural pride and imaginative flair, continues to inspire those around him.

With each new project, Erihii not only hones his craft but also empowers others to find their own artistic voice. His journey has been one of growth, resilience, and transformation, but the ultimate adventure lies ahead—one where he fully realizes his potential and leaves an enduring legacy in the creative world.

The Final Ascent: Erihii’s Path to Legacy

Erihii now stands at the threshold of a new chapter. After facing the trials that shaped his path, he’s more determined than ever to push his creative limits. His work, rich with cultural pride and imagination, continues to inspire.

With each project, Erihii sharpens his craft and empowers others to discover their artistic voice. His journey has been one of growth and resilience, but the greatest adventure lies ahead—where he fully realizes his potential and leaves a lasting legacy.

Let’s Collaborate!

Let's Collaborate

Yaz x Yen is Erihii's current graphic novel project.

Yas is an emo angel from Paradise. Unlike most angels, she’s a badass. She cusses, listens to metal, and loves dark clothing.

Yen is a demon from the Phantom Realm. Unlike most demons, she’s a softie. She’s kind, likes fairies, and loves sunflowers.

Sunflowers do not grow in the Phantom Realm, so Yen goes to Purgatory to pick some. There, she meets Yas, and the two form an unlikely bond.

Related Studio Cards

Who is…
John Golden?

Who is John Golden?

Summary Traits

John is a master illustrator who can take any transform any idea into illustrative magic. He is the owner of his own independent art studio, the Mortal Mirror Studio, and he was one of the early participating artists for Made Collaborative, his art featured in both Issues 1 and 2 of the Back of the Yards comic series.

Core Personality Traits & Values

John is smart, creative and always open for a new challenge. He hails from the great state of New York, moved to the windy city of Chicago, ending up where he is today in the mountain tops of Colorado, where he continues to apply his creativity to new creative projects. And if you'd like to collaborate with him, just hit the "Let's Collaborate" button on the left to start the conversation!

Archetype

The Magician

Motto

TBD

John's Projects

TBD

Debut

John started working with Jimmy Briseno and Manny Dominguez in the very early days of this Made Collaborative project back in 2014, during initial meetings with youth in the after school programs of Chicago.

Who is…
Tamia Parker?

12 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Summary

For our second Issue #3 collaboration centered on Tamia Parker - and the final collaboration in this series - we're returning to a transformation that began much earlier in the Studio. Tamia has spent Issue #3 questioning her dreams, her perceptions and what is happening to her. Now we're inviting you to help us explore what she has become, what she finally understands - and what Tamia might say when she is given the final word.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Tamia is extremely bright, curious, introspective and creative. She is an artist at heart, with empathy that forms connections with others in ways that she even doesn’t fully understand yet…

Archetype

The Creator

Motto

“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” - Leonard Cohen

Collaboration Background

Tamia’s character was initially developed during the original Made Collaborative in-person classroom collaborations with youth in the fall and winter of 2013, as part of an after school program in the West-Side of Chicago.

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

Who is…
Jimmy Briseno?

Who is Jimmy Briseno?

Summary

Nothing to see here. Jimmy is ordinary ... check that, he's underordinary. Just made up a word to describe Jimmy. It's fitting.

Core Personality Traits & Values

TBD

Archetype

The Magician

Motto

TBD

Collaboration Background

TBD

Debut

Eric started working with Jimmy Briseno and Manny Dominguez in the very early days of this Made Collaborative project back in 2014, during initial meetings with youth in the after school programs of Chicago.

The Hero’s Journey (Part III)
The Return

Studio Card #6: The Hero’s Journey (Part III) – The Return

Brief

This Studio Card production was developed by the Made Collaborative Studio as part of its comic series the Back of the Yards. With this Studio Card, we present you with a summary of the Hero's Journey, which is a framework that helped many to develop their own creative projects through the centuries and with that, it is our hope this summary may help participating youth with their own creative projects.

When

The Made Collaborative Studio began as a modest grass roots project started by a ragtag group of participating artists in Chicago and was designed to provide a unique collaborative opportunity for after school programs and participating youth from our urban communities.

Who

This Made Collaborative Studio project technically started over 10 years ago as only a kernel of an idea in the mind of the project’s founder on one of his many bus rides home and through much trial and error over the years, evolved into the Made Collaborative Studio virtual model that exists today.

Why

The Made Collaborative Studio was created to help promote creative thought and provide a unique (and free) collaborative experience for afterschool programs and participating youth alike.

All Stories Start With

A Great Character!

08 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Summary

For Issue #3, we're returning to our Create a Character framework - but this time, we're opening the halls of New City High and inviting you to help us populate them. From students and teachers to administrators, friends, rivals and unexpected personalities, we'll use the same creative process introduced earlier in the Studio to build the community surrounding Andre and Tamia. At least two of the characters created through this collaboration will appear in Issue #3 - with the possibility that others may return in stories still to come.

Background

Early in Issue #3, Dex Coleman encounters a young man he doesn't recognize. We know this character will matter to the developing story. What we haven't fully decided is exactly who he is.

This & That

Selected ideas and artwork may be featured through Made Collaborative and considered as we develop the character who ultimately appears in Issue #3. Contributors whose ideas are incorporated into the finished comic will be credited as part of its development.

Who is…
Andre Davis?

09 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Summary

For our second Issue #3 collaboration centered on Andre Davis, we're opening the pages of his notebook—and inviting artists and young creators to help us fill them. Earlier, we explored Andre's emerging abilities and what becoming extraordinary might mean for him. This time, we're turning to his creative side: what might Andre draw, sketch, write or create when no one else is looking? Selected contributions may ultimately appear inside Andre's notebook in the finished comic.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Andre is bright, inquisitive and self-reliant, always searching for the truth and a greater understanding of himself and others … but he may also be susceptible to the trappings of his newfound power …

Archetype

The Hero

Motto

“To dare is to do.”

Collaboration Background

Andre’s character was initially developed during the original Made Collaborative in-person classroom collaborations with youth in the fall and winter of 2013, as part of an after school program in the West-Side of Chicago.

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

And Action!
Create an Illustration!

Action Card #4: Create an Illustration!

Collaboration Summary

With this collaboration series, we will work with aspiring illustrators that may be interested in developing new illustrations that could ultimately be incorporated into our Back of the Yards comic series!

Collaboration Background

When we began this project, it was based on a simple premise that all of us have the ability to be creative. However, we also recognize that this creativity can come in many different forms and with that, some of you may actually be talented illustrators. So it is that with this Action Card collaboration series, we will present you with opportunities to submit your illustrations by providing you with possible comic scenes, newly developed characters and/or other comic settings to choose from, all updated regularly!

This & That

Action Card cover illustrated by Andrew Dimmett. Content developed by Jimmy Briseno, Len Kody and … you? Learn more on how by linking to the QR Code above.

Who is…
Andre Davis?

03 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Summary

For Issue #3, we're opening the next stage of Andre Davis' - our comic's first created character during those early classroom collaborations - journey through collaboration. As Andre's abilities begin to emerge, we're inviting you to help us explore what he can do, how those changes affect him, and what becoming something extraordinary might ultimately mean for him.

Core Personality Traits & Values

Archetype

The Hero

Motto

“To dare is to do.”

Collaboration Background

Debut

Issue #1 of the Back of the Yards comic series

Who is…
Carl Castaneda?

07 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Summary

For Issue #3, we're opening the mysterious world of Carl Castañeda - and Room 23 - to collaboration. Castañeda has quietly connected the journeys of Andre, Tamia and others from the beginning, but much about who he is, what he knows and the strange space known as Room 23 remains unexplored. We're inviting you to help us imagine what lies inside Room 23, what purpose it serves, and what it might reveal about Castañeda and the larger forces shaping the world of Back of the Yards.

Core Personality Traits & Values

He clearly knows more than what he is saying, but the best teachers do not give they answers but merely point the way.

Primary Archetype

The Mentor

Motto

“Your dreams are part of the same primal energy that brings all existence into being!”

Collaboration Background

Mr. Castañeda is a character developed by Len Kody. He is a way of tying the various narratives and characters created by the first wave of participating youth as part of an after school program in the West-Side of Chicago.

Debut

Issue #2 of the Back of the Yards comic series

The Hero’s Journey (Part II)
Initiation

Studio Card #5: The Hero’s Journey (Part II) – Initiation

Brief

In the first part of the Hero’s Journey, the hero answered the call and stepped into the unknown. Now comes the real test. This stage—Initiation—is where the hero is challenged, pushed, and transformed.

Scope

The middle of the journey is where things get messy. The hero faces trials, enemies, and obstacles that test their strength and resolve. But they also find allies—unexpected friendships that help them push forward. Every challenge brings them closer to who they need to become, preparing them for the greatest test still to come.

This & That

The Made Collaborative has developed a storytelling framework rooted in timeless methods. Through this process, urban youth and professional collaborators alike have shaped Back of the Yards. Now, it’s your turn. Dive into the journey, add your voice, and your work could even be featured in a future issue of the comic

My Skill

Web Designer 50%

Who is Eric Nyamor?

The Call to Adventure: Eric’s Early Journey

Trials and Triumphs: Erihii’s Rise

The Final Ascent: Erihii’s Path to Legacy

Let’s Collaborate!

Table of Contents

Related Studio Cards

Who is John Golden?

12 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Who is Jimmy Briseno?

Studio Card #6: The Hero’s Journey (Part III) – The Return

08 | Issue #3 Collaborations

09 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Action Card #4: Create an Illustration!

03 | Issue #3 Collaborations

07 | Issue #3 Collaborations

Studio Card #5: The Hero’s Journey (Part II) – Initiation

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork

Submit Your Artwork