When asked by his parents what he wanted to be when he grew up, five-year-old Eric Gjerde replied, "a paperologist." Throughout his childhood and adolescence he enjoyed paper crafts and origami. After preparing for a technology career, Eric kept looking for an artistic outlet to balance his creative side with his professional life. He returned to his childhood love of paper and discovered a deeper appreciation for the beauty of origami by exploring and researching new areas of folding--including the geometric art of origami tessellations. He currently balances dual careers as a technology professional and as an artist in Minneapolis.