Lisa Frank is an American artist and businesswoman, born in 1955, who founded Lisa Frank Incorporated, a company known for its colorful, whimsical designs primarily featured on school supplies and products marketed to children and young adolescents

. She started her career in the 1970s after moving from Michigan to Tucson, Arizona, to study art at the University of Arizona. Initially, she founded a children's jewelry company called Sticky Fingers, which later evolved into Lisa Frank Inc. around 1980

. Lisa Frank's company became famous in the 1980s and 1990s for its vibrant, rainbow-colored designs featuring anthropomorphic animals and fantastical themes, such as pandas and dolphins. The brand's products, including folders, pencil cases, and Trapper Keepers, were hugely popular and generated over $60 million in annual sales at its peak

. The company experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 2010s and 2020s

. Although Lisa Frank was the visionary and founder behind the brand, she did not personally create the iconic artwork. Instead, a team of talented artists and designers brought her creative concepts to life, producing the distinctive and beloved designs associated with the brand

. Lisa Frank has remained a private individual, rarely giving interviews, but as of recent years, she continued to lead the company, with her family involved in its operations

. The story of her business, including its rise and challenges, was featured in the 2024 docuseries "Glitter & Greed: The Lisa Frank Story," which explores both the colorful public image and the complex realities behind the scenes

. In summary, Lisa Frank is best known as the founder and creative force behind a hugely influential brand of colorful children's products that became a cultural icon of the late 20th century.