Alicen moved to Maine with her family in 1995 from San Francisco, California seeking affordable housing and less traffic, but not necessarily warmer weather. Alicen has been practicing graphic design since 1981 and graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in Applied Art and Design/Graphic Design.

With diploma in hand, Alicen worked in California at The Oakland Museum and at Gensler & Associates Architects, and in New York City she worked for Lerner/The Limited Shops. She has worked freelance at a wide variety of firms such as Landor Associates, McKesson Corporation, Primo Angeli, The North Face, Smith & Hawken, and in Portsmouth, Brown & Co. Since 1995, her clients have included Jane Inc., Sumner Davis Architects, The Kane Company, York County Community College and New Hampshire Audubon.