We asked Kat, our creative director, three questions about design.
1. What’s design for you?
I’ve been in the design industry for 19 years – more than half of my life – looking at my work and everything around me through the lens of visual aesthetics and user experience. It is both a blessing and a bit of a curse because I tend to use the same approach whether it’s a client’s website, my personal living space, an app, a menu, or a street corner. My mind analyzes everything I see and challenges me to come up with a way to make it look better and more user-friendly. I’m not ashamed to admit that I use Adobe illustrator to put pictures on the walls and all my kitchen utensils are color-coordinated.
2. What kind of designer are you?
I’m a creative generalist and a recovering workaholic. I started in print, moved on to web design, tried myself in casual games, and then got into UI/UX when it became popular. In my spare time, I do digital art, photography, and illustration which have all helped me broaden my horizons and made me a stronger, more creative designer.
When I design, I always look at the big picture to see how my work will fit into the overall strategy and I scrutinize every idea, consider all possible scenarios, and push myself to think of a creative solution that works. Currently, what I enjoy the most is designing the agency itself – building the processes, nurturing the culture, and further developing my talented team.
3. How does design change the world?
I feel grateful that the work I do has such a direct impact on so many people because I believe that good design makes us all better humans. You don’t have to be a designer to appreciate well-designed spaces, books, packaging, signs, or digital experiences because they just make sense and are pleasant to look at.
It may even come on a subconscious level to some but interacting with well-designed objects can improve our experiences and make us kinder to others. Owning something that is well-designed speaks to prestige, good taste, intelligence, and social status. And, if you’re a brand, good design builds trust with your audience.
In my ideal world, good design is not optional because it makes life easier, nicer, more civilized, and builds culture.
