We recently connected with Kat Altman and have shared our conversation below.

Kat, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work. It’s been a journey of evolution, persistence, and strategic growth.

I began my career as a motion designer for a tech startup, which gave me a strong foundation in both UX and visual storytelling. From there, I made the leap to New York City and began my freelance career. Early on, I balanced contract roles with agency work to build my network, sharpen my skills, and stabilize my income. One pivotal moment was working with Mustache, a Brooklyn-based agency, where I collaborated on high-profile campaigns for brands like Netflix and Hulu. That experience helped me land additional freelance opportunities with companies like Barilla and Google.

At the same time, I launched my own independent studio, studiokat, where I’ve been freelancing full-time since 2017. Building a reputation for delivering thoughtful, high-quality motion graphics and illustration helped me maintain a steady stream of clients. Over the years, I also contracted with other studios and agencies like Vidico and Hayden5, diversifying my portfolio and expanding my reach.

It wasn’t smooth from day one. In the beginning, I had to hustle to land consistent work and learn how to manage client relationships, timelines, and scope. But I treated each opportunity as a stepping stone, learning how to deliver not just creative solutions, but clarity and reliability as a creative partner.

Looking back, I could’ve possibly sped up the process by focusing earlier on building a stronger online presence and leaning into personal branding. Still, every stage helped shape my approach and values as a creative. Now, I have the flexibility to choose projects aligned with my style and principles and that’s been the most rewarding part of the journey.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Kat, a motion designer, illustrator, and visual storyteller based in Brooklyn, NY. With over a decade of experience, I help brands communicate with clarity and emotional resonance through thoughtful, story-driven design. 

I started my career at a tech startup, where I discovered how powerful animation could be in simplifying complex ideas and humanizing digital experiences. That discovery led me to NYC, where I launched my freelance career and later founded my independent studio, studiokat. Since then, I’ve worked with clients like Netflix, Google, Hulu, and Barilla, and agencies here in Brooklyn and globally. Creating animated campaigns, branded illustration systems, and UI motion that bring their stories to life. My approach blends strategy and craft. 

I’m always thinking about how visuals can solve communication problems while leaving a lasting impact. What sets my work apart is a deep listening process, a love of narrative, and a commitment to visuals that feel intentional and alive. 

I’m most proud of my resilience in an ever-changing industry. I have adapted and prioritized different facets of my skills based on what was needed in the different industries I work in. I am also proud of how I’ve built trust and a solid design reputation with clients and collaborators, and of the work we’ve created together that doesn’t just look good, but works hard to connect, clarify, and inspire.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the opportunity to solve problems in a way that’s both functional and beautiful. I love the challenge of taking a complex idea or communication need and transforming it into something visually clear, engaging, and effective. There’s something deeply satisfying about knowing that the work I create not only looks good but also serves a real purpose for clients and audiences. Beyond that, I feel incredibly lucky to wake up every day genuinely excited to work. That sense of curiosity and passion fuels everything I do and reminds me that I’ve built a creative practice aligned with both my values and my strengths.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Looking back, I wish I had discovered certain resources earlier in my creative journey, especially online motion graphics courses like those from Ben Marriott and School of Motion. They offer such practical, industry-relevant skills that would have fast-tracked a lot of my early learning. I also wish I had started building connections on LinkedIn sooner. It’s been a powerful tool for finding opportunities, sharing work, and staying connected to a creative community. Smaller, more intimate conferences, particularly those focused on women in business, have also been incredibly valuable. They offer not just inspiration, but real talk, mentorship, and a sense of belonging that’s hard to find in larger industry spaces. I think tapping into those kinds of communities and learning resources earlier would have made a huge difference in both confidence and career momentum.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studiokat.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiokatco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kataltman/
• Other: https://dribbble.com/studiokat