We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kate Thomas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kate, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I originally learned graphic design at community college and that really helped me realize that I wanted to focus on that for my undergrad. After 4 years at CalArts, I had earned my BFA in graphic design but was feeling a bit burnt out on the idea of constantly networking to get a full-time job at a design firm. I ultimately decided to go to grad school at MCAD and that is where I really developed my current practice of design and calligraphy based collage. Grad school really opened up the possibility of mixing media and being in a studio with painters and illustrators inspired me to make things with my hands rather than working strictly digitally. I honestly don’t think there was anything I could have done to speed up my learning process because I am currently working with knowledge that included years of failure, rejections and regrouping. I wouldn’t be making the work I make now if I had been 100% successful and fulfilled with graphic design straight out of undergrad. To clarify, I don’t think everyone needs to go to school to iron out your interests and creative process but you do need to surround yourself with talented people (online or in-person) that will challenge and encourage you. My biggest obstacle specifically in learning calligraphy is that I am left-handed and a lot of the tools for calligraphy are tailored for right-handed people. It wasn’t until I found the right tools, through trial and error, that I realized I could actually work with ink to achieve a style I liked.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I remember as a kid saying “I want to be pretty good at a lot of things rather than really good and one thing” and that is basically true for me as an adult. Having a solid foundation in graphic design principles has unlocked a lot of opportunity for me because I’m not limited to simply knowing the Adobe Creative Suite but how to see things differently and solve problems creatively. Because of that I have addressed envelopes for wedding invites, designed product packaging for Ulta, provided lettering for magazine covers, created wall art sold via Etsy, made a line of greeting cards that sold in shops across the US and now I’m working as a designer for Shutterfly. I pick up projects that interest me and I create projects that I want to see in the marketplace. They don’t always go viral but they are successful to me if they meet my client’s brief or if I felt some joy in creating a personal passion project.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

“In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs” by Grace Bonney “Ways of Seeing” by John Berger
“Hand Job: A Type Catalog” by Mike Perry
“Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic” by Lisa Congdon

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

Seeing your work in public is always exciting, especially if it’s on a billboard or marquee. It’s also fun when you work with non-creatives and they truly cannot understand how you made something or how to work so fast. They’ll call you a wizard but really it’s several years of schooling that has condensed into that 45 minute turnaround time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.helloimkate.com
• Instagram: @_hello_im_kate_
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/helloimkate