About the Designer
Hello, my name is Kaity.
I am a communications professional, with a passion for human-centered design.
My work spans mediums including interiors, print, and digital.
I love travel, fiction, my cats, tattoos, and eating recreationally.
Amongst other things.
Full Bio Here
I fell in love with design while working on InDesign CS2 as the editor in chief of my high school yearbook, and have now been a professional designer for the better part of a decade. I have worked the full spectrum of design positions: from freelancer, to agency, to in-house designer.
Most notably, I worked as a designer, head of digital media, and letterpress apprentice at MATTER in Denver. It was here that I had the honor of learning from and working for Rick Griffith and Debra Johnson, two of the top designers and letterpress printers in the United States. I also studied letterpress and bookbinding under David Ashley, a master calligrapher who learned his craft from legends such as Herman Zapf.
I have recently expanded my repertoire of design mediums to include interior and experiential design. To expand my creative arsenal, I worked as a Junior Designer and Project Manager for AD Designer Dina Bandman in San Francisco.
Under the name Starwell Interiors, my colleague Merry and I offer interior design and consulting services for residential clients in the bay area and beyond! You can find more about Starwell at our website starwellinteriors.com
My design philosophy is rooted in the gestaltist notion that bringing together a variety of approaches, mediums and methods yields design which is meaningful and genuinely unique.
When I’m not working on a design project of some kind or other, you can find me listening to horror, sci-fi, and fantasy audiobooks and podcasts with my cats, having 4 hour long phone conversations about philosophy with my Mom, obsessing about my plants, or eating the best and weirdest food I can find with my favorite chef & husband Arun.
Work Experience
Independent Designer { Astraelis Design }
Created, developed, and maintained communications for a variety of clients in a spectrum of mediums including: brand identity, internet and other digital media, and print and POS.
Clients included individuals such as artisans, musicians, and medical professionals; as well as small-to-medium sized businesses, non-profits, and government organizations.
Junior Interior Designer & Project Manager { Dina Bandman Interiors }
Oversaw and directed the organization and execution of high-end, residential interior design projects under the creative direction of AD 100 Designer, Dina Bandman.
Created iterative furnishings floor plans, cabinetry, stonework, and plumbing elevations, and other technical drawings in AutoCAD.
Sourcing and ordering of furnishings, fixtures, and materials such as fabrics, leathers, metals, and wall coverings from a variety of trade sources.
Attended and oversaw furnishings and construction installations and vendor site visits. Conducted site visits to take measurements, site images and videos, and collect client input.
Developed and implemented new internal presentation and organizational templates to elevate the client experience and improve efficiency.
Provided effective and positive leadership to other Junior Designers and Design Assistants to ensure cohesive and consistent team communication and project coordination.
Interior Design Consultant { RH }
Designed single and multi-room projects for residential clients as part of the in-house interior design team. Responsible for floor-plan design, furniture and materials selections, as well as ordering and installation oversight.
Managed projects and vetted incoming clients, including scope development, budgeting, and project timeline coordination. Ran engaging and dynamic client design presentations.
Supported interior design trade clients through advanced, technical product knowledge, and efficient systems oriented processes.
Designer, Head of Digital Media, Apprentice Letterpress Printer { MATTER }
Overhauled and developed systems and strategies for the web department at the studio.
Art directed all web-related projects; from planning, scoping, and content direction, to UX strategy and UI design, to directing developers and/or development.
Worked as a key member of the MATTER team on multi-media projects including: brand strategy & design, ad campaigns, product designs, etc.
Operated the Vandercook and C&P letterpresses at weekly studio events.
Visual Designer { BUHV Designs }
Worked with a small team of web designers, digital marketing experts and content writers. Primarily responsible for synthesizing content and design elements into interface mock-ups for development. Designed logos and visual brand identity guidelines. Clients include local and national companies and organizations.
Graphic & Web Designer { Transcending Creative }
Developed and maintained WordPress websites, created logos and designed advertisements for 50+ small to medium sized businesses in the Denver area.
Graphic Design Intern { Old Chicago Corporate }
Assisted the graphics department in the production of a variety of print and web media for all 150+ nationwide Old Chicago locations.
Graphic Designer { Caffè Sole }
Created, developed and maintained a new brand identity and all related print POS and advertising materials.
Education
Bachelor of Arts: Graphic & Web Design { The Art Institute of Colorado }
Summa Cum Laude, GPA 4.0
Winner of the AIC Student of the Quarter Award: Fall 2016