About the Designer

Hello, my name is Kaity.

I am a communications professional, with a passion for human-centered design. I am a Freelance Designer and the Creative Director at Transcending Strategy.

My work spans mediums including digital, print, education, writing, and interiors.

I love travel, fiction, my cats, tattoos, and eating recreationally.
Amongst other things.

  • 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.

    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, crushing Honour mode on Baldur’s Gate 3, 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.

Creative Director { Transcending AI Strategy }

Worked collaboratively with business owner and director to create and develop creative and comprehensive digital marketing and business growth strategies for a variety of client companies with a focus on emerging AI technologies.

Extensive research and development of multiple AI-focused technologies, including generative AI, LLMS, and chatbot technologies.

Junior Interior Designer & Project Manager { Dina Bandman Interiors }

Created iterative furnishings floor plans, cabinetry, stonework, and plumbing elevations, and other technical drawings in AutoCAD.

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.

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.

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

Interested in collaborating?

I am currently taking on new projects of all kinds!

Please contact me by emailing k.astraelis(at)gmail.com.

Be sure to include the name of your business, your referral source, and a brief description of your project. I look forward to working with you!

    Contact Kaity

    Wanna talk design? I know I do.

    I am now accepting new clients for brand development, UI/UX, web design, interior design, and more! Please feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, requests, etc. and I'll be happy to get back to you asap.

      Contact Kaity

      Wanna talk design? I know I do.

      I am now accepting new clients for brand development, UI/UX, web design, interior design, and more! Please feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, requests, etc. and I'll be happy to get back to you asap.