Swiss Army Knife.
Functional. Innovative. Uncompromising and consistent quality. Made with care. The companion you can count on. Armed with knowledge and able to hop on that project when you need it. I’ve got InDesign tips and tricks up my sleeve and bring oodles of print + packaging experience to the table. I’ve also been managing for a few years now. Needless to say, I’m well-rounded and I’ve got the chops. Being deemed a Swiss Army Knife in the workplace has been the most incredible compliment I’ve received. I’m confident in the tools I’ve gained in the first decade of my career and I hope to be able to double them in the future.
I collected troll dolls as a kid. I had over a hundred of them.
Now, I collect memories from hiking trips and traveling. I got engaged in Iceland and married in Zion National Park. My favorite solo trips were hiking under the Milky Way in Moab with a bunch of strangers and trying out new food and wander the streets of Portugal. Adventure runs through my veins, though I’ll never go skydiving again (nothing bad happened, I just hate heights).
In my free time you can find me: Crocheting
and binge watching a new docuseries (it’s almost a guarantee). I love working with my hands when I’m not behind a computer screen - it’s a nice change of pace from working with clients like Milwaukee Tool and Diageo. I’m always on the lookout for new classes to take; I’ve learned how to hand letter & embroider, have learned punch needling, stained glass and mosaic art. Even if fine arts can’t be used in my day-to-day work, I believe in staying curious and active with creative pursuits.
Testimonials @ Core Creative
“Thank you for entrusting our pod to me while you were recovering [from surgery]. I constantly kept your guidance and coaching in mind (‘What Would Katie Do’ became a daily motto), which gave me the confidence to complete projects and keep our pod afloat. You're an incredible manager and I'm thankful for all that you have taught me thus far and I look forward to learning so much more from you. I'm so grateful for your mentorship and friendship!”
-Maddy, Designer III & direct report
“Katie always does a great job making sure the quality of work is where it should be, even on projects that she isn’t necessarily involved in, but could affect her or her team down the road that she is a leader of. I always appreciate the help she provides when she touches projects as she will find that needle in the haystack nine times out of ten and it’s always impressive after years of being at Core.”
-Alex, Design Director
“Besides owning mistakes that may come up, integrity also includes acting ethically and responsibly. Katie is very communicative and concerned with doing thing that is actually right, not just the thing that is correct.”
-Phil, Senior Lead Designer & manager
“Katie is an incredible resource for our team! I wanted to give Katie a shout out for all of the ways she's inspired me to pursue excellence and confidence in my position. She recently hosted a Lunch & Learn on InDesign tables and most of her tips blew my mind. (Don't laugh - I work mostly in Illustrator.) And when I reached out during her busy week to see if I could pick her brain about how to approach high level projects with complex client input, she took the time to patiently let me ask her all the questions and gave me great advice. Her dedication to sharing knowledge and willingness to support her coworkers exemplify all of Core's values. Thanks again, Katie!”
-Caity, Designer III
“Always being supportive and making a real difference on our team. I want to say how much I appreciate working with Katie. Her management approach is thoughtful and supportive, from proofing and day-to-day updates to reviews and goal setting. She's always willing to help, share her knowledge and make time for questions, even when she has a lot on her plate. She was especially helpful during my transition from freelance to full-time. We worked together to identify which processes and VBL [visual brand language] I already knew and which areas we needed to focus on for training, which made the transition much smoother. Recently, I've had quite a few packaging kickoffs. The "Packaging Queen" gave me a solid starting point and has continued to help me build my knowledge through her proofing, insights and references. I really appreciate everything Katie does for our team and for me. Her support makes a big difference.”
-Stacy, Designer II & direct report
“I don't get the pleasure of being on routing with Katie much anymore. I jumped in and all I can say is ‘wow.’ Katie, you are one of the most thorough, detail-oriented, clear and helpful routers, especially with packaging. You obviously know your trade, and it's wonderful seeing you help other team members. I'm really impressed!”
-Sara, former Vice President of Design