kate lawler
graphic designer,
marketer,
creative
Hey, I'm Kate! I'm a senior at Columbia College Chicago where I major in Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing. I believe that while graphic design is aesthetically nice to look at, on a deeper level, its purpose is to visually communicate messages and serve as a functional medium. I also believe that through the combination of design and marketing, businesses have a higher potential to achieve their goals and stand out against the crowd.
During my time at Columbia, I've gained the skills needed to make an impact in these fields. In my courses, working professionals and industry leaders have taught me: design thinking and principles, industry-standard design software, typography, iconography, publication design, packaging design, environmental design, web design, branding, marketing basics and research, how to develop a marketing plan, digital media strategies, advertising basics, and more (I've learned a whole lot!). In Graphic Design III, my instructor and graphic designer at MSI Chicago led a semester-long branding project where I developed a sustainable brand and its mission/guidelines from scratch, followed by designing its identity, products, and advertisement. This class fueled my passion for all things branding!
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My current goal as I approach graduation is to find an internship or entry-level position in the field of graphic design and/or marketing so that I can put my creativity, skillset, and experience to work. My dream is to work for an agency or studio to create designs and help businesses shine. Although I'm always excited to work and collaborate with people from any industry! I hope to incorporate some of my interests into my work as well, including: arts and crafts, music, film and video editing, photography, writing, fashion, animals, activism, and psychology/mental health. My passion is fueled when I'm able to apply my work to the things I love!
I was formally introduced to graphic design in high school, and I remember thinking- I'm going to make this my career one day. It was in that class that I realized graphic design was what I was meant to do. Growing up, art was always my thing. I was always drawing, painting, or crafting something together with whatever materials I collected for my never-ending creative ideas (I still am, and I have a mess of supplies). As a Gen-Z kid, technology became second nature, and I soon began to express my creativity digitally. So, it only makes sense that I've learned how to apply my love for the arts through the functional medium of graphic design. My canvas and paintbrush have taken the shape of an artboard and pen tool, and I'm so happy that I can make a career with them!