ABOUT ME

I am truly blessed—working in graphic design and art direction . . . I truly LOVE what I do! 

BIOGRAPHY

The youngest of seven. Mother of two. AKA Grammy K! Creative to the bone! 

In essence, I'm a lover of all things nature. I exude boundless energy and love to learn and enjoy new experiences. A foodie—creating from what's on hand, from my garden's bounty or by foraging. I love travel, exploring, going on adventures, and have a long list of places to see. I'm a skier, cyclist, avid hiker, animal lover and knowledge seeker. I am one busy lady, and that's how I like it! 

Contact me—I'd like to learn more about you. : )

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Highly conceptual art director/graphic designer/typographer with outstanding aesthetic acumen and just the right amount of passion. Extensive experience working with advertising agencies and as a freelance partner on business-to-business and business-to-consumer—print, digital and broadcast for top 100 corporations (diverse industries), right on down to the smallest non-profits. Analyzes input, data, strategy and competition, then collaborates with/energizes entire team to produce award-winning advertising, collateral, brand identity, web/digital/social, direct mail, outdoor—you name it. And loves every minute of it!

• Fearlessly and consistently provides innovative, stunning creative that makes an emotional connection with the audience, increase sales, fundraise and build brands.
• Work quickly, while ensuring world-class quality on assignments with little direction.
• Strong leadership skills to oversee/supervise the work of other artists and creative resources.
• Simultaneously manage multiple projects from concept through completion on time, on brand and on budget.
• Excellent team player—collaborate with ease and a sense of humor. Let's make work fun!
• Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat—proficient to expert. Drag and drop CMS or collaborate with web developer to build sites from scratch. Microsoft Office and Apple iWork. Project management applications. 

EMPLOYMENT

2019 – Present | Graphic Designer | Foodlink Inc.  | Rochester, NY

Foodlink is the regional food bank that serves 10 counties in the finger lakes region of New York. The most loved brand I've ever worked on. We do so much more than food banking! With a fleet of mobile markets, the first mobile WIC market in the U.S., a cafe, a chef training program, more than 300 member agencies, pop-up pantries, meal programs, nutrition education, catering—I could go on!

• I am the only graphic designer on staff. I work collaboratively with my team and our programs on business-to-business, business-to-consumer and retail projects. 
• From concept through production, I collaboratively create advertising, social media, design spaces (most recently our volunteer center), signage, take photos, wrap the fleet, build out themed events, annual reports and other collateral, and so much more. I've been known to help out in the production kitchen, sort food and work food distributions well! 
  
• I feel great about this amazing work—feeding/educating our community! I really love working to better my community.

2014 – Present | Freelance Creative Director/Art Director/Graphic Designer 

• Continuously network/market to build client base while managing existing relationships.
• Work with clients onsite or remotely. By estimate, hourly or negotiated rate.
• Put together teams and manage work flow while producing disruptive/effective creative.

2008 – 2014 | Senior Art Director | Brand Cool Marketing | Rochester, NY 

• Key creative collaborator at a Certified B Corporation—a community of leaders driving a global
  movement of people using business as a force for good.
•  Branded/rebranded small to mid-size companies, increasing their brand awareness and profits.
• Team created most everything from the ground up for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), a multi-million dollar account—volumes of print, digital, broadcast, programs and tactics.

2004 – 2008 | Freelance Creative Director/Art Director/Graphic Designer | Katherine M. Warner, Inc.

• Freelance art direction for agencies throughout the U.S. and directly with my own clients. 
•  Clients included Proctor & Gamble, Hewlett-Packard, Xerox, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, QED Technologies, Flexitallic, Vincent & Associates, Consumer Electronic Society, Garlock, Davie Kaplan, Wegmans, St. John Fisher College, The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, Kavod Clinic, Flour City Bakery, NYS Assemblyman Joe Morelle

2001 – 2004 | Art Director | Roberts Communications | Rochester, NY  

• Created effective advertising, collateral, direct mail, web sites, logos and corporate identity. Negotiated and purchase photography and illustration. Supervised art resources through production.  
• Clients included Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, MasterCard, HSBC, Xerox Corporation, American Express, Greater Rochester Visitors Association, Eldersource.
  

1994 – 2001 | Art Director/Associate Art Director/Senior Production Designer | Saatchi & Saatchi/Rumrill Hoyt | Rochester, NY

• Successfully worked my way up the ranks in a very competitive, world-class advertising agency. 
•  Collaborated and grew with stellar talent and leadership on brands such as Dupont Corporation, Eastman Kodak Company, Bausch & Lomb, Alcatel, Delta Airlines.

AWARDS

• Art-directed the “Row Crop” direct-mail campaign for DuPont Agricultural Products that won ECHO Leader Award, International Direct Marketing Association, Direct Best 2000, Best of Show for Upper New York, NAMA (National Agricultural Marketing Association).
• Associate Art Director on “Body Parts,” DuPont corporate advertising campaign that won Addy and Best of Show.
• Art-directed a Xerox direct-mail piece that won a 2003 Addy.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Nazareth Academy. Art. Regents diploma. 
• RIT. Coursework with a focus on printing and production.
• Emotional Intelligence courses. Learned techniques to stay grounded and focused in the most challenging situations for greater effectiveness, productivity, and success.
• Organizational development coursework.
  
• Operational safety
• Sexual harassment
• Wellness/first aid
• Mental health awareness
• Narcan

INTERESTS

• Care for injured raptors and other wild life at Wild Wings Sanctuary and Nature Center—docent and handler.
• LifeSpan Friendly Calling Volunteer
• Rochester Storybook Project. Created brand identity and collateral for this organization that makes it possible for the incarcerated to read storybooks to their children. The books and CDs of the parent reading aloud are sent to their children. Win/win!
• Board member for various secular and non-secular organizations over the years.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ME

"You can count on her for disruptive ideas, stunning design, excellent taste and a never say die spirit. She is a great talent and a marvelous person." Marilyn Lewis, President, Partners+Lewis

"Kathy is an extremely hard-working and collaborative team player—always willing to go the extra mile to provide the best work possible, on time and on budget. She continually brings fresh creative with genuine excitement—that kind of passion is infectious." Emily Neal, Account Executive

"Lover of life. Always positive and open to new ideas. Always on target with creative. Wonderfully creative! Works very diligently and efficiently especially if time and budget are minimal. A wealth of experience and knowledge. Can do it all pretty much!"  Lissa Mathis, Senior Art Director, Brand Cool

"She is the fastest designer I’ve ever worked with; she produces beautiful, elegant pieces quickly and efficiently, providing us with materials that are pleasing to our audience and appropriate to our budget. I highly recommend her for any project." Matthew Townsend, Communications Missioner, Episcopal Diocese of Rochester