Daily Inspiration: Meet Katie Denson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Denson.

Hi Katie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am 23 years old and born and raised in Atlanta. I graduated from the University of South Carolina with my BFA in Graphic Design and currently living in Raleigh attending North Carolina State University to get my Master of Graphic Design. I have been an artist my whole life doing just about any kind of art there is and signing up for art classes and art camps since I was little.

My mom is also an artist and I get all my love for art from her! I have grown up going to art stores with her, testing out all of her supplies, and just watching her work. I got into graphic design once I went to college and realized I could make a career out of doing what I love! I started my Instagram in January 2020 just posting my artwork and things I was working on.

When the pandemic hit in March is when I started the business side! My dad has played a large role in this side of things and has always given me advice and encouragement to keep going and develop new products. I started with just a few sticker designs and have now expanded into stationery, glassware, and apparel.

Every design I create is completely hand-lettered on my iPad, I never use any fonts in my designs!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth journey!

I had no experience with business or product development so there has been tons of experimenting with products and having plenty of flops along the way. It is also an ongoing challenge of balance. Balancing school and business throughout college and graduate school keeps me very busy, to say the least.

I also currently have an internship with the Creative Media team for the NCState football team so keeping up with work, school and the business can get overwhelming and fast!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would just categorize myself as a Creative overall! I do everything from drawing, graphic design, illustration, and product design but I am most well known for my hand lettering.

I hand letter positive quotes and happy words on my Instagram account as well as hand letter every design that appears on all of my products in my Etsy shop. I do most of my art on my iPad in the program Procreate with my Apple Pencil. I think what sets me apart is my colorful aesthetic!

I started with brand colors like a normal business would and did all my designs with variations of those but I found that it limited me as a creative. I now create posts and products with any and all colors and my feed and shop could not be more happy and bright!

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think over the past few years social media marketing has skyrocketed and I think it will just keep growing.

Having a consistent social media presence will be key to running a successful small business and being present on multiple platforms (Instagram, Tik Tok, Pinterest, etc.).

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Portfolio Website: katiedensondesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiedensondesigns/
• Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KatieDensonDesigns?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1128463221&section_id=36053286