Member Spotlight: Katie Reeves
Name and Title:
Katie Reeves, Owner of ktcreative, Boutique Marketing Agency
Hometown:
Tuscaloosa, AL {Roll Tide!}
What inspired you to pursue a career in graphic design and marketing?
I have always been a creative person and in college pursued a degree in business with a concentration in marketing. I discovered in one of my classes an enjoyment for graphic design.
Describe your creative process. What are the major steps?
One of the first places I start is to listen to my clients. I haven’t quite mastered mind-reading skills, so this is essential. Hearing their vision, what they like and don’t like will give me a good starting point. My next step is to, as Winnie the Pooh said, “Think. Think. Think.”– turning over the project in my mind and looking for inspiration. My last step is to start working! Sometimes I get the most inspired when I see the design elements start to come together.
What brands do you most admire and how do they influence your work?
I’m inspired by the big brands like Apple, Amazon, and Whole Foods, but I’m also inspired by smaller brands that are pushing the envelope and trying new things. I’m obsessed with Pinterest and have many many Pinterest boards filled with all kinds of ideas.
Which graphic design piece are you most proud of, and why?
This is SUCH a hard question to answer! I’m honestly proud of all the work I’ve done and to pick just one is asking a lot! If you’re twisting my arm, though, I would say I’m *most* proud of some special publication design work done for The Thomasville Townie and the Thomasville Center for the Arts. In 2016 and 2017, my work received third place in special publication design from the Georgia Press Association.
Why did you join FPRA?
I joined FPRA because I see it as an amazing opportunity to network with other professionals.
How do you find your balance with work and family?
Balance, what’s that? Seriously, this is one of the hardest tasks as an entrepreneur. There are days when your kids are sick, have field trips, or are out of school for a holiday, and on those days — even with an office outside of the house — it is definitely a challenge to get things done for clients. My trick to handling this is what I would call “strict flexibility,” which I know seems like a contradiction. What I mean is that I try my best to plan ahead, be organized, and get things done during “work time.” The flexibility part is essential as a parent because things with kids can change really fast and sometimes you just have to roll with it.