Meet Kat Marshello
Kat is a creative soul who I had the pleasure of meeting through our local neighborhood of West Seattle!
From design to art directing to photography, seeing her work has been a delight. I'm so glad she's willing to share a bit more about her background experience.
We did some portfolio and branding photos together, and this spotlight is a fun way for me to share some of those while shining a light on her work too!
How would you describe what you do?
As a designer and art director, I specialize in creating captivating visuals across a variety of mediums—from bold brand identities to engaging print and digital experiences.
I'm passionate about collaborating with inspired small businesses, nonprofits, and organizations to bring their visions to life through thoughtful, impactful design.
How did you decide to focus on this area of work?
Growing up, I always loved making art—drawing, crafting & exploring new mediums. In high school, a Photoshop class introduced me to graphic design, and it felt like the perfect way to channel my creative skills into a meaningful career.
What inspired you to go full time in this business/career?
After being laid off from a job that wasn't the right fit, I saw it as an opportunity to create my own path. I was inspired to start my independent design studio, building it around life/work balance, self care, and a commitment to collaborating with purpose-driven clients who share my values.
Over the years, I've designed for organizations doing important work in areas like food justice, support services for people experiencing homelessness, STEM education for underserved students, and so much more. I’m proud to help amplify their missions through thoughtful, vibrant design.
What advice or tips would you like to share for those considering this career path?
Be your authentic self and embrace your unique gifts & perspective! Don’t be afraid to do things differently and prioritize what matters most—whether that's more time with loved ones, passion projects outside of work, or aligning your career with your values.
Running a small business requires a lot of resilience and creativity, but finding like-minded communities, experimenting with marketing strategies and creating supportive business systems can make all the difference.
What's a great way for people to connect with you to learn more?
Check out my website, katmarshello.com, to explore my portfolio & learn more about my design services.
Behind the Scenes
Super happy to share that Kat also photographed me in action during our session together. It shows a little bit about the creative collaboration process! And, we created a series of photos perfect for a custom gif of products moving too. This is one way to make product photos more engaging to share (visit her website to see it in action). And you can see and review her experience and advice too on her post, "Behind the scenes: photo magic"!