Getting Started

Kate Walker

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into graphic design?

I’m from a small Channel Island called Alderney, where I spent most of my childhood immersed in creativity. As someone with dyslexia and ADD, being hands-on and imaginative always came naturally. It was the one space in school that felt intuitive and exciting.

My introduction to graphic design came during my Art & Design BTEC at college. At first, it didn’t click, the idea of creating on a computer felt unfamiliar, even a bit detached from the messy, tactile joy I found in painting with whatever materials I could find. But after a few classes, I began to see the magic in it. I discovered how design software could become a tool, not a limitation. One that allowed me to translate the textures and materials I loved into digital forms with their own kind of beauty.

That realisation led me to study graphic design more deeply at Southampton University, where I learned not only the rules of design, but also how to break them with intention.

What inspires your design style and creative process?

When it comes to my design style, I wouldn’t say I’ve found one fixed identity, and honestly, I’m not sure I ever will. But that’s the beauty of it. Many creatives feel the same way, while we might not see a defined style in our own work, others often recognize a consistent thread from day one. I enjoy experimenting across different aesthetics depending on the needs of each project. In my own time, I’m drawn to minimalism for its intelligent, thoughtful approach, but I also love leaning into rustic, textured styles that feel warm, human, and deeply relatable.

What is consistent is my creative process. I follow the same structure with every project to ensure nothing is overlooked and the work develops at a pace that matches the client’s goals. Skipping steps might sound tempting, but trust me, that’s how you end up in what I call “the black hole of doom.”

Are there any tools and techniques you’re particularly drawn to right now?

Lately, I’ve been using Procreate during the idea generation stage of my process, and it’s been a game changer. It offers the flexibility I used to get from sketchbooks and tracing paper, only faster and more intuitive. I used to layer tracing paper over early concepts to rework them into stronger designs, and now I can do that seamlessly on the iPad. It’s sped up my workflow without compromising creativity.

Outside of digital design, I spend a lot of time oil painting. Recently, I developed a brand around my paintings, which includes photographing them and digitising the imagery to use as assets across the brand.

You’ve worked on brand concepts, what makes a brand identity meaningful to you?

I know a brand identity is coming together when I feel a genuine physical reaction, goosebumps on the back of my neck, a lump in my throat. That’s when I know the design means something. For me, that moment happens when everything clicks, the concept, the colours, the typography, all working in harmony to tell a brand’s story in a way that feels intelligent, intentional, and emotionally resonant.

What makes a brand meaningful is that emotional thread. It’s about discovering imagery and ideas that not only communicate purpose but connect with people in a way they remember.

The best branding feels personal, it lingers in the mind because it resonates with something real.

How do you balance creativity and functionality in your design?

For me, functionality doesn’t restrict creativity, it actually fuels it. The limitations tied to a project’s purpose often become the spark that drives the creative process. Boundaries like target audience, brand interaction, and scalability give me a framework to work within, and from that, ideas begin to form.

When I ask questions like “Who needs to connect with this brand?”, “How versatile does this design need to be?”, or “What’s the clearest way to express this brand’s character visually?”, the answers help shape the direction. It’s within those constraints that the most intelligent design decisions are made.

What’s one project you’re especially proud of, and why?

As a creative, it’s not always easy to pinpoint one project as a standout, we tend to view our work as ever-evolving. But if I had to choose, I’m especially proud of the brand identity I created for DJ Jimbo Jones. The visuals were built around a woman with an afro, a direct nod to Jimbo himself, who had the same iconic look when he first started DJing. It’s that kind of personal detail that made the design feel so relatable.

The bold, trendy aesthetic mirrors the vibe of his music, and I had a lot of fun experimenting with louder colours than I normally get to use. One of my favourite elements was playing with the double Js in his name to echo the form of a musical note, a subtle but meaningful way to tie his sound into the visuals. It’s a project that felt personal, playful, and creatively fulfilling.

Outside of design, what sparks your curiosity or fuels your creativity?

Outside of design, working with oils is one of my biggest creative outlets. I chose this medium because of the way the colours blend, there’s a softness and richness to it that’s hard to replicate. Since oil paint takes its time to dry, I get to keep working and refining until a piece really feels complete. That slow, meditative process is something I find really grounding.

A lot of my inspiration comes from beneath the surface, quite literally. The ocean is a recurring theme in my work. I’m drawn to showing people the beauty in things they might not normally notice, even though they’ve always been there. That idea also feeds into my life drawing practice. It’s something we all have in common, the human form, yet it often goes unspoken. I love exploring that contrast, the familiar that feels quietly powerful when brought into focus.

If someone looked at your portfolio, what story would you want it to tell?

If someone were to explore my portfolio, I’d want them to see the unfolding story of a designer in motion. Someone still early in their journey, but deeply intentional with every step. Each project is more than just a finished visual. It’s a reflection of thought, experimentation, and discovery. I hope people take a moment to consider the ideas behind each identity. How the elements connect, the emotion behind the choices, and how each brand’s personality is brought to life.

We spend a large part of our lives working, so for me, it’s important that my work evolves with curiosity and excitement. I’m just getting started, and I can’t wait to see where this path takes me.