Hey y’all, my name is Lauren Keel. As a creative, I strive to distinguish myself and my brand from others. I tend to be an individualist when it comes to having my work displayed among others. I want my work to stand out in such a way that when people view it, they can understand how each design element works together to create a cohesive piece. Things that inspire me in design is seeing packaging in a store and how it catches my eye among everything else in the store. That feeling that I get is the same one I want others to experience when they see my pieces. Design is not only showcasing the product, but also yourself. What I mean by that is, is that every piece you produce should have meaning and effect behind it. You have to think as the viewer and the designer at the same time. When I start my design process, I tend to go to Pinterest to gather inspiration and ideas. I also tend to mull about ideas before I go to draw something out. I understand the concept of trial and error, but I’m also the type of person who would rather receive valuable constructive criticism after evaluating a piece I’ve been reflecting on for a while, instead of sketching out the first thing that comes to my head. My grandfather was an artist and so was my great aunt. I’ve been fortunate enough to see some of their work in the past, simple things like a painted piece of pottery or a handmade doll. Their art lives vicariously through them and it is one of the most important things I wish to accomplish throughout my art. It’s very important to me to have a connection to my family history because I wouldn’t be where I am today without the constant love and support I receive from them.
In future design projects, the type of work I want to do is packaging/logo designs. The design process is definitely a favorite of mine because I can create various layouts for viewers and understand what colors, typefaces and layouts work best for displaying products. To give myself the community outlook I am seeking, I have started by promoting myself via social media and have my profile on multiple job seeking sites. I try to make connections with people as well that are part of businesses and get my foot in the door that way as well.