Hi, I'm Kara!
With 21 years of experience as a creative director and graphic designer, my goal is simple: to spark joy through thoughtful, effective design. From branding and print to digital, I’m a versatile designer with a deep passion for strategy, nonprofit work, custom infographics, and crafting one-of-a-kind illustrations (like mushrooms playing instruments).
Collaboration is at the heart of my process—I thrive on working with others, sharing knowledge, and teaching. (I’m the one who reads the instructions to a new game and explains it to everyone else!)
When I’m not designing, you’ll find me spoiling my dog (who happens to be the best dog in the world—no bias here), hosting dinner parties, working out, organizing anything and everything, and creating handmade cards (what can I say, I still love snail mail!). Oh, and I’ve also got a talent for picking the perfect size Pyrex container every time. It's a gift!
Skills:
LEADERSHIP: Project Management • Collaboration • Communication • Client Engagement • Cross-Functional Teamwork • Brand Strategy • Art Direction • Training • Mentoring • Problem Solving • Print Production Management • Multitasking • Organization • Flexibility
DESIGN: Branding & Identity • Print • Digital • Illustration • Brochures • Ads • Mailers • Annual Reports • Email • Web • Social Media • Packaging • Presentations • Signs • Experiences • Hierarchy • Color • Typography • Iconography • Layout • Composition
TECHNOLOGY: Adobe Creative Suite • WordPress • Squarespace • HTML • Constant Contact • WordFly • Tessitura • Xhibit Signage
DESIGN: Branding & Identity • Print • Digital • Illustration • Brochures • Ads • Mailers • Annual Reports • Email • Web • Social Media • Packaging • Presentations • Signs • Experiences • Hierarchy • Color • Typography • Iconography • Layout • Composition
TECHNOLOGY: Adobe Creative Suite • WordPress • Squarespace • HTML • Constant Contact • WordFly • Tessitura • Xhibit Signage
Testimonials:
"Kara is a dream to work with -- creative, flexible, sensitive to deadlines, and her work astounds me every time I see it. Before Kara started doing our design work, our merchandise sales were always a net loss for the organization; since then, though, we have showed a 10-20% net return on all the merchandise we sell. She would be an incredible asset to any design team."
–Alan Hutcheson, former client
–Alan Hutcheson, former client
"Kara is a talented and intuitive designer as well as a thoughtful and hard-working collaborator. She took the time to understand our brand, which was strengthened by her designs. She is detail-oriented, highly organized, and a joy to work with."
–Brian Fahey, former co-worker
"Beyond her creative services and talents, Kara's project management established and improved organizational practices across departments. She was a great colleague and leader at our organization, who valued community and uplifting other artists."
–Erin Waelder, former co-worker
"Kara's like a creative superhero, delivering results that blow minds. In a nutshell, if you're after someone who makes magic with creativity, passion, a pro attitude, and most importantly - manages deadlines, Kara Fuhlbrugge is your go-to."
–Antonio Delgado, former co-worker and client
–Brian Fahey, former co-worker
"Beyond her creative services and talents, Kara's project management established and improved organizational practices across departments. She was a great colleague and leader at our organization, who valued community and uplifting other artists."
–Erin Waelder, former co-worker
"Kara's like a creative superhero, delivering results that blow minds. In a nutshell, if you're after someone who makes magic with creativity, passion, a pro attitude, and most importantly - manages deadlines, Kara Fuhlbrugge is your go-to."
–Antonio Delgado, former co-worker and client
"You're seriously THE most creative, detail-oriented, team player, motivated, smart as hell, loveliest person in the whole world!"
–Bethanie Verduzco, former co-worker and best friend
–Bethanie Verduzco, former co-worker and best friend
To read more detailed testimonials, please visit my Recommendations on LinkedIn.
For more illustration and fun, check out my personal art website at WhaleYes.com.