Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Carter.
Lauren, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was lucky to find the professional path I wanted to take before heading off to college. Not that I knew exactly what that would look like, but I knew my major was going to be Graphic Design. I was lucky the design program at the University of Kansas started us on the right foot. I was able to get a job right out of school as an Art Director at the Balcom Agency in Fort Worth where I worked for four great years. Through that opportunity, I learned I craved working directly with clients and in particular clients who were starting new businesses. To create a working relationship with the clients I hoped to work with, I created my own business, LJ Carter Creative. I just celebrated three years of hard work for a variety of amazing clients here in DFW and around the country.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There are always challenges—wouldn’t life be boring without them! I can say for the most part the road has been pretty smooth. The biggest obstacle I’ve worked through so far was being relocated due to my husband’s job. Two years ago, we moved to Kansas City—absolutely amazing city with a thriving creative community. We were lucky to have two years there before coming back to Arlington this summer. But professionally, that move had some difficulties. I established my home base here in DFW and was just looking into how I wanted to grow my company here when we were relocated. Sometimes, life has other plans! Thankfully, my clients were very understanding and overall didn’t have any issues with me working remotely and coming into town when necessary.
I think I am about to face the toughest challenge of all—becoming a parent! Check back in a few months and I’ll tell you how that’s going, ha!
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
At the core of it, I am a Graphic Designer. As many of us in the field can attest, that usually doesn’t cover all that we do. My company, LJ Carter Creative, focuses on branding, packaging and web design but do so much more. The ideal project is one that the client pulls me in on the ground level of creating their brand. It may start with a logo but I love expanding that brand into all aspects of their business, be it packaging, website, merchandise, environmental interactions, etc. Essentially, I enjoy developing how the brand lives and breathes. Brands are living things that need to grow based on the clients they are serving, environment, location, technology and so much more. What I hate to see is when brands end up is with a logo that is just slapped on a few items and they call it a day. There is so much more that can be done! I love helping create the experience of a brand.
I suppose I’ve become known for my work for Legal Draft Beer Company. Craft beer tends to be constantly discussed and hopefully enjoyed! I’ve been lucky to work with the company from brand conception through the three years they’ve officially been operating but began work on it about five years ago. I like to joke I am a one-man-band for them working on branding, packaging, point of sale, photography, merchandise, email marketing, social media, web design, and pretty much anything that comes up they need. It’s constantly changing and I love it!
I like to think my clients would say my working style and personal approach sets me apart from others they may work with. Each project is so unique, I like to customize that working relationship to fit their needs and goals.
What were you like growing up?
Oh, goodness. Growing up, I was all over the place. I never wanted to be put into a stereotype. In high school, I was a competitive cheerleader and Yearbook Editor all at the same time. Then, in college was in art school and a sorority. I enjoy a variety of things: museums, fashion, theater, skiing, hiking, sports, and hunting. I really hate it when people think you can only be or like one thing. When we vary our interests and see things from various perspectives we learn so much more about people and the world around us. That’s probably what led me to be such a passionate traveler. I was fortunate to travel often growing up and got to live abroad in college. There is so much world to explore my fear is to run out of time to see and experience it all!
Contact Info:
- Website: ljcartercreative.com
- Email: lauren@ljcartercreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ljcartercreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LJCarterCreative/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LJ_Carter12
Image Credit:
Lauren Carter
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