Today, we’d like to introduce you to Katie Mont.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I always knew I wanted to be an artist, but younger me would drop their jaw to the floor if they met me today. I chose to attend college for graphic design because it sounded safer than simply going to art school. At the end of the day, I’m very blessed to have chosen this path because my design degree from Texas Women’s University was an insanely fortunate mix of fine art, design principles, and creative delight.
My design career began with a toxic gig. It would make an amazing made-for-tv-movie – lies, deceit, betrayal – and eventual karmic justice. I worked for a man who could buy and have anything he wanted, and he was the most miserable person I’d ever met. I was making good money, but I was having an awful time. In the end, everything he had built came crashing down around him, and he stole from the very employees who were loyal to him. If I could go back… I would do it all over again.
That sad man taught me a string of vital lessons that laid the foundation for who I am today – Purpose is important to a fulfilling life. Living by and operating with values allows you to grow in a positive direction. No amount of money is going to make you happy if you aren’t proud of what you did to get it.
I’ve since devoted my craft to designing remarkable brands for people to better our world, one step at a time. In a sea of bad eggs, well-intentioned businesses can’t afford to fade into the background, so I dedicate my skills to helping positive people build purposeful brands. I believe that it is our responsibility as entrepreneurs to build businesses that do good and are driven by values and positive intentions – and that value and purpose-driven design doesn’t have to be boring.
Purpose-driven design isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about standing out and making a statement. It’s bold. It’s unapologetic. It’s fucking badass.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ll preface this by saying I love my alma mater and received an epic education. But design school doesn’t teach you enough (or anything at all?) about how to make money.
I always knew that I didn’t belong at an agency. College seems to teach you how to get out and land a job… but I wanted to get out and BE the job, BE the boss. I am my boss, and I’ve been building my design studio, working remotely for almost 10 years now – But I had to spend a LOT of time learning how to run a business (and I’ll admit I did it poorly for quite some time).
I guess I’ll say the ticket to smoothing out the bumps in the road lies in never ending your education journey. There is always more to learn, something to optimize, automate, or improve. Social media and the internet comprise a vast field of amazing mentors and professionals far ahead in their journeys to learn from. But you need to be careful who you place your trust in.
I’ve gotten great advice, and I’ve received horrible advice. I joined a professional network that was a cult and another one that led me straight to burnout. The key lies in finding the right people for YOU to learn from, saying YES to things that serve you, and learning to say NO to those that don’t.
Thanks. What else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a brand identity and web designer specializing in bold AF and purpose-packed design.
I help you stand out and make meaningful connections with the people that matter most to your brand. Together, we can take a step back from your brand (your baby!) and drill down to your reason for existing, what makes you different, your values, and your goals – and take that vision and translate it into a visual identity that screams YOU.
What makes me different is my education and experience don’t just lie in design. I’ve forged a very dynamic career path. I’ve been a marketing manager for over 6 cannabis brands in California, taught college courses for my alma mater, hosted charity events and a beer festival, and am a founding member and VP of Marketing for an industry-changing renewable energy startup. I understand the many facets that it takes to build a successful business and grow a successful brand, and I bring a holistic, forward-looking vision to solving my client’s problems.
My joy lies in the joy of my client. At the end of the day, I’m taking your vision and your story and weaving a visual narrative to help you achieve your goals. Seeing my logos, websites, designs, and illustrations out in the world helping you kick ass gives me all the warm fuzzies.
I specialize in brand identity and web design, offering packages ranging from logo suites to brand bundles, one-day web designs to custom illustrations.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I describe Denton to outsiders as a smaller, watered-down Austin. It’s a town packed with creativity. It’s a town that quickly became my home, and it’s a place I will always treasure. The most important connections in my life come from here. This town has shown up to support me whenever I need it. Denton has a lot of heart and a lot of fun. I was made for this city.
What I like least – It is easy to be taken advantage of as an artist and creative. Many times, I’ve seen the city and local businesses holding “contests” for murals or other creative endeavors, requesting concepts to be submitted for a job to be “won.” Each time I come across this, the payment for the actual job “won” is well below fair industry standard pay. It’s in line with the good ol’ “Do-it-for-the-exposure” bit.
There’s this vibe that exists that since we are creatives and we love our work and have fun, we should accept less and be happy to be “given the opportunity”. The reality is, we work just as hard as anyone else to become experts in our fields, our services and craft deliver significant value to brands and businesses, and we deserve to be treated to the same respect as all professions. These predatory practices negatively impact college students and young designers, as they can set you on a path to not recognizing the value of your work, which leads to the “starving artist” narrative and burn out. This is a conversation we need to shine light on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katiemont.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie.mont
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@katiemont.design
