Graphic designer Kaitlyn Hall has made a big impact during her short time here at MCI USA. Starting as an intern and freelance designer before joining the marketing team full time in 2023, she’s already received two industry awards for her work and aims to continue elevating MCI USA’s brand through creativity and her deep appreciation for art. Here, the Huntington, West Virginia, native (who currently resides in New Orleans) discusses her creative approach, design influences and her surprising affinity for accents.
1. What inspired you to go into graphic design? Who are some of your influences?
I have been an artist my whole life; I started drawing as soon as I could pick up a pencil. That base love for creating quickly transformed into trying all types of art, including painting, pottery, photography, among other forms of traditional art. I was inspired by a family member to try my hand at graphic design when I got to college, and it just stuck. I attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in graphic design. I look up to some great graphic designers including Pink Pony Creative (a design agency based out of Australia) and Jessica Walsh, and I also have a great appreciation for our Arties here at MCI USA.
2. What would you say is your biggest accomplishment here at MCI USA?
My greatest accomplishment is winning two design awards within my first full-time year. I received a Gold MUSE Creative award and a Platinum dotCOMM award for my work on the OneSystem Plus brochure this year. It felt so nice to be recognized for my hard work and dedication to making good design pieces for MCI. It was definitely unexpected but a very sweet moment and a confidence boost!
3. What’s the best part about being a designer?
Being able to show the world my creativity. I have always had a deep appreciation for art, and it is nice to be able to work in an industry that allows me to be creative every day. Another great part of being a designer is that I am constantly learning. Being in a field where I can continue to learn from those around me and develop both professionally and personally is extremely rewarding.
4. As a designer, how do you tap into your creativity when working on a new project?
The way that I creatively approach projects really depends on the context of the request. I pull inspiration from past projects, as well as my background in the arts, to make sure that what I am creating is going to meet the deliverables and overall goal for the specific project. When I’m stuck, I usually ask an Artie to put their eye on it to see if I am missing something. I’ve always been a big proponent for collaboration — I think the best work is born from working with others, and this is especially true for design.
5. What’s something surprising that not many people know about you?
Something surprising about me is that my love for the arts doesn’t stop at physical forms. I have been doing impressions since I was a little kid. I often break into accents and characters in the middle of conversations. I’ve done it for so long that it’s involuntary at this point — sometimes I don’t even notice I’m doing it and it’s hard to turn off. I’ve even accidentally spoken to waiters in an accent and had to finish the meal in that voice because I was too embarrassed to switch back.
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