Katelan Cunningham
Sustainability Researcher / Writer / Information Designer
Los Angeles, CA
Q What do you do?
“I’m a sustainability communicator. ”
I focus my time on content strategy and production, information design, writing, and research. I want to help people better understand climate change and sustainability so that we all feel more confident advocating for a livable future.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
It wasn’t a straight shot. In 2011, I was in my senior year as a writing student (with a graphic design minor) at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I had an internship with a writer. I was helping him organize his book tour and he helped me find some semblance of a through line in my skills and interests. We were sitting in an art school coffee shop, and he told me, “I think the job you’ll have doesn’t exist yet.”
My parents found that idea a little troubling, but I found it liberating. It felt like permission to follow curiosities, be resourceful, adapt, and chart out my own way. Turns out, all of these skills are crucial for a career in climate.
In 2015 after some years in tech journalism and graphic design, I began a 7-year stint, learning everything I could about boxes. As the Editorial Director at Lumi, my job was to educate and empower our growing, shifting customer base with all kinds of packaging information. For me, this was always rooted in sustainability. From trees and fossil fuels to landfills and composting, supply chain and climate change are forever intertwined.
And now I’m here. With a portfolio that includes sustainability deep dives, the creation of hundreds of packaging explainer videos, production of over a hundred episodes of a podcast about patterns of consumption, a packaging curriculum, and more.
So I guess the through line has been a passion for understanding where stuff comes from and where it ends up.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
- I can communicate concepts and ideas with words and visuals (design or video).
- I have a strong background in packaging sustainability.
- I’m also organized by default. From producing videos and podcasts to blogs and social, there’s always a spreadsheet.
Q What are you working on right now?
I’m working with Guacamole Airplane on wrapping up their new Supplier Guide that I redesigned. I’m also working on a newsletter that I’m really pumped about. It’s called Welcome to Earth. In each issue I’m giving readers a base understanding of one cause or effect of climate change — greenhouse gases, fossil fuels, plastic, etc.
Guacamole Airplane Supplier Guide
Welcome to Earth newsletter
Q What’s your style?
Intention and clarity above all else.
In the summer of 2020, it was so inspiring to see the rapid uptick of mutual aid and viral calls to action across social media. That’s when I started working with LA Community Fridges to help build systems and designs.
Seeing people share so many resources, data, and ideas grounded me even further in the idea that pixel perfection can’t get in the way of intention. Know your audience, meet people where they’re at, and communicate in a way that resonates.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I want to do work for companies that exist to create solutions for climate change. I’d also love to spend more time producing weird video content.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Reliance on fossil fuels.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I would ask them to tag and catalog all the sustainability articles I’ve read so I can easily find them when I need them. That would be a dream!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I would tell high school Katelan to drop out of AP math classes and ceremoniously burn that graphing calculator. It’s not worth the stress, babe.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I’m in the process of learning more about the intricacies of a circular economy, so I’d love to talk to an expert about that.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking for opportunities where I can help people find clarity within the nuances of climate change. I love projects where I can merge research, writing, visuals, and data.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I like working on projects that start with intention, and with teams where people feel open to learn together. I like working with companies that are as open about their sustainability struggles and setbacks as they are about their successes.
Q What is your rate?
Projects start at $800. I usually charge on a project basis, and I’m open to retainer arrangements.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
I'd love to hear about your next sustainability project! You can contact me through my website
www.katelancunningham.com with your project scope and timeline.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Anj has created such a beautiful, quiet, inspiring corner of the internet. @hiaj
Madeleine Jubilee Saito makes poetry comics. Need I say more? @madeleine_jubilee_saito
Alissa Walker for all things public transit, safe streets, and liveability in LA. @awalkerinLA
Celine Seman is the founder of Slow Factory and she's focused on human rights and climate justice. @celinecelines
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Curiosity, rest, and new perspectives.
This member profile was originally published in October 2022.