Katie Zana
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“G’day! I make websites that young-blooded people just *get*.”
I do this by making
① v unique Squarespace templates
② helping people make said templates look even more unique (in one day)
③ building Shopify stores that don’t look template-y ⋆✦
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Ten years ago everyone started having these things called online stores so I thought it would be exciting to get in on the action. You couldn't go to University to learn, so I just emailed a bunch of places I thought were cool! They taught me what they knew (very little) and I learned most things on the fly.
Not much has changed... except that I know a lot more now. I worked full-time managing online stores for various startup fashion labels and boutiques over the years, then decided freelance was worth a try.
I still work primarily in fashion, but enjoy doing stuff for different industries now - last week an organic farm, this week a sassy financial firm.
How do you stand out in your field?
I approach my work holistically. Niching is all the rage, but I’ve found most people get pretty frustrated by having 6 specialists handling different parts of their website. It also gets hella expensive, duh.
The nature of working for startups has meant I’ve been thrown in the deep end learning about everything from marketing, design, copywriting, UX and people’s online behaviour.
I pride myself on having a more thoughtful and considered approach to creating websites and the assets around them.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Right now I’m working on a website for a meditation teacher who is also a mate of mine. She’s wanting to use my Meridian Squarespace theme as a base for her website to book appointments and house her guided med videos. It’s going to have a James Turrell aesthetic, but with the minimalism of an art gallery.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
After many years of working for minimalist luxury brands, I’ve realised I’ve a closeted maximalist. So my own website - pearler.work - is my most recent expression of that, as is lilithhardielupica.com.
Although I’m having more fun with colour and typography now, most of my clients are seeking a happy middle ground and we can find a way to keep things clear and chic, but sneak some fun elements in there with CSS effects and GIFs.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I'm very excited about the work coming through from wellness, health, charity and female-lead businesses. When the laptop shuts, I spent a lot of time reading on these topics.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Brands who keep diluting their DNA, hiding their personality and looking too much at what other people are doing.
More and more I find clients coming to me very unsure, so I can’t help but give them some homework videos to get their who/what/why/how clearer. ☻
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Errr do my finances, ofc!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Speaking of which: learn how to do my taxes and understand how it all works!!!!!! The financial side of freelancing has taught me some tough lessons.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Copywriting is a relatively new and fun area I've been honing in on the last few years - I feel there’s still a lot to learn, especially as psychology and emotion plays a major part of it nowadays.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I’d love to show more people my Squarespace templates - they’re super unique and a great starting point for fellow web designers to use for their client projects OR solopreneurs / practitioners / business owners who want a cool template that doesn’t like like all the boho, pastel ones on offer.
I’ve recently ✧ launched ‘book me for a day’, which is basically a one-on-one day devoted to your design, eCommerce or development to-do list.
After 10 years of honing my skills means I can produce stunning results, nice and quick. In one day it’s possible to customise a template, jazzing up your Flodesk emails, or create a mini branding pack, for example.
I’m open to custom builds Shopify and Squarespace a few times a year.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
You love the Meridian template, you’ve added your own branding and words, then you book me for a day to really make it on-brand for you: refine the copy with your tone of voice, add some interesting effects, get my suggestions on more things you can DIY ❁
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
I’m a real lone wolf! So it’s no single person I can say. It’s an obvious one, but refreshing my skills as a web designer in the ilovecreatives Squarespace Course seriously reinvigorated me, so the person that comes to mind is Puno, and the cool people I’ve chatted to in the course.
My work is so collaborative that my clients are my biggest #inspo! Naw.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Go to my website, use the live chat or book a call!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Finding inspiration in the less obvious places
This member profile was originally published in March 2020, Updated February 2021.