Kyle Kemink
Q What do you do?
“I’m mainly a graphic designer and digital artist, but I’m more of a generalist when it comes to creating.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I studied a double major in Photography and Communication Design at The Open Window institute, and I've been working in the creative industry ever since. The majority of creative journey has been between freelancing, advertising and branding agencies, startups and personal projects. I took my first job feeling underprepared but learned to adapt quickly. Each project since then has been a stepping stone, teaching me something new and refining my skills and craft in design.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I don't cling on to a style or a particular way of working, a lot of my process is formed in experimenting. In a field that often puts form over function, I value solutions and concepts. I'm more of a generalist, always adjusting to solve the problems at hand. It's not about me; it's about what the client needs to say.
Q What are you working on right now?
I'm always busy making something, whether it's for me or for my clients. Currently I'm collaborating with a few emerging artists and stores on building their digital presence and brand identity. This involves not just design but also social strategy, aligning their online persona with their art and making cool things for cool people.
Q What’s your style?
My style is fluid. It's less about aesthetic and more about solving the puzzle of communication in today's digital landscape. My style is more of an anti-style. It's always evolving, and it's the process of constant experimentation and refining craft in everything I make.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I'd love to delve deeper into the psychological aspects of design, as well as more of the strategic aspects of design. How it affects user behavior, perception, and interaction online. It's a field that keeps evolving, and there's always so much more to explore.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
The constant rush of deadlines makes it difficult to step back and explore new horizons. Also, balancing creativity with the practicalities of making a living can be challenging.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Handle the admin stuff—emails, scheduling, basic client management. That would free me up to focus on the actual creative work. A personal chef might be nice too.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I could have introduced myself to design and creative outlets earlier. I think we often forget our journeys are uniquely personal and I wouldn't be the creative I am today if I haven't taken the steps I had. But I wish I had known earlier in school that a career in creativity was something I could persue seriously.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I'd chat with an expert in storytelling and narrative theory. Design is, at its core, a form of storytelling, and understanding the mechanics of a compelling story could take my work to the next level.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I'm keen on projects that allow me to flex my creative muscles, especially those that involve building a brand or social strategy from the ground up. I want to work with people who are as passionate about their craft as I am about mine.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Someone who understands the value of good design and is open to experimental approaches. A client who's not just looking for a designer, but a storyteller.
Q What is your rate?
That's a conversation I prefer to have one-on-one, tailored to the specifics of the project at hand.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Just shoot me an email or a DM. Let's get the conversation going, and we'll see if we can find a good middle ground.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
I never stop consuming creativity—art, music, news, you name it. My creativity feeds on the world around me. And yes, I do believe in taking breaks to let the mind wander; that's when the best ideas usually hit.
This member profile was originally published in March 2019 / Updated November 2023