Meet Brooke Callister | Art Director and Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brooke Callister and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brooke, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My thought process behind starting my own business looked a lot like trying to strike the balance of being creative and being a mom. I had my daughter, River, and was trying to figure out what was the best way to build a life and a career that honored everything I loved. Working for myself was so out of my comfort zone and a stretch for how I’m naturally wired. My husband, Zane, kept encouraging me and pushing me to start my own Design Studio and to take on my own graphic design and art direction work. I had a dear friend approach me about branding her new retail concept and that was just the job I needed to take the leap, get the LLC and start my own studio. It allowed me to have more flexibility with being present for my daughter but also to be able to align myself with people and projects that would stretch me and help me to stay creatively sharp while truly getting to help people bring their vision to life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The path for me creatively has been built almost entirely on relationships. It started in high school yearbook when I became obsessed with layout design and documenting my life and my friends with a camera. I knew I wanted to go to school to get a degree in Graphic Design and see what I could build. It then went on to getting asked to help brand businesses or album rollouts for some of the people I love the most. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that your art and creativity might get you in the room but your character and how you treat others will determine if you get hired again. All of my longest and biggest clients are either friends or friends of friends. I’m way more concerned with serving someone’s vision and helping them bring their ideas to life than pushing my own vision on them. I have learned that aesthetic and taste and execution are important but character is king.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Gosh, I love Kansas City. If my best friend was coming in town our first spot would be The French Market. I basically live here. It’s the cutest little Parisian neighborhood vibe. We’d grab iced americanos and chocolate croissants and sit out on the patio. Then we would get in a little movement with lagree pilates at The Body Lab or a good sweat at the infared sauna at CYL Sauna. After that we’re definitely going shopping at Clairvaux. The interiors, the people, the clothes are all on a whole different level. You can be there hours and it feels like minutes. We would definitely be staying at the Crossroads hotel for a night. They have vibe and hospitality dialed all the way in. We’d get an espresso martini at the bar before heading over to our fave restaurant, Noka. Our friend Amante has built the most insane Japanese fusion restaurant that feels like you’re in a different city. Depending on the weather (which changes constantly) we would end the night on the rooftop bar, Percheron or we’re headed to a little dive bar called Lucky boys to have a boat drink.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My story would look so much different it if wasn’t for husband, Zane. He has worked for himself and been writing and composing music for nearly a decade now. Not only is he my greatest supporter but I have seen him walk the walk. Whether he’s inspired, tired, full of ideas or believing for the next one to come — he still walks into his studio and tries to find and create a new sound and a new song. He shows up every day and creates something out of nothing. And then he comes home at the end of the day and is so present for me and our kids. I am so grateful for him!

Website: www.brookecallister.com

Instagram: @brooke_callister

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Clare Schaper, KT Sura, Krista Johnson, Nikki Fletcher, Alex Faulkner