Meet Kaitlin Anderson | Artist, Poet, and Brand Specialist

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

Hi Kaitlin, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
Live to inspire. I started using that line when I was in high school and it informed everything as I seriously started thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. It was the basis for the first brand I ever started, selling t-shirts with inspirational meaning to the kids at school. I’ve since had it tattooed on my arm as a reminder to use each day to create and make an impact. It originally came from a place of vulnerability: wanting to always have a reason to wake up each morning. And as I have grown, it has too. It’s become an obsession with creating positive ripples in the world around us. If I wake up and I live each day to inspire people, maybe they’ll do the same. And maybe then, the people they inspire will do the same, and so on. All in all, it’s a simple way to say, make the most of every day and use your skills and energy for good.

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.
I’ve been creating my brand since I was in high school. I’m now 27 and feel like I’m still only getting started. I think a lot of people who pursue their own endeavors might feel that way though. It’s a constant pursuit for the next project or piece or collaboration.

It has certainly not always been easy, but rather a slow build. I always tell people that the difference between growing and staying still is being willing to ask questions. That, in combination with resourcefulness, can change your whole life. Whenever I’ve wanted to make something in the past, I’ve researched and then reached out to someone who has more experience than me. It has helped build connections and a wide basis of knowledge that I pull from all the time now. Which is helpful, because I love creating a wide variety of things and helping others do the same.

I am always seeking new creative avenues to explore, but one of my favorite combinations is poetry and abstract design/photography. I released a book with those elements in November, and it’s my favorite thing I’ve made to date. I think it really encapsulates the pursuit of vulnerability and connection that I’ve been on for the last few years especially. And it’s shown me that the scariest things we share can also be the most worthwhile and freeing. I hope to do more of that in the future.

Aside from my own creations, I’m also very frequently collaborating with other brands and creators to tell their stories. Whether that’s brand strategy and design, or building different assets for them to use as vessels for their journey, it’s another thing I really love. It’s where my skill set and my “live to inspire” motto really connect. Enabling others to pursue their dreams is a massive joy in my life!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A lot of my closest friends and I bond over art, music, photography, and coffee. It would inevitably lead to scenic drives further west in the mountains and walks around the city. A few of the coffee stops would include Sweet Bloom, Corvus, and Middle State. There would be many hours spent at Twist and Shout for records, and then Tattered Cover for books. You have to take photos around Union Station, that’s required. If possible, catching a show at one of the local concert venues is never a bad idea. There is so much good music from local bands! With my friends, I’m sure we would end up at an art museum and a brewery some time, too.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom. She has always encouraged me to create and express how I feel. But even more importantly, she’s shown me that there’s strength in being vulnerable. I carry that into everything I do and try to lead each day as genuine and open as possible.

Website: Kaitlinandesign.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/KaitlinAndesign

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/kaitlinandesign

Twitter: Twitter.com/kaitlinandesign

Image Credits
Kaitlin Andesign/Kaitlin Anderson (me)