Meet Katie Sturgis | Graphic Designer, Artist, Adventurer

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

Hi Katie, how do you think about risk?
I think most great things and true growth in life involve risk and uncertainty. I also think staying stagnant and becoming complacent is just as risky as jumping forward and trying new things. I love to say “do what scares you” (I’m a mountain biker so, very applicable) and “use fear as motivation.” Fear is your body’s natural response to protect you, but sometimes it can coddle you instead, so you have to find a good balance in order to maintain healthy growth.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a graphic designer with a degree in Art. I used to be ashamed to say that; in fact, it took me a *long* time to even call myself a “DeSiGnEr.” Even now, I feel like I’m “exposing” my secret. But, I think it’s important to tell my story because someone else may be struggling with the same thing. I think everyone struggles with imposter’s syndrome at some point in their life, whether it’s in a job, a sport, a hobby, etc., but at some point, I decided to use those feelings to fuel my growth. I stopped letting those fears of inadequacy hold me back, and used them to push me forward. Forward toward growth, toward learning, toward knowledge, toward a career. Today, I am proudly and artist and a designer. My full-time job is as a graphic designer on a Marketing Team; it’s truly a dream come true. I also do freelance design work, hand-lettering, and murals on the side. I am a lover of variety and I am truly lucky to get to do what I love for work every day. I am inspired by daily life, nature, and hand-drawn elements. I love being able to merge my love for Art with Design in every project that I can.

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.
Oh man, there are too many places and things I love to do around here in Colorado. My absolute favorite thing to do in Colorado is to grab a group of friends, head off on a Colorado country dirt road and find a random spot to camp. There’s nothing like getting away from the city and ‘disconnecting’ with your friends. One of my favorite spots to camp is just above Buena Vista, facing the incredible Collegiate Peaks.

For the rest of the week, I’d probably take them to Shuga’s in downtown Colorado Springs for dinner to try the Spicy Brazilian Shrimp Soup and then to Cork & Cask for a glass of wine. We’d hike the Manitou Incline or one of my many favorite local trails. If they were a mountain biker, I’d take them to one of our incredible, lift-assisted downhill bike parks (think ski resort, but for bikes). We’d of course have to drive through Garden of the Gods–it may be touristy but its beauty never ceases to amaze me, no matter how many times I visit. And if they were up for some altitude we could check out our local 14er, Tavá Kaa-vi/Pikes Peak, either up the highway or the Cog Railway (or Barr Trail!). If we had even more time, I’d take them to visit our very own Rocky Mountain National Park–a true treasure of our beautiful state. There’s really an endless list of things to do here, and that’s one of the reasons why I love Colorado so incredibly much!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been fortunate to have had an amazing community around me for my whole life so it’s difficult to choose one person or even one community to thank. I’ll start with my mom, who (jokingly) takes credit for my and my siblings’ artistic abilities after intentionally giving us blank sheets of paper for drawing instead of coloring books. Both of my parents have always fostered creative outlets, whether it’s art or music or sports. Every job that I’ve had has been a step of exponential growth, so shout out to every boss who took a chance on me, supported me, and let me thrive. Even my friends, my local community and my random social media connections support me and when I post my work online and it truly means a lot to me. So, really, thanks to everyone in my life who has propped me up and pushed me forward!

Website: https://www.sturgiscreative.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letterbugg/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-sturgis/