Meet Krysta Parr | Graphic Designer & Wonder Woman cosplayer

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

Hi Krysta, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’m a graphic designer, and I technically started my business shortly after college. I think what convinced me to do so, was by the end of college, I already had a couple of people ask for my work – I helped visually design a website working with a developer, and a friend of a friend asked for illustrations for his music thing… so it just made sense to go ahead and get a business set up even though that wasn’t my full-time job at the time. I honestly didn’t expect it to become my full-time job ever, but I wanted to stay in the industry even if just on the side (I wasn’t having luck with landing a design job with an agency). I was told from day 1 in college that ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know.” So I’ve always made an effort to network when an opportunity arises. So it feels like I got lucky, but one day someone found me on LinkedIn and offered much more regular work for me. Enough, eventually, that I could work for myself full-time. It just made sense to me as an artist/designer to have my own business. I guess for me it was “make your own job if you can’t get one”.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I always had a desire to create. I drew pictures and made my own picture books/stories/comics since before elementary school. That turned into loving acrylic painting, and then when I reached college, I chose graphic design. I wanted to have more opportunities for work, and realized how much I noticed logos, branding, so I felt that was the way to go. I guess I kind of answered this question in the earlier one, but I feel like a little luck, and networking really helped me get to where I am today with my art. Social media also helps so much these days. It wasn’t super easy, and basically for me, took years of patience to because a ‘full-time’ graphic designer/artist. I put myself out there on social media, and networking events. And kept applying to design jobs but never got one at an agency. I did finally get one at a shipping/printing store for a brief time, but it was minimum wage & no benefits, and I also had to do retail in between design jobs. I’ve learned though, that there are good things with every experience. However frustrating that job was, I did gain a client for my own business through it, and also learned how to use large-scale printers.

My brand is K.Parr Creative, and I have some very loyal customers. I think the reason I have been successful is that I’m honest and kind. I truly want to design something the customer LOVES. And I keep working with them until it’s exactly what they want. Not all designers have drawing/traditional art skills, so I feel that also helps in my success. I get to draw and paint for work too, and that’s fun for me. I think that’s what I get excited about the most, when I can showcase my drawing style.

In terms of costuming, that is not a profession (I do it as volunteering) – but I’ve learned how to make costume parts and explore that side of art – it’s expanded my awareness of what I’m capable of – more than I thought. Here’s a big lesson: Try new things, all the time. Especially for fun – if you fail, there’s no harm done, but if you succeed – you can add that to the list of things you have done/can do and it gives you a sense of accomplishment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I’d pick them up from DIA and treat them to Hapa Sushi (all my friends love sushi) and I had quite a few gift cards over the years haha. I love rolls and their Sake is delicious.

If the friend liked to gamble a little, I’d take them to Blackhawk – “A little Vegas in the mountains”.

A random, fun spot I came across recently is Fifty-Two 80’s on Broadway. A little store dedicated to all things 80’s. Retro shop, really fun stuff to look at, or buy!

I love Comic-Con, so I’d take them to the Denver Fan Expo at the convention center if that was going on.

My friends and I enjoy breweries, and one that has an awesome place to hang out is the Breckenridge Brewery – Farmhouse off Santa Fe. I love their outside area (and food: the bread skillet)! Great place to get a group of people to meet up (and helps that I don’t live too far away from it).

During the summer I’d make the not-too-far drive to Longmont and hang out at Wibby’s Brewing. They have swimming pools set up with floaties and you can sip on beer slushies! They also have a food truck.

Another little fun spot is Arts on Fire. (I go to the one in Highlands Ranch). You can pick out whatever ceramic object you want, and paint it. All on your own time! You just come in whenever and pick out something. They heat it in the kiln and then you pick it up a week later. Super fun and relaxing.

I’d take them to the Summit or the Marquis for a concert too. Those are my favorite 2 venues.

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?
I want to thank my mom for always supporting whatever route I wanted to take in my education – an art major! I also need to thank Terri Wiebold, of The Castle Pines Connection for making the dream of working for yourself and at home possible. I also would like to thank Kevin Wachter, of Keller Williams for supporting my business and seeing my talent since just about day 1! In terms of my Wonder Woman cosplay, I definitely need to thank Vinessa Olp, who had started her own costume group for charity events (3C Causeplay), and found me and invited me to join. I never knew this world before, and visiting kids, joining parades in character to make smiles has been so fulfilling and made life even more full.

Website: kparrcreative.com

Instagram: @kparrcreative @wonder.kp

Twitter: @kparr255