Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylin Ingram.
Hi Kaylin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Kaylin Ingram and I am a freelance graphic designer from Clearwater, currently living in Dunedin, FL. I ~officially~ started my side hustle, Kay Coastal Designs, in January of 2020 as a way to help local companies and start-ups brand their businesses in their own unique “visual voice.” After graduating from the University of Florida’s Graphic Design program a few years back, I went straight to work for my family’s personal injury law firm, Ingram Injury Law. It was there that I had my first total branding overhaul project. It was extremely important to me that this brand was perfect. The logo, colors, fonts, and vibe as a whole had to visually represent a company that my dad had built up from the time I was a kid. I had grown up with this company in my life and had to make it stand out amongst other firms as the approachable family-run business that it truly is. The more I met people and business owners in the community, the more I started doing logos and small projects for local clients, companies, side hustles, Etsy Shops, you name it! All the while, I tried to maintain that same personal approach I took to my family’s company. In every logo I design, I try to make it personal and individualized to the specific client! It takes a lot of trust to put your company and everything you’ve built into the hands of a designer and say, “Hey, can you make this look good.” It is so much more than that! I am truly so grateful for every client who has trusted me with their brand this past year! Thank you for letting me find your “visual voice” and share it with the world! 🙂
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I had always been doing small jobs, logos, invites, and t-shirt designs for friends and family for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t until January of 2020 that I actually got my LLC and started charging for my work instead of following my previous “Will-Work-For-Starbucks”, college-student mentality. That shift took some getting used to. Anyone who has started a business knows that a big chunk of your time is dedicated to invoicing, tax returns, and sometimes what feels like everything BUT…. actual graphic design. But seriously, don’t let that stop you. It is all worth it! I learned SO much this past year and am STILL learning about what it means to own a business. Never stop learning! Ask tons of questions and figure things out as you go. It is super rewarding when you do!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a freelance graphic designer with Kay Coastal Designs. I specialize in designing logos, t-shirts, post-cards, invites, social media graphics, and in today’s world…. even Face Masks! I try to design in the style of my client, whether it is a sleek business professional or a fun-loving Etsy shop! But personally, I love beachy, easy-going, organic, and BLUE designs! I always sneak blue into my projects. I love that color. One time in school, my professor pulled me aside and said, “YELLOW! Design something in yellow! Your whole portfolio is blue projects! Mix it up!” That was the first time I looked at my portfolio and noticed how much I use different blue shades. So when it came time to brand my own company, Kay Coastal Designs, I knew I had to work in my favorite shade of blue!
I also love doing fun, bright, happy design work! ANOTHER one of my more struggling-artist professors told me one of my projects was “to BuzzFeed.” While he meant it as a critique, I took it as the biggest compliment of all time! “You mean this could be on BUZZFEED?!?!?” I was ecstatic! Happier, the better! Life is too short to waste art on just yourself. The more people it can reach, the better! And to know you have an audience, it is important to make that vibe good! You never know who you are directly impacting. Even if it’s something, they just scroll past! Better make an impact and keep it positive!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned this past year is to never stop seeing your “work” as a “hobby.” So often, we look at work as a chore. We think Mondays “suck” and Fridays are something to look forward to, but the truth is that each day is such a blessing and we are so lucky to be able to do work that we love. How lucky are we that we even get to wake up in the morning!?! Sometimes, when it gets to be a “grind” or I have many deadlines or projects I’m working on, I try to shift gears in my head and be grateful for the clients and grateful for the work! It is ALL such a blessing!
Contact Info:
- Email: kaycoastaldesigns@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.kaycoastaldesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay_coastal_designs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KayCoastalDesigns
