My name is Kaitlin Van Buren, and I am a graphic designer with a labeling and packaging obsession. Just ask my husband, I can't go anywhere without pointing packaging out to him for one reason or another.

In high school, I took every computer class that my small school, 65 students in my graduating class, could offer. In my junior year, I took the yearbook class where Mrs. Champerlin told me I could make this class into a job. I drove home as quickly as I could after school to tell my parents that I knew what I wanted to do with my career in graphic design! It became a joke in our family that I took the engineering skills, organization, and problem-solving from my dad and the artistic skills from my mom and melded them together and got graphic design.

I didn’t think I’d succeed when I graduated from the University of Idaho. The graphic design industry is vast, and finding exactly what I wanted to do right out of college was a challenge. After 3 years of searching and design reflection, I was lucky enough to get a position at Leapin’ Lizard Labels where I learned about printing and got to work with clients on some label designs. Taking that position was the greatest decision I ever made, besides marrying my best friend, and it has led to great opportunities ever since.

Who I am outside of work:

When I’m not happily glued to my computer, you can find me snuggled up with my two dogs, Chevelle and Nova, watching Doctor Who, Star Wars, or some other nerdy thing like cosmos or dinosaur documentaries. And yes, my dogs were named after classic Chevrolet cars. They are beautiful and powerful, just like those cars.

I’m not just a nerd who likes to stay inside. On nice days, I enjoy walks and playing fetch with Chevelle and Nova. I now even enjoy camping and anyone who knows me will find that surprising, but I promised my husband that I would try it at least once and now I’m hooked.

My philosophy:

I know, I know, most companies will give a list of their values, but not me. It’s simple. I believe in being open and honest, whether that means I let you know that I have no experience with what you are asking or I think we can make this design even better. My passion for graphic design started back in high school and has not diminished! I believe a talented designer continues to learn and grow with the surrounding trends.

Click Here to See My Design Work

Kaitlin Van Buren

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