Meet Kat Mai | Brand Identity Designer

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

Hi Kat, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I started specializing in Brand Identity Design because I realized providing one-off design services wasn’t benefitting anyone, the client or myself. The amount of effort it takes to have a consultation, realize the style and aesthetic that makes sense for both the business and their audience, and all the problem solving and strategy involved in creating a design that makes sense for marketing and actually works – it’s a lot of effort to not maximize in more than one area. One off flyers or a great logo doesn’t ensure a sale, but building a brand, developing that customer base, creating something that’s impactful and memorable, that’s exciting to me. That taps into just how powerful design can be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud of my Brand Identity Process. I started developing it before I was fully self employed, and it came in part from sharing the design practices I had learned in college with my clients. (I realized they wanted to be part of the process, and were more invested in the design outcome when they were aware of what it took to get there.) But it also came in part from embracing and accepting the parts of myself I used to feel insecure about. I often didn’t feel like a very strong designer. I worked under a Creative Director who once told me that, “Design just isn’t for you.” I often left projects feeling deflated. So I started developing a process that would only focus on the skills I really excelled at, that allowed me to work at a pace I felt most comfortable at, and was tailored around what was fun for me. That turned into a focus on Branding. My clients started walking away from projects with reviews like, “It’s like you read my mind…” or “It’s what I always wanted, I could cry…” It felt great helping someone feel more confident showing up in their business because I was able to translate an idea they had in their head into reality. And it felt really validating knowing it was never about me not being a good designer, it was more that I just wasn’t in the right setting for myself to really succeed with my unique talents.

If there’s one thing I’d share with the world about my story, it’s that if you follow your gut, be open minded about trying new techniques, and embrace yourself for who you are, flaws and all, and just own it, and run with it, things work out. This is true both for business, and in personal 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?
We would probably hit all the neighborhoods, one at a time. I would take her to North Park, go bar hopping, maybe day drink and cruise around so we can walk the bridges, see the art, pop over to Balboa Park. Then we’d hit the beaches, I love OB and would probably take her to Wonderland for a beer and poké at sunset. Then whatever style of Asian food she wants over off Convoy and karaoke. We’d also do the tourist things, the zoo, the aquarium, cruise around La Jolla, see the seals, Kate Sessions park, Cabrillo in Point Loma. If she wanted to do city things, then a night downtown, go to Shout House, Little Italy, more bar hopping. Probably have a coffee and a walk in South Park. Beers and tacos in Barrio Logan. More day drinking and hanging in Coronado. All the things.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My daughter, Bella, has been probably my biggest motivator in pushing towards business. Being self employed helped me both be the mother I always hoped I’d be, while still having a satisfying career. The most impactful book I’ve ever read is Codependent No More by Melody Beattie. I went through a lot of tough stuff early on in life, and that was the first book that really helped make all other personal development books and concepts click. And shout out to my sister Crystene, and my bestie Julie, because they listen to me go on and on about business and have responded to every crazy idea with enthusiasm.

Website: www.katmaidesigns.com

Instagram: @katmaidesigns

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kat-mai-designs

Facebook: https://facebook.com/katmaidesigns

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCw3bFUzcvgHcAQVg91Pahw