CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PROPAC, PLANO TX
As Creative Director at fully integrated solutions agency Propac, Kelly’s priority is to ensure that big ideas come to life. In order to facilitate that, she has created a collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to bring their ideas to the table. The agency’s roster includes all PepsiCo and Frito-Lay brands. Kelly has more than 16 years of industry experience, ranging from brand design to traditional advertising to shopper marketing. She was Art Director for Harwood Marketing and a Designer at Fossil. She came to Propac in early 2017, after nearly a decade at TracyLocke. Kelly has worked with numerous clients, including Fossil, Dannon, Dr. Pepper, Cargill, TXU Energy, Pizza Hut, Visit Dallas and T-Mobile, and has won many awards and been in leading design magazines.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was raised just outside of Dallas and through some twist and turns I’m back in Dallas
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
I received a BFA in Communication Design at University of North Texas, an amazing program
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Neither, I require eight solid hours
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Velma from Scooby Doo. I’m always misplacing my glasses and I enjoy solving mysteries
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
No, I gave guitar lessons a shot and failed miserably
FAVORITE BOOK?
All the Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Too many to list. If forced I would say Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
Stranger Things, Lore, and non-stop history channel
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Instagram: a picture is worth 1,000 words
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Grandpa Chan @drawings_for_my_grandchildren; a 75-year-old Korean grandpa who learned to use Instagram to share his drawings with his three grandchildren
FAVORITE CHARITY?
Any charity that helps animals, locally Operation Kindness, a no-kill animal shelter.
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Reading, cooking, kayaking and trying not to check my work email
COLLECT ANYTHING?
Books and odd teapots. The teapots are unintentional, they find me.
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Orange
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
When I need something simple I go to Trade Gothic
DOES PRINT HAVE A ROLE IN YOUR DESIGNS?
I’m very much still rooted in the print world but often translate it into the digital. Shopper Marketing requires points of communication instore, however digital plays a bigger role every day.
DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
I’ve had so many amazing leaders and talent come and go through my life. One that stands out is Lou Allison. He could paint a picture of a concept and sell it like no one I’ve ever seen, thoroughly captivating. I’ve learned from him to never lose the passion for what you do and always give your all, even the tiniest projects
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength is color theory; weakness is letting an idea go when it’s not working
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Live life, absorb everything and listen to other opinions, sometimes they are right.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Veterinarian
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts ― – Winston Churchill
