HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Katherine Downs is from Athens GA. It’s a unique college town decidedly separate from Atlanta. Though she’s from Georgia, she falls short of being a complete southern stereotype in one crucial area: the syrupy southern accent. Despite this, the proof of her southernness lies in an insatiable appetite for ribs, and a compulsion to smile at strangers. Katherine started out drawing cartoons for her local newspaper and school magazine. From there, she went to college and where she draws cartoons for the campus paper. She rediscovered her affinity for layout design and print design which goes back to days of loitering in Borders, reading stacks of magazines. Katherine enjoys design with a point of view and a sense of humor. She will graduate in May and is energized and just slightly terrified by the road ahead.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I am from Athens GA. I moved to Washington DC for college.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Both
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
Lucille Ball – she was goofy and fearless!
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
When I was little my dad taught me the guitar and I still play.
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW?
Fresh Prince and Spongebob (two timeless role models).
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Spartacus by Howard Fast
ANY PETS?
Yes, two dogs and an ornery cat, who comes and goes.
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
Just English, but I do a Christopher Walken impression that always cracks my dad up.
FAVORITE MOVIE?
George of the Jungle
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Hale Woodruff
FAVORITE CHARITY?
Goodwill
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Knee deep in a cup of coffee, ignoring my phone and having a good conversation
LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
That’s the perfect way to describe that.
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
When I was younger I collected tea sets.
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
A shade of coral or pink.
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
My go-to is Gotham.
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Presenting and receiving criticism. Weakness is time management!
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A voice actor or comedian
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Everything happens for a reason.
