This Newly Minted Graphic/Web Designer Is Looking for Startup Work

Kristen Mitchell just completed Tech Talent South's Intro to Website Design & Creation Program. Read more about her below and think local if you're looking for tech talent.

What past tech projects have you worked on?
I have an engineering background, so I have have been pretty technologically influenced for a good while now. Currently, I work as an At-Home-Advisor for Apple so I provide technical support practically all the time. But as for specific projects, the past 8 years I have been working part-time as a freelance graphic designer where most of my projects thus have have been print based.

What are your best technical or creative skills?
My best skills are my creative skills. I especially have a knack for clean & crisp design. Not to toot my own horn, but I am also pretty good with hand lettering/calligraphy. Still working to improve upon that skill and incorporate it more of my design work.

What’s next on your list to learn?
Next on my list I would like to learn some backend coding and app design and development. I think it would be a great complement to my background in engineering, graphic design and web design. I have been pretty intimidated by it in the past but I think if I can take the time to really focus on learning the skill, it'll be a great skill to be competitive in the job market or my own business pursuits in the near future.

What’s your ideal internship/job?
My ideal internship/job would be one where I could be exposed to a an array of varied projects to keep things interesting. I'd also like for it to be in a calm, relaxed environment where work gets done but work/life balance is also paramount. Its also nice to work in an environment where the company values its employees' development and encourages and supports continuing education. It also helps to work around pretty cool people from varied backgrounds where you can learn, draw from and grow from each other's experiences.

Interested in startups?
Yes, I am very interested in startups. Startups have been on my radar for sometime now. I really appreciate and admire individuals who strike out on a passion and work hard to see it through. Its something I can totally get behind and draw inspiration.

Post graduation plans?
After finishing the program, I plan on adding web design as one of my design offerings in my freelance work. I also hope to eventually parlay my new found skills in a full time position as a graphic/web designer for some awesome place of employment. I also have the desire to return back to school for a Master's in Design Media with a concentration in Human Computer Interaction. Georgia Tech's program is on my radar. Its just a personal goal of mine, another interest of mine I'd like to learn more about and also further insight I feel will make me a competitive applicant for employment in our ever evolving more digital media influenced society.