Hi, I’m Kelsey!
I’m a graphic designer based in San Francisco with a love of books, typography, and all things print.
With over three years of experience both in-house and freelance, I’ve worked on projects spanning book design, packaging, branding, web design, and more. I spent a year as a Design Fellow at Chronicle Books, where I designed across their Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Art, and Entertainment publishing groups, working on a wide range of titles from illustrated memoirs and cookbooks to gift products like journals, stationary, puzzles, and calendars.
When it comes to design, I’m all about the journey. From diving into a client brief and research deep dives to learn the context and stories behind each project, to fine-tuning each detail based on feedback to get to the best final design. I thrive on collaboration and curiosity. My aim is to create thoughtful, engaging designs that balance creativity with clear intention.
A life full of international and cross-country moves, company acquisitions, and career pivots has taught me that adaptability is key, a trait reflected in my design versatility. Strong layout skills and the ability to seamlessly integrate with existing brand aesthetics have earned praise from clients and colleagues alike.
How I Got Started
Before design, I spent 8 years in marketing and brand communications in the food, travel, and lifestyle space. With no dedicated designer on the team, I had to “make it work,” as Tim Gunn would say, whether it was creating an image for a blog post, designing a landing page, or creating custom GIFs to send in an email campaign. As the years went on, I realized that I was most passionate about the creative problem-solving and the design aspects of my role. So I decided to pivot into graphic design full-time. To fill in my knowledge gaps, I enrolled in design courses part-time while juggling my full-time role. Despite shifting away from marketing, that experience has shaped how I think about audience, story, and what actually makes a product sell. These days I feel so lucky that I get to spend my days turning someone’s vision into a tangible reality.
A Bit About Me
Born in Taiwan and raised in San Francisco, with stops in Connecticut, the Netherlands, India, and Minnesota along the way, I've learned that every place leaves a mark on how I see color, pattern, and the world. Whether I'm lost in a fantasy novel or lost in a new city, I'm always on the lookout for inspiration in the unlikeliest of places.
OOO You'll Find Me . . .
. . . staying up late reading, planning my next trip, pretending I’m on The Great British Bake Off, wandering local museums and bookstores, indulging in a sweet treat, or cuddling my sister’s goldendoodle Mackie.
