12 Questions: Meet Catherine Feeman-Fick (Wisconsin – USA)

In our 12 Questions blog series, we feature interviews with someone from the crowdSPRING community. For these interviews, we pick people who add value to our community – in the blog, in the forums, in the projects. Plainly – activities that make crowdSPRING a better community. Be professional, treat others with respect, help us build something very special, and we’ll take notice.

We’re very proud to feature Catherine Feeman-Fick (crowdSPRING username: catherinef3) today. Catherine lives and works in Wisconsin.

1. Please tell us about yourself.
I am a visual communicator that broke the mold coming from a family of teachers. I love to help companies discover their business personality! It is a passion, and quirky as it may be, I am able to pull out information or see things others cannot.

All I wanted for my 9th birthday was oil paints… I wanted to be an artist. Thankfully my parents embraced the idea and set out to support me any way they could… I received the gift I so longed for, painted my little heart out, and entered my work in a 4-H contest. The result: a first place win and the good fortune of meeting my art teacher/mentor for the next nine years.”

So the story begins – Kendal College of Art and Designs and the “real world” have been my best teachers. Yes, I admit it; I came from a generation with out cell phones or computers. I can honestly say I am grateful for not having all of the distractions technology can bring.
I still prefer starting any project with a pencil and paper to this day. Technology has given me the ability to take my concepts and easily present them to non-visual clients. Back in the day, we had to do it all by hand or key lining which was a long and tedious process…no command Z’s!

2. How did you become interested in design?
It has always been part of me ever since I could draw, create, act, speak… and of course my 9th birthday wish.

3. Which of your designs are your favorites and why?
Each holds a special place in my heart. They are like my children whom I have created and nurtured to the best of my ability. It is not possible to love one over the other when each holds such a special quality.

4. Who/what are some of the biggest influences on your design work?
My Grandma Stearns, who always told me I was clever. My Grandfather Feeman, who always encouraged me to draw. He was a high school chemistry teacher, but he could draw a mean brown bear… a skill which he patiently taught me. I have also been inspired by great artists who were not afraid to explore the boundaries, Picasso, Monet, Ansel Adams, David Carson, Paula Scher, among many others.

5. How do you come up with ideas for concepts after you read a creative brief?
I read them two to three times. Often I can read between the lines, seeing things beyond what the client knows they want or is asking for. I also investigate any information they provide and then I dig deeper, research and investigate the subject matter.

6. What software and tools do you use?
Pencil, paper, curiosity, brain… then the computer, Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign are my most used. (I am also very comfortable using Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Dreamweaver. I am always striving to learn something new.

7. What is your dream design project?
I really do not have a dream project; I am most motivated by designing something new and enabling others to thrive and succeed.

8. How do you promote your work?

My self-promotion takes place mainly by word of mouth and networking –LinkedIn profile, professional associations (??), and my online portfolio www.behance.net/cffdesigns.com

9. Please describe your typical work day.
– Kids off to school, coffee, coffee, coffee, It is a great provider of energy. Catch up on email. Make myself a list of goals for the day, week, month – every day is different, which I like.

10. You designed a full children’s clothing line – What was that process like?
Totally fun! I have a real passion for kids and the clothing line was based on empowering kids with self-esteem / can-do attitude, which I really believe in. I am so blessed to have had so many experiences with so many different clients, I have never met a challenge I didn’t love and take on passionately.

11. If you weren’t designing, what would you be doing?
I do not think I can stop designing. I think it’s just a part of me in all things, as a parent, friend, teacher and mentor.

12. What do you do with your free time?
Well at this point in my life I design and run kids, I run kids and design. I am doing my best to raise my kids to be wonderful people that will contribute their talents to the world, just as my parents did.
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Thanks Catherine!