Katie Stern, a Renaissance Woman

I started out of high school as a cake decorator. I learned that I didn't like to work in a dark kitchen without windows. I'm also not fond of doing dishes. Change gears.

I went to nursing school and worked as a critical care nurse for 4 years. Great experience, greater burnout. Change gears.

I completed a psychology degree so I could work with nurses under stress on the job. Then I learned that it would take another 10 years of education before I could do that work. Change gears.

I picked up a camera and started taking pictures. A few semesters' training later, I started my own stock photography business. A local college hired me to teach photography and graphic design.

Teaching was obviously my calling.

Nine years into the graphic design teaching, I earned my Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree, the terminal degree that would allow me to teach at a 4-year university. 

One day a textbook salesman asked me to use his photography books in my classes. No way, I said. Too many errors. He asked if I wanted to write a textbook. It took 2-1/2 years to write the book while teaching full time.

A nearby 4-year university called and asked if I'd teach for them part time. That beginning grew into a full-time position. It took 11 more years to grow from Assistant professor to Associate Professor to Full Professor and Professor Emeritus. A second textbook was written during that time.

One day I saw a Facebook ad for Rachelle Holowko's surface pattern design course. A course called Leverage Your Art with Stacie Bloomfield followed. Then Rebecca Jane Woolbright taught Manufacture: Awesome! I was hooked, and now my business is thriving. 

I am a surface pattern designer, and my passion is creating designs that touch people's hearts. My designs are available for license or buy-out, bringing beauty and artistry to products and spaces.

Connect With Me

Website: www.career5design.com

Instagram: @career_5_design

Email: katie@career5design.com

I'd love to hear from you about licensing opportunities or custom design projects!