Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaycee Newell.
Hi Kaycee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up and was educated in Michigan, earning a BFA in Drawing from Eastern Michigan University in 2006 and an MFA in Drawing from Kendall College of Art and Design in 2009. After a bit of a detour to Texas and eventually making my way to Western Pennsylvania, my fine arts background unexpectedly led me to a local brewery that was interested in having me design beer labels.
That opportunity opened the door to freelance design and eventually led me to start my own business, Newell Graphic Arts, in 2019. What started with beer labels has grown into a pretty wide range of creative work—and thankfully, I’ve managed to find plenty of projects that have given me the opportunity to express creative intuition.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think I speak for a lot of creatives when I say that working for yourself is not always as glamorous as it sounds. There’s a lot more to running a business than just making things look pretty.
Managing clients, staying motivated, keeping up with the business side of things, and navigating the inevitable ups and downs of freelance work can be challenging. Some months are packed, some are quieter, and occasionally you find yourself wondering if you should have just gotten a normal job.
But those challenges have also forced me to grow, not just as a designer, but as a business owner. I’ve learned to be adaptable, trust my instincts, and keep moving forward even when things feel a little uncertain.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Over the years, my freelance work has covered a pretty broad range of projects, including custom illustration, merchandise design, event posters, branding packages, large-scale layouts, and food and beverage photography. These days, I primarily specialize in branding and logo design, restaurant marketing, and event and tourism marketing and design.
I’ve developed a reputation for creating work that is professional, thoughtful, and most importantly, creative. I’m always looking for ways to give clients something that not only meets their needs, but exceeds what they initially imagined.
My background in fine arts and drawing is a big part of what sets me apart. I’m comfortable creating original artwork and illustrations rather than relying solely on templates or existing design elements. It also gives me the ability to move between different styles and aesthetics depending on the project. Basically, I’ve spent a lot of years learning how to draw things and solve visual problems, and I’m determined to make all of that education everyone else’s problem.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is building a design practice that balances creativity with effective communication. Good design isn’t just about making something look good, it needs to communicate an idea, connect with an audience, and ultimately accomplish something for the client.
I’m also constantly pushing myself to expand my aesthetic range and try new things. I take a lot of pride in being a bit of a design chameleon, being able to shift styles and approaches depending on the project while still maintaining a strong creative point of view.
At the end of the day, if I’m doing work I’m proud of, continuing to learn, and getting to make cool things for good people, I consider that a pretty successful career.
Pricing:
- Branding Packages: $600 – $1800
- Event Marketing Packages: $300 – $600
- Restaurant Marketing Packages: $200 – 400
- Custom Merchandise Design: $300 – $800
- Custom Label Design: $400 – $1800
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.newellgraphicarts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newellgraphicarts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newellgraphicarts
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayceenewell15701/
