Katie Manning
Product Designer / Entrepreneur
Boston, MA
www.katiemanning.net
instagram @_.katie.manning._
instagram @beyondbelievedorg
instagram @sobrailteboston
Q What do you do?
“I am a creative problem solver.”
I am a multidisciplinary designer and solopreneur. I work by day as a product designer and by night on my entrepreneurial ventures.
I enjoy solving complex problems for mission-driven brands. I have worked for Fortune 100 companies and start-ups in industries such as autonomous vehicles, e-commerce, international business licensing, and cryptocurrency.
I have been featured in the Puget Sound Business Journal, Business Insider, Digital Journal, honored in Seattle Inno's under 25 list, and named Anthem Award's Young Leader of the Year in Community Engagement.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I had always known growing up that I never wanted a typical desk job. Instead, a creative career was always going to be my future.
To get to where I am now, I created connections and a network. It is hard to break into any industry, but from personal experience, all of my previous career positions came from a relationship I had with a recruiter.
As for my entrepreneurial pursuits, there is freedom in designing for yourself.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I can take complicated problems and find ways to make them simple. Brands and design need to simplify what you're doing so that it's easy for people to understand.
Q What are you working on right now?
I am currently growing my second business venture, Sobrailte. An alcohol-free specialty retailer located in Boston. Sobrailte will be Boston's first alcohol-free bottle shop, featuring a curated selection of alcohol-free beer, wine, and spirits. Like many physical spaces outside of the mainstream, bottle shops are not just places for commerce: They can also be community spaces for people who don't feel comfortable at bars or other forums where alcohol is present.
Q What’s your style?
I love neutral palettes with bold accents and sleek typography.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Packaging design or something physical. I do a lot of digital work, and there is something super rewarding about building and designing something physical.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
The pressure to become a motion designer or videographer. Video/motion as a media has exploded within the past few years. The rise of TikTok and Reels has put pressure on brands and individuals to keep up with the trends of video content to be seen.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Handle my social media. I love the creative aspect of designing and coming up with ideas for social campaigns or copy. However, I wouldn't say I like planning when to post, scheduling, sourcing trending hashtags (do they help discoverability and engagement?), and keeping up with the latest trends and algorithm changes.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Going to a college dedicated to art and design will be the best decision you will ever make, don't listen or care about what anyone tells you otherwise.
At the same time, you don't always need a 'traditional' education. Be resourceful. If there is something you want to learn or enhance a particular skill, the internet is your best friend (plus it will save you a ton of $$$).
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I would love to get into the nitty-gritty side of marketing to understand better how to turn creative content into building a community or generating sales.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Being a product designer and entrepreneur, I know the power of having a great website. I would love to help small business owners or start-ups build a functional and beautiful website to deliver their mission to the world.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal collaboration would be with local Boston creatives. I am opening an alcohol-free bottle shop and would love to support local artists!
I am looking to utilize space in the shop to dedicate a wall to local photographers or painters to showcase their work. It would also be great for other creatives with physical goods such as fashion, textiles, candles, pottery, and many more to come into the shop and use space for a pop-up event.
Q: What is your rate?
Hourly is typical $80; Every project is different depending on scope and timeline.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Reach out to me via email for potential projects and collaborations!
*If you are in the Boston area, reach out to grab a coffee!
Q Who is a creative you admire?
My talented graphic design friends! Kierra Byrd and Amelia Meno.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Get outside. Travel somewhere new. Be out of my comfort zone.
This member profile was originally published in April 2020, Updated in March 2022.