Meet Jud Kite

We were lucky to catch up with Jud Kite recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Jud with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I’m proud to say from my parents. 100%. Growing up on a cattle farm in rural Missouri is very hard work. As a kid, I never understood the “torture” my dad was putting me through with chores, and just the overall manual labor of farming. But now I see it has instilled in me a drive to not quit, stay busy and do a good job in everything I try to accomplish, in the art world or any other field.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Killer Kite Productions has been my company since getting it kicked off in 1999. At first it was a side gig to boost funds. My clientele grew steadily and as of 6 years ago, I made it my full time gig. Killer Kite specializes in all areas of marketing; logo and complete brand design, poster and brochure design, social media marketing, full campaigns, etc. I never say no to a job, I just find a way to get it done in the Killer Kite umbrella of excellent work.

I also co-own a pop culture con called Fountain City Con. A creator based convention filled with comic books, toys, role playing, console and board games, cosplay, and anything else pop culture. It’s been a fun, and challenging new aspect of my overall Killer Kite concept.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
3 qualities: 1. the aforementioned work ethic — I wouldn’t be at the level I’m at without it.
2. never turning down work — there are a MILLION great designers out there, I’m no dummy in ignoring that. I feel the minute I say no to a job, they will find someone else and stick with them. I’m now empty handed and left behind.
3. My ability to turn a regular client-designer connection into more of a relationship — I care about my clients, and want to be more than just a designer who invoices them for work. I feel that might make my work jump off the page even more.

Advice:
There’s a TON of work out there, even in a slow period where clients are watching their bottom lines. You just have to be savvy and patient in finding it. And when you do, do it WELL.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I would say this is an every day challenge, and that is to stay current, or on peoples’ minds. The minute they find out or decide they need something in their marketing scheme — I’m the guy they reach out to.

I also want to keep learning. New design trends, or old trends that could be revisited. Is my “niche” design still working? You never know it all.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Jud photo by Nikki Moreno

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