Meet Kay Graves

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kay Graves. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kay below.

Kay, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.

I’m a firm believer of what you put out in the world, you get back. So with that in mind, I’ve always loved being a giver and being kind in whatever way I can be. I would say it came from my mom. She does many things, from cooking to baking and sewing. I grew up watching her give pies and desserts to family and friends to brighten their spirits and host gatherings where we all eat and enjoy one another’s company. From her I learned how to spread love that way. We can be generous with many things like giving affirmations to friends or lending a hand to someone in need. There’s no one way to be generous and generosity is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

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?

Hello! I’m Kayla Graves, a graphic designer and illustrator based in Columbus, Ohio. Art has been my thing since I could hold a crayon, and I was that kid always doodling everywhere. My mom saw my potential and enrolled me in an arts-focused school, where I got to explore all kinds of creative magic. I immersed myself deep in the world of visual arts. Then came photography and visual communications, aka my introduction to graphic design. And it was love at first pixel. That passion took me to the Columbus College of Art & Design, where I sharpened my skills in design and fell even harder for illustration. Now, I get to do what I love every day, bringing ideas to life for some amazing brands. I’m freelancing too! So if you need designs or illustrations, let’s make something awesome together. I’m open for commissions, let’s chat!

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?

Loving what you do, staying focused, and always being willing to grow, those three things have shaped my journey as a graphic designer and illustrator. If you’re just starting out, keep pushing and creating! Keep sketching, jotting down your ideas, and giving them a place to live.

But don’t just stay in your creative bubble, make sure you get out! Hang with friends, explore new places, fall in love and soak in inspiration from every corner of life. Creativity doesn’t just happen at your desk, it thrives in the experiences you collect along the way. So keep going, keep growing, and most importantly, keep making dope stuff!

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When life or work starts to feel overwhelming, I remind myself to pause. Sometimes that means stepping outside for a quick walk, calling a friend or family member, or taking a bigger break, like a hike or a spontaneous trip to a nearby city. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind, but real growth happens when we give ourselves the time and space to recharge. It’s the little things make all the difference like staying hydrated, practicing positive self-talk, and reminding ourselves that rest is just as important as hustle. At the end of the day, self-care isn’t a luxury but it’s the foundation of living a good life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kaylagraves.co
• Instagram: @kaylagravesdesigns

Image Credits

All artworks and photography are by me