We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kelsey Kleiner. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Kelsey, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that is bringing me joy lately is my Traveler’s Notebook. I’m a planner girl, and have been for as long as I can remember; obsessing over getting the new planner every school year that was branded with my School logo and colors.
Within the past few weeks I decided to go back to using a Traveler’s Notebook (also known as a TN) for my planning system, and it’s brought me so much happiness since I made the switch. I used the TN system heavily right after I had graduated college but had switched to other systems in the years since, but as someone who is multifaceted with many passions having a interchangeable system like a TN with notebooks for different areas in one place has been wonderful.
I’ve also really gotten into fountain pens, I bought my first Kaweco Sport in late October of 2024, and have been using fountain pens pretty much exclusively since. They just bring so much joy to writing for me, regardless of if it’s in my journal, therapy notebook, business notes etc. it makes writing so much more enjoyable for me and long term it is more sustainable with refilling my pens with ink.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a third generation artist and founder/owner of OneTen The Studio® LLC, a creative studio and digital type foundry located in the heart of the PA Wilds, in Pennsylvania (USA).
OneTen The Studio® is driven by my love for letterforms. I’ve recently pivoted the studio from focusing primarily on branding, to focusing on type design; retail typefaces, custom type for clients, logotype consulting, and modifications of our font library typefaces for clients. I do still plan on taking on occasional branding projects as it is something that brings me joy.
I just had a launch in late July of a project that I’ve been working on for almost the past year, that I would love to share with your readers. I was part of the pilot for the PA Wilds Collaborative Series and was paired with a local manufacturer to produce products inspired by the region. At the center of my project was a typeface revival, called OT Wilds and an icon pack that I drew and were used across my designs. The project can be explored here: https://www.onetenthestudio.com/pages/pa-wilds-collaborative
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I am fortunate that I have had many hardworking, accomplished and influential people in my life to look up to but I think in terms of who has taught me the most about work it would have to be my mom, Julie.
An artist herself, she is someone who helped nurture my love for art, drawing, and letters while I was growing up. She has always had her own business in addition to working on commissions, and working other jobs like when she worked at the local library. She has been an example of entrepreneurship for me throughout my life. When I was in college I had planned to work for others once I graduated and hadn’t seen myself running my own business but when it did turn into that a few years ago, she was supportive and offering her best advice.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh, yes. To be honest, I’ve almost given up on my business multiple times. Running a business, being responsible for everything and anything, can be so hard and so lonely. However, every time I really considered it, the universe would send something my way, like a project or a really fantastic idea, and I would change my mind. Running a business is hard, but I do enjoy the freedom it gives me. You have to compare the pros and cons and decide what is most important for you.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I don’t think that this is tied to the design/branding industry specifically, as it could apply to many areas of business but the idea of having “overnight success” is a lie as well as the number of followers on your social media meaning you have tons of clients coming your way.
To the outside it appears like “overnight success” but behind the scenes there are years of work and hundreds of hours (probably mostly unpaid) that a business owner puts into it before they have that viral video or celebrity purchase that causes their business to skyrocket. In the age of social media it’s sooooo easy to compare your business to someone else’s, and feel like you’re doing it wrong but that isn’t fair to yourself, sometimes it comes down to who you know, or on occasion pure luck.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I think I am doing what I was born to do — I’m a third generation artist and have always been creative and had a love for drawing, writing, pens, pencils and paper even before I could talk. It might have taken a roundabout way to get to where I am now with studying Type Design and having that be my focus, but I think even if I had made a different decision a few years ago, I might have still gotten here. Type design just makes sense for me, and clicks for me in a way that other areas of design didn’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onetenthestudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onetenthestudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-kleiner/
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