Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mackenzie Kuck. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mackenzie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I’ve been an artist all my life — observing and capturing the world around me through drawing is at the core of who I am. I’ve always known that my purpose in this world lies in my creative practice; it was just a question of which direction I’d take my creativity in order to really let it blossom.
I learned early on that I had an affinity for design as much as I did art for art’s sake. As a young artist in grade school I kept a sketchbook full of women’s fashion designs, and I often would use drawing as a tool to think about my own style and what outfits I could put together. I learned to sew from my Family & Consumer Science class, and I have always considered that to be my favorite class from my formative years. This new skill empowered me to take an idea on paper and bring it to life in 3-dimensional form. Since my family didn’t own a sewing machine, any project I worked on I would patiently sew by hand. I loved the tactile nature of fabrics and the chance to work with my hands to create something new.
I also became curious about buildings and interiors, and I enjoyed dreaming up house facades and trying my best to draw the floor plan of my own childhood home. I loved the endless possibilities that architectural design presented. In high school, I took advantage of my school’s class offerings in interior design. I remember thinking it was one of the most intense classes I’d taken in terms of workload, and yet also one of the most exciting and fulfilling. At the same time, I was also developing a passion for environmental sustainability. I felt burdened by the environmental challenges presented to our world today, and I was excited to address these challenges through design.
These experiences helped to solidify my decision to pursue a career in architecture, and I went on to earn my Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arkansas in 2020.
Despite graduating college during the peak of the pandemic, I boldly moved from the Midwest to Washington DC to start my career as an architectural designer at my dream firm. I loved this experience getting to work on high-profile projects, opportunities to collaborate with others, and the satisfaction of seeing my creative work come to life. Yet, I missed the looseness and tactile qualities of making art that made me first fall in love with design. I loved being a designer, but I missed being an artist.
After work, I started to sketch and paint again – this time of non-architectural subject matter like florals, landscapes, and other botanical subjects. I gave myself permission to be more loose with my hand, less bound by the “rules” and proportions of architecture, and more free to just experiment. I found my younger artist self brought to life again, and I felt a sense of ease in the simple act of creating just for the fun of it.
At work, I found myself strolling by the materials library in the office, just to run my hands along the textile samples, dreaming about working more directly with the materials themselves and imagining how these stunning materials came into being.
Allowing my curiosity to take over, I started doing some research on the textile industry, wanting to understand how certain fabrics were developed, where the fibers came from, and the environmental impact of the global textile industry. I was shocked by negative health and environmental impacts and realized there was a massive need for more sustainable options for both fashion and interiors. I wanted to know how my artwork could intersect with the development of textiles. Through the discovery of surface pattern design for eco-friendly fabrics, I was able to weave together my design background, my artistic eye, and my passion for the environment into this exciting new craft. Designing fabrics has brought back memories of sewing projects by hand as a young maker and cheerfully sketching out pages and pages of fashion designs. Not only has surface pattern design helped connect me to my younger self, but it has renewed my sense of purpose to the world through sustainability and the creation of beauty for others to enjoy.
I have since departed the architectural profession to explore my career as an artist and surface pattern designer. Since pivoting my career, I have worked to sharpen my artistic style and create a collection of natural fabrics for the fashion and interiors industries. I’m excited about where my career will take me, and I wake up every day with optimism for how my art helps shape the world for the better.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
In 2023, I launched my textile label Take Heart Textiles, which helps make sustainable, natural fabrics in bold prints accessible to other designers and creatives. I want to make it easy and fun for others to enjoy eco-friendly materials in their everyday lives. Under this brand, I also launched a collection of reusable gift wrap made from fabric. This line of gift wrap is made in Washington DC with organic cotton. Unlike conventional wrapping paper, the reusable gift wrap can be washed and reused over and over again. It requires zero tape and has many versatile applications beyond gift giving, such as scarves, dog bandanas, and tea towels. Launching this line of gift wrap has been a fun way to get the conversation going with others about zero-waste living and how we can utilize textiles as a force for good in the world. Alongside my textile line, I also sell my original paintings and prints of the artwork. I really enjoy getting to connect with others about the work and what inspires me as an artist. I am continuing to develop fabric designs sold by the yard to make sourcing fun and eco-friendly fabrics easy for other designers and makers. My focus is currently on expanding my portfolio, developing new fabric and gift wrap designs, and getting my products stocked in stores to help reach a wider audience.
Take Heart Textiles is also a proud corporate partner of Plant With Purpose, a San Diego based non-profit that works in nine countries and counting to help reverse deforestation and rural poverty. We donate a portion of our sales to help support their very important work.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The first quality that I think has carried me this far is having a really strong work ethic.
Architecture school can be grueling; the deadlines are intense and the hours spent in the studio are really long. I managed to do pretty well in school while balancing a part time job throughout my entire education. So, when I considered pivoting my career, I believed in myself and knew that I had what it takes to work really hard at what I was passionate about.
Next, I had to be willing to not care what other people think.
By the time I was ready to launch my business, my identity was so wrapped up in being an architect. I never imagined that I would leave the profession, and for a while I really worried about what my coworkers, family, and friends would think. What helped me get over it was asking myself: if at the end of my life, if I never seriously pursued my art, would I regret it? When I realized the answer was absolutely yes, worrying about what others might think became trivial.
Last, I invested in furthering my education while valuing the education and experience I already had.
I could have looked back wishing I’d gotten my degree in art or surface pattern design instead of architecture, but truthfully, I’m happy I got my architecture degree. It got me to where I am and has helped me become a better design thinker and collaborator. I’m grateful for my education and will never regret investing in myself. Beyond that, however, I have also pursued continuing education to sharpen other skills and expand my knowledge base. In 2024 I earned my certificate in Tropical Forest Landscape Conservation from Yale University. It helped me understand the relationship between ecology and design and has helped equip me with the knowledge I needed to design and source materials responsibly.
It’s easy to get caught up in what other people think and their approval, but all you really need is to prove to yourself that you’ve got what it takes and be willing to just go for it. Don’t let your education or job history limit you. So far, most of the artists and designers I look up to started in a trajectory very different from where they are now. It just goes to show that the future possibilities for your life really are as broad as you allow them to be.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
My dream is to collaborate with other designers on really bespoke projects like furniture, wallcoverings, or fashion. I love a good collab and think magic happens when creative minds work together. If you’ve got a project in mind, connect with me at [email protected] and let’s make it happen!
Contact Info:
- Website: mackenziekuck.com
- Instagram: @mackenziekuck
Image Credits
Mackenzie Kuck
