Q: Where are you from?
A: Mansfield Depot, CT
Q: How did you choose this career path?
A: I am from a family of artists. I always took art classes and writing classes and aspired to be a writer (novelist & poet). When I went to college, I was studying English to further my love of writing. Within a semester at college I couldn’t hold back from my artistic side and was accepted into the art program as well (as a painting major). I loved painting and still do, but as I continued in my 2 degrees, I found a love for Graphic Design as well. So, in the end I graduated with a degree in English, degree in Art (Graphic Design), and also minored in Art History & creative writing.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the variety of work that I get to be a part of. I love that I flip between print work, digital, logo design, and large scale graphics depending upon the day and the project.
Q: What is the strangest job you’ve ever had?
A: I worked at an ice cream shop in college and was allergic to diary — strange place to work when you’re covered in ice cream at the end of the day but can’t consume it even in the smallest amount.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: Yes – 2 amazing older cats. Oprah (“Mama Cat”) and Wysteria (“Nunu”).
Q: Name one thing on your bucket list.
A: Travel more of the world. When I graduated from College, Matt & I backpacked through Italy for 5 weeks — it was an amazing adventure. I’d like to do the same for other countries in Europe and see more art museums, take cooking classes, and just explore.
Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
A: Kayaking, playing UNO (with my son & husband), and canning / preserving all of the wonderful food that we grow in our large garden & pick locally
Q: What’s your favorite food?
A: Rhubarb is my favorite — I make a large amount of rhubarb jam after we pick it from the garden and we all love the tartness of it.
Q: If you were a Crayola crayon, what color would you be?
A: Cerulean Blue
Q: You’re about to perform in a karaoke bar. What song do you pick?
A: Grease / You’re The One That I Want
Q: If you could live in a TV show, book, or movie, which one would you pick?
A: I would love to live on the set of the show “Speechless” and be able to hang out with, watch & talk with all of the amazing people on the cast. It’s a hysterical show, and filled with an amazing cast – would be great to hear from the writers on their perspective of writing for the show and how you bring together so much humor, sensitivity & honor to appropriately portray the family and all of the struggles they encounter and push through.
Q: If you could hang out with anyone for a day, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
A: My Grandfather on my dad’s side, Grandpa Thurber. He was an amazing & kind person. He passed away when I was 14 … and I would love to talk with him about everyone, but especially typography & printing presses. He had a printing press in his basement and would print things for different businesses all the time. I remember helping him do handwork as a kid. As a graphic designer who holds letterpress to the highest level, it would be wonderful to share that with him — and know what it meant to him in his life.
Director of Creative Services
Katie Marrotte
Katie graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2005, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, and a Bachelor of Arts in English. She also completed a minor in Art History and earned a certificate in Creative Writing. Her education was inspired by growing up in a household with parents that used handcrafts and watercolor painting to express themselves, and uses a love of nature and art to find inspiration in the world around her.
Katie previously held a graphic design position at How2Design and has also led design and marketing campaigns for a few of her own clients in a variety of fields.