A Bit About Me
Hi, I'm Katelyn Buerkel, but most people know me as Katie.
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I was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and lived there until my family moved to Petoskey in 2016. The move had a huge impact on me. I went from a busy city to a small northern Michigan town where everyone seemed to know everyone. As a teenager, it was intimidating, and for a while I found myself trying to fit in instead of expressing my creativity. During those years, I poured my energy into athletics, playing varsity softball and competing on my school's powerlifting team. Those experiences taught me discipline, teamwork, and the strong work ethic that continues to guide me today.
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Everything changed during my senior year of high school when I enrolled in a Photoshop class at North Central Michigan College. That class sparked something in me, and I knew I had found the career I wanted to pursue. It inspired me to attend Central Michigan University, where I earned my degree in Graphic Design.
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Since graduating, I've had the opportunity to work at a local print shop, Personal Graphics, where I've spent the past year turning creative ideas into finished products. Working in both the design and production sides of the industry has shown me how rewarding it is to help customers bring their visions to life. One of my favorite parts of my job is collaborating with people, learning about their ideas, and watching those ideas become something tangible—whether it's custom apparel, promotional products, signage, or branding they can proudly use every day.
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Graphic design is more than creating something that looks great on a screen. It's about creating designs with purpose—pieces that tell a story, represent a business, celebrate a community, or become something people can wear, share, and enjoy for years to come.
I'm always excited to take on new creative challenges and work with customers to develop fresh, meaningful designs that reflect their vision. Thank you for taking the time to visit my portfolio. I hope my work inspires you, and I look forward to the opportunity to create something special with you.