KIRSTEN WESTLUND

I began my college education as a fine art major, then over time I recognized that I also had an affinity for visual communication, and I expanded my focus to include illustration and graphic design in my education... In 1986 as a new designer/illustrator I got some prophetic advice from a mentor that set my career in a direction I would follow over the next 25 years. He declared, "If you aren't converting your traditional design skills to a digital toolbox, in 10 years you won't be working, and if you do it now you will be far ahead of the curve." I bought a state-of-the-art graphics computer system and never looked back. He was right, and I spent the next 15 years pushing the edge of technology for creation and communication with the emergence and growth of the internet. It was a period of intense growth personally and professionally. After helping to grow a digitally-focused Advertising Agency from 3 to 24 employees, I decided to pursue an independent path that would use my skills..