
KAREN POLASKI
WANTS TO HELP YOUR BRAND SHINE
I’m a dedicated creative professional with broad and deep experience
in design, communication, and people and process management.
I am a talented designer.
I care about the concept and the details.
I know the creative process.
I love deadlines.
I solve problems on the fly.
I can inspire and manage a team.
I collaborate.
I learn from every project.
I don’t take myself too seriously.
I want to do good work with good clients.

BEAUTIFUL
ART DIRECTION & DESIGN
I’m an award winner because I design an on-brand point of view into every project — one that respects the message and the audience. And I bring a commitment to excellence, a devotion to details and an unflagging sense of ownership.

HAPPY
TEAM LEADERSHIP
I am inspired by managing a team: learning, teaching and growing professionally and personally. I manage to strengths, lead with respect, foster confidence and encourage collaboration. And I want us all to have fun.
Massimo Vignelli
Styles come and go. Good design is a language, not a style.
You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.
HISTORY
I built and managed teams of designers and production artists providing editorial, packaging, marketing, advertising and event design. In addition to creating most-beautiful-in-niche products, we increased efficiency and on-time performance, while regularly coming in under budget.
Sounds True / Louisville, Colorado / Multi-media publishing company
Catalyst Communication / Boulder, Colorado / National syndicated marketer for independent retailers
New Hope Communications / Boulder, Colorado / Publisher of trade magazines
MANAGING ART DIRECTOR
For smaller companies and working independently, I have been a one-woman creative department, handling everything from developing strategy to design, copywriting, client relations and press checks.
Cogent Communication / Lafayette, Colorado / Independent design, writing and project management
Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Magazine / Denver, Colorado / Regional consumer magazine
New York Times Magazine Group / Trumbull, Connecticut / Publisher of trade magazines
DESIGNER & ART DIRECTOR
Wim Hovens
Good design is in all the things you notice.
Great design is in all the things you don’t.
Thanks for visiting. Please share feedback, questions and ideas for working together.