Prima Materia Creative
©
Alchemy by Design
PRIMA MATERIA CREATIVE
PRIMA MATERIA CREATIVE
Alchemy by Design
PRIMA MATERIA CREATIVE
PRIMA MATERIA CREATIVE
Alchemy by Design
PRIMA MATERIA CREATIVE
Alchemy by Design
[Who am I?]
Hi, I'm Kristin. A Multidisciplinary Art + Creative Director.
With two decades developing and leading creative teams, shaping brands and the systems behind them from strategy to production, all on the same instinct: find what actually matters, then build it into something that moves people.
[01]
Projects
Case Studies
[02]
Creative Lens
My philosophy is rooted in impact and connection.
I design for endurance as much as impact, work that means something the moment you see it, and still holds up long after. That means balancing analytical thinking with intuition, tradition with innovation, and form with function, letting an artist's instinct and a designer's discipline sharpen each other. Every element has a purpose, and every project is a chance to turn an idea into something real.
[03]
Process
Creative Alchemy
For the past ten years, I've worked under the studio name Prima Materia Creative, a name drawn from alchemy, the ancient art of transformation. In alchemy, prima materia is the elemental substance from which all creation emerges, a reminder that every solution begins as formless potential. That's the mindset I bring to the start of every project: staying open and curious enough to let the real solution emerge, whether the work is a brand identity, a website, a video, a social campaign, print, or an experiential activation. The method stays the same.
The process is rarely linear. It moves forward, backward, and forward again. Less as a straight line and more a circle. A container for discovery.
01
Dissolution
Deconstructing the project into its fundamental components: deep immersion in objectives, audience, and market context. Research strips away assumption until only the essential elements remain.
02
Purification
Insight starts to emerge from that breakdown. Core messages distill, direction clarifies, and early concepts take shape as patterns surface and sharpen through iteration.
03
Transformation
Abstract ideas start becoming tangible solutions. Visual language and systems take form, refined through feedback, until cohesive frameworks emerge and each variation gets closer to the right balance of form and function.
04
Integration
All elements come together into a cohesive whole: deliverables refined and polished, implemented across platforms, documented thoroughly, so the work holds its shape in practice, not just in theory.
05
Impact
The goal is enduring value: sustainable systems built to keep evolving, and meaningful outcomes that create real connection.
[03]
Process
Creative Alchemy
For the past ten years, I've worked under the studio name Prima Materia Creative, a name drawn from alchemy, the ancient art of transformation. In alchemy, prima materia is the elemental substance from which all creation emerges, a reminder that every solution begins as formless potential. That's the mindset I bring to the start of every project: staying open and curious enough to let the real solution emerge, whether the work is a brand identity, a website, a video, a social campaign, print, or an experiential activation. The method stays the same.
The process is rarely linear. It moves forward, backward, and forward again. Less as a straight line and more a circle. A container for discovery.
01
Dissolution
Deconstructing the project into its fundamental components: deep immersion in objectives, audience, and market context. Research strips away assumption until only the essential elements remain.
02
Purification
Insight starts to emerge from that breakdown. Core messages distill, direction clarifies, and early concepts take shape as patterns surface and sharpen through iteration.
03
Transformation
Abstract ideas start becoming tangible solutions. Visual language and systems take form, refined through feedback, until cohesive frameworks emerge and each variation gets closer to the right balance of form and function.
04
Integration
All elements come together into a cohesive whole: deliverables refined and polished, implemented across platforms, documented thoroughly, so the work holds its shape in practice, not just in theory.
05
Impact
The goal is enduring value: sustainable systems built to keep evolving, and meaningful outcomes that create real connection.
[04]
Testimonials
Collaborations and Connections.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with, guided, and learned from so many amazing humans over my career thus far.
Kristin stood out as a key influence during my time at Rita. As a design lead, she has a special ability to break down ideas and communicate them through clear, thoughtful storytelling. Even in voice-only meetings, her calm tone and sharp analysis made every discussion valuable. What I appreciated most was how she could explain not just what we were doing, but why — always adding purpose and strategy to the design work I would later translate into code. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from her.
Gabriela
Junior Frontend Web Dev
Rita Group
Kristin stood out as a key influence during my time at Rita. As a design lead, she has a special ability to break down ideas and communicate them through clear, thoughtful storytelling. Even in voice-only meetings, her calm tone and sharp analysis made every discussion valuable. What I appreciated most was how she could explain not just what we were doing, but why — always adding purpose and strategy to the design work I would later translate into code. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from her.
Gabriela
Junior Frontend Web Dev
Rita Group
I worked with Kristin for over 8 years. Her vast knowledge of design, art direction, color theory, branding, brand development, technology, digital platforms, design software, design systems, web accessibility and UX/UI make her an indispensable part of the team. In addition to the above skillset, Kristin is driven and passionate. She works to create meaningful solutions on screen with the end user in mind. She has a thirst for learning and in this technologically driven fast paced industry, that thirst is priceless. She is always sharing her knowledge and empowering the team along with the entire organization. I was fortunate to collaborate and learn from her on numerous photoshoots where her art direction skills shined. She understands color, lighting, styling, retouching and so much more to yield the ultimate shots that were used across the entire organization in both digital and print pieces.
Selina
Art Director
Nature's Bounty
I worked with Kristin for over 8 years. Her vast knowledge of design, art direction, color theory, branding, brand development, technology, digital platforms, design software, design systems, web accessibility and UX/UI make her an indispensable part of the team. In addition to the above skillset, Kristin is driven and passionate. She works to create meaningful solutions on screen with the end user in mind. She has a thirst for learning and in this technologically driven fast paced industry, that thirst is priceless. She is always sharing her knowledge and empowering the team along with the entire organization. I was fortunate to collaborate and learn from her on numerous photoshoots where her art direction skills shined. She understands color, lighting, styling, retouching and so much more to yield the ultimate shots that were used across the entire organization in both digital and print pieces.
Selina
Art Director
Nature's Bounty
Kristin was so easy to talk to, I really enjoyed my conversation with her! I've been feeling kind of lost and unsure on what I want to do career-wise in design, but Kristin was able to give such helpful insights and actionable steps that I could do to help me figure things out. She also sent some design resources which I greatly appreciate!
Kathy
Mentee
ADPlist
Kristin was so easy to talk to, I really enjoyed my conversation with her! I've been feeling kind of lost and unsure on what I want to do career-wise in design, but Kristin was able to give such helpful insights and actionable steps that I could do to help me figure things out. She also sent some design resources which I greatly appreciate!
Kathy
Mentee
ADPlist
Kristin is an amazing mentor! We had a wonderful session about my confusion on how to work in a startup as a junior designer, she generously shared her experience, constructive advice, opinions and super helpful resources, I've learned a lot from her.
Lin
Mentee
ADPlist
Kristin is an amazing mentor! We had a wonderful session about my confusion on how to work in a startup as a junior designer, she generously shared her experience, constructive advice, opinions and super helpful resources, I've learned a lot from her.
Lin
Mentee
ADPlist
I met with Kristin with a lot of questions about freelancing and feeling a little lost in terms of my own plans and strategy. Her perspective as an experienced freelancer was so honest, refreshing and insightful. I'm so glad I got to meet with her and I'm feeling more encouraged now to keep exploring and learning who I am as a designer. The resources she shared are also so helpful!
Elaine
Mentee
Parsons School of Design
I met with Kristin with a lot of questions about freelancing and feeling a little lost in terms of my own plans and strategy. Her perspective as an experienced freelancer was so honest, refreshing and insightful. I'm so glad I got to meet with her and I'm feeling more encouraged now to keep exploring and learning who I am as a designer. The resources she shared are also so helpful!
Elaine
Mentee
Parsons School of Design
Kristin was so knowledgeable, authentic, and easy to speak with. I got the insights I was looking for from an experienced design professional on the role of design systems in her experiences. I even had the bonus of discussing a little about art in design.
Joe
CEO + Consultant
Kristin was so knowledgeable, authentic, and easy to speak with. I got the insights I was looking for from an experienced design professional on the role of design systems in her experiences. I even had the bonus of discussing a little about art in design.
Joe
CEO + Consultant