Meet Caitlin Utka of Sophisticaity Designs in Orange County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Utka.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Caitlin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started getting into calligraphy about three years ago. At first, I just did it by hand and pretty much taught myself with the help of the internet, and then about two years ago I bought myself an iPad Pro so that I could explore more with calligraphy digitally. I also began going to school for graphic design and gained a lot of experience creating logos and business cards so I’ve dabbled in a lot of digital art and design. Since then, I’ve had a lot of commissions for anything from logos, to business cards, to wedding and bridal shower lettering, I even re-designed the beer board at a local karaoke bar which was my biggest and most fun project I’ve done so far!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not always! With any kind of art, you’re always learning and you are ALWAYS your own worst critic. It’s both a blessing and a curse because I can be kind of a perfectionist and always want to improve and get the best product out there that I can. So between just always trying to be better and needing to save up money to purchase the tools I need to follow my passion, it hasn’t been easy but it’s always been worth it.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sophisticaity Designs – what should we know?
As of right now, my business is mainly digital logos and business card designs, but I also can do hand lettering (signs, invitations, place cards, etc.) for weddings and special events. I’m hoping by next year I can expand into selling cups, signs, and other customized items on Etsy; I’ve been starting to purchase the tools I need so I can get started on this next journey ASAP!

I’m proud of the fact that, besides my graphic design schooling, I taught myself all of the calligraphy and artistic skills that I use for my designs. I call my business sophisticaity designs because I tend to lean towards a more simple, elegant style for the most part (unless the client wants something different of course!) and it’s also a play on my nickname, Caity!

What sets me apart from others, I think, is that I like to keep my client or whoever I’m designing for involved in the process. I send progress pictures to see what they think so that I can make changes and be sure they end up with exactly what they want in the end because that’s what really matters.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Oh, definitely. I can honestly say I wouldn’t still be doing this if it weren’t for the support of my friends and family. So many of my friends have not only ordered designs from me, but once in a while they will share my work or advertise my Instagram page, and it just means the world to me to have so many people on my team rooting for me and my business.

I’ve had days where I want to give up, and then I get a random message from a friend, sending me a video of calligraphy, or some kind of art, telling me “you could totally do this!” It just reminds me that I have so many people who believe in me and my talent, and I know I can keep going.

Contact Info:

• Email: sophisticaitydesigns@yahoo.com
• Instagram: sophisticaity.designs

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