Here is the true story of how I became KittenChops...by overcoming such odds as a Prussian-style rigid education, a willful mother and the legendary Iron Curtain :)
Originally from Hungary - home country of Zsazsa Gábor, Béla Lugoshi and the Rubik cube - I grew up during the socialist ’70s, an era absent of consumerism.
Undistracted by TV on Mondays (only one channel was available on other days), commercials and sugary cereal, I immersed myself in studies and my country’s very creative folk,
artistic and literary traditions.
My interest in design and illustration, and fascination with consumer/Western printed media was obvious from age nine. I diligently kept a visual diary of collages assembled from my own drawings,
hand lettering, imported foreign language kids’ publications, and any Western packaging that made it past the Iron Curtain (I particularly coveted soap boxes and candy wrappers).
At 17, I took an overnight shopping trip to Vienna, and all that I only imagined came to life. I encountered billboards and experienced the visual bounty and allure of a fancy department store and
supermarket - aisles upon aisles of colorful packaging and products. From then on I knew I wasn’t going to become a History and English teacher as my Mom planned. Instead, I longed to participate in the creation of this magical commercial imagery.
Eventually I came to the States and earned my BA in graphic design from Western Washington University. After graduation I moved to Seattle where Starbucks Coffee Company brought me on board. For five years I worked in house with an excellent international team of artists and designers some of whom have became life long friends.
Currently, I run KittenChops as my own graphic design and illustration business, collaborating with
clients such as The Seattle Times, Theo Chocolate, K2. I still find inspiration in visually exciting,
foreign language magazines and books, particularly from Japan. I live in West Seattle with my
two cats, Cicka and Micu.
ABOUT:I/KittenChops
