Member Spotlight: Kimberly Diedrich

March 01, 2010 Filed Under: Member Spotlight 0 Comments

Kimberly Diedrich, AIGA Member Since 2006
Graphic Designer, Image Resource Group and Freelance

1. Where are you from?
Originally from Upstate New York (Adirondacks). My family moved to the Charlotte area when I was in grade school and I've lived here ever since.

2. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would love to be a Dog Psychologist/Behaviorist. I've always had a love for animals, but never paid much attention to training or behavior until I got my dog a year and a half ago. He was a handful to say the least, but he's come a long way! It's surprising how receptive they are once you communicate to them in a way they understand.

3. What attracted you to the design profession? Did you have particular mentors or experiences that opened the door to the profession for you?
When I first went to college, I was studying Biochemistry @ Clemson University. I wanted to go into Pediatrics from the time I knew what a career was. That plan fell through when I realized how much chemistry and I don't get along - not to mention my "hypodermic needle-phobia". I took time off from school to do a co-op with the Disney College Program. I've always been a Disney girl - instead of drawing superheros or comics, I would doodle Mickey Mouse. Drawing/art was my escape, a kind of stress reliever, but I never considered it could be a career. Then I attended a Career InSight event featuring Chris Chapman of Disney Design Group. Chris spoke about his basic day-to-day task and I found it intriguing. I like the functionality design creates - art with a purpose and the idea of visually communicating. The more I learned about design, the more I was attracted to it. When my co-op ended, I went back to school and began studying graphic design - 5 years later...here I am.

4. What would people be surprised to know about you?
I'm training my dog for bikejoring and urban mushing. No snow for dog sledding down here. It's been a lot of fun and takes a lot of trust!

5. What's one goal (professional or personal) you have for the future?
I hope to become a creative at Walt Disney Imagineering one day.

About Kimberly Diedrich
To find out more about Kimberly please see her work on Behance and check her out on LinkedIn

About AIGA Charlotte's Member Spotlight
Each month AIGA Charlotte interviews a selected AIGA Charlotte Member. It is a great opportunity for the Charlotte design community to see who AIGA Charlotte is along all the amazing things our members are doing. If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed and appear on AIGA Charlotte’s Member Spotlight, please contact Rachel Martin, Membership Director.