Katie Cadwell
Multiple designers or career changes detected for this name. Profiles below are grouped by studio association.
At Lucky Dip
Co-Founder · Creative Director · Advisor · Designer
In their own words
Use your connections to your advantage.
You need to be loud online.
You’ve got to look out for number one
Just ensure the details are taken care of
Remind them that we’re not looking to replicate what someone else has already done
You’re not in exile, you’re on the forefront of a change that hasn’t happened yet.
My new year’s resolution is to be more analogue. More DIY.
We’re stronger and better together.
Ego is the number one attribute that hinders brilliant work.
Stagnating as a creative is the worst thing that can happen.
Articles & interviews
- “You may need to step down in order to segue”
This article from It’s Nice That’s 'Creative Career Conundrums' column, written by Katie Cadwell, offers advice to a mid-career professional seeking to transition into graphic design. Cadwell encourages leveraging existing industry experience, learning design fundamentals through courses like Shillington or online resources, and mastering tools such as Adobe and Figma. She emphasizes that stepping down to a junior role can be a strategic move toward becoming an art director within a decade.
- “Be loud online, build connections, and look for side doors...” – How to get seen by brands
In this edition of Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, offers advice to emerging designers on how to attract collaborations with major brands. She emphasizes the importance of online visibility, passion projects, networking, and finding indirect routes into big-name opportunities. The piece encourages creatives to focus on growth and consistency rather than comparison.
- “You’re well within your right to gatekeep your online voice”
In this edition of Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell advises a designer on how to set boundaries when asked to act as the public face of their studio online. She emphasizes the importance of protecting one’s personal brand, offering strategies to engage professionally without compromising authenticity. The piece underscores the value of personal branding and self-advocacy in creative careers.
- “The content is king”
Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, offers practical advice on portfolio formats in the latest Creative Career Conundrums column from If You Could Jobs. She emphasizes that strong content matters more than flashy presentation, encouraging designers to choose formats that best showcase their work while keeping usability and clarity in mind.
- “You’re not in exile, you’re on the forefront of a change”
This article from It’s Nice That’s 'Creative Career Conundrums' column, written by Katie Cadwell, addresses how regional creatives can encourage clients to look beyond local references and embrace broader creative influences. Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, offers practical advice on educating clients, using data, and celebrating regional design successes to foster ambition and innovation outside London.
- “We’re stronger and better together”
The article, part of the 'Creative Career Conundrums' series from If You Could Jobs, features reflections from Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, as she looks back on 2025 and shares her hopes for 2026. Cadwell emphasizes the importance of community, analogue creativity, and resisting overreliance on AI tools in creative work. The piece closes the year with a call for collaboration and hands-on creative exploration.
- “Ego is the number one attribute that hinders brilliant work”
In this edition of Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, responds to a Brazilian art director questioning their creative worth. Cadwell discusses ego, humility, and the importance of continual growth in a creative career, offering practical advice for building confidence and embracing progress. The piece is part of If You Could Jobs’ ongoing advice series for creative professionals.
- “Be super upfront about what you want
In this edition of Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell of Lucky Dip offers advice to a senior designer who wishes to stay hands-on rather than move into management. Cadwell encourages embracing one’s passion for craft, rejecting internalized ageism, and seeking workplaces that value experience and creative longevity. The piece promotes confidence in pursuing non-managerial creative roles at any age.
- "First Step to Rebuilding Career: Regain Confidence"
This edition of the 'Creative Career Conundrums' column by Katie Cadwell offers advice to a 40-year-old creative professional seeking to re-enter the industry after a career break. Cadwell emphasizes rebuilding confidence, reframing experience, and reconnecting with the creative community through networking and workshops. The article highlights supportive initiatives like Good Shout and figures like Jane Evans advocating for mid-life creatives.
- "Industry Issues Often Caused by 'Accidental Managers'"
This edition of the 'Creative Career Conundrums' column from If You Could Jobs, written by Katie Cadwell, explores the challenges faced by creatives who are promoted into management roles they never wanted. Cadwell argues that many industry issues stem from untrained or unwilling managers and offers advice on alternative career paths and leadership development resources. The piece highlights the importance of recognising different progression routes for creatives beyond traditional management tracks.
- "Generalists Ideal for Launching Creative Studios"
In this edition of If You Could’s Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, advises a young creative on whether to start their own studio or gain more experience first. She argues that generalists make strong studio founders due to their broad skills and exposure to business operations. The article encourages taking initiative, learning from others’ experiences, and trusting one’s readiness to begin a creative venture.
- "Top Risk for Freelancers: Lack of Self-Protection"
This article from It’s Nice That’s Creative Career Conundrums column, written by Katie Cadwell, offers practical advice for new freelancers on how to protect themselves from scams and professional risks. Cadwell emphasizes the importance of contracts, business accounts, insurance, and community support for creative freelancers. The piece also highlights resources like With Jack, Creative Boom’s The Studio, and Freelancing Support by Matthew Knight.
- "Lucky Dip Modernizes Narai Hospitality's Historic Logo for Digital Future"
Lucky Dip rebranded Narai Hospitality Group by reviving a historic ‘NH’ icon from the company’s archives and adapting it for digital use. The new identity features a custom typeface, geometric illustrations, and a triangular system symbolising the group’s three business areas. The project balances heritage with modernity to strengthen the group’s unified brand presence.
- "Expert Advises: Remove Corporate Work from Portfolio for Creative Jobs"
This week’s Creative Career Conundrums column, written by Katie Cadwell of Lucky Dip, offers advice to designers stuck in uninspiring corporate roles. Cadwell encourages creatives to curate their portfolios toward the work they want, remove overly corporate projects, and build networks through industry events like D&AD and Birmingham Design Fest. The piece emphasizes proactive networking and portfolio curation as key steps to landing more fulfilling creative roles.
- "Crafting an Impactful Portfolio: What Truly Matters"
In this installment of If You Could’s Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, advises emerging designers on how to present their portfolios effectively without paying for premium website hosting. She emphasizes that the quality and clarity of the work matter more than the platform, recommending tools like Figma or Google Slides and encouraging participation in portfolio reviews.
- "Curating Design Sources to Avoid Burnout and Boost Creativity"
Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, shares advice on managing creative inspiration overload in the weekly 'Creative Career Conundrums' column from If You Could Jobs. She encourages designers to curate their reference sources intentionally, limit exposure to constant design content, and set boundaries for consuming creative media. The piece explores how mindful curation can preserve originality and reduce burnout in the creative process.
- Navigating the Realities of a Creative Career
In this installment of If You Could Jobs’ Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell, co-founder of branding studio Lucky Dip, offers advice to a designer struggling with self-doubt and creative pressure. She reassures readers that creative careers are rarely effortless and encourages finding joy through personal projects and patience in skill development.
- "Finding Studios That Truly Value Diverse Talent"
Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, responds to a reader’s question about whether design studios truly hire people without traditional design degrees. She acknowledges industry biases toward prestigious schools but highlights initiatives like JKR Sparks, Koto’s Seasoned, and D&AD Shift that support diverse entry routes. The piece encourages job seekers to find studios that genuinely value varied backgrounds and to improve portfolio presentation skills.
- "Repurposing Rejected Work Boosts Creative Growth, Advises Industry Expert"
This installment of the 'Creative Career Conundrums' column by Katie Cadwell explores what designers can do with unused or rejected client work. Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, encourages creatives to repurpose or share such work responsibly, emphasizing that its rejection doesn’t diminish its value. The article offers practical advice on portfolio presentation and professional growth.
- Lucky Dip Revamps Relesys Identity to Empower Workforce
Creative studio Lucky Dip has rebranded employee engagement platform Relesys with a bold, sports-inspired identity centered around a podium motif and a punchy red palette. The rebrand shifts focus from technology to people, using custom typography, hand-drawn illustrations, and a motivational tone to position Relesys as 'The Motivator' in its industry. The new system includes a website, digital toolkit, and flexible brand assets that empower the internal team to champion the brand.
- "Embrace Change or Be Left Behind, Creative Industry Expert Advises"
This installment of If You Could Jobs’ Creative Career Conundrums features advice from Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, on staying relevant in a rapidly evolving creative industry. She encourages designers to embrace new tools like Figma and AI with curiosity rather than fear, emphasizing that growth and adaptability are key to career advancement.
- "Job Changes: A Natural Career Progression, Navigating Awkwardness"
This edition of the Creative Career Conundrums column, written by Katie Cadwell of Lucky Dip, offers advice on how to navigate the awkwardness of job hunting while still employed. Cadwell reassures readers that changing jobs is a normal part of career growth and shares personal experience on handling transparency with employers. The piece is part of the ongoing If You Could Jobs advice series hosted by It’s Nice That.
- "Setting Professional Boundaries with Your Manager"
This article is part of the 'Creative Career Conundrums' advice series from If You Could Jobs, written by Katie Cadwell. It addresses how to set professional boundaries with a manager who blurs the line between friendship and work, offering practical communication strategies to maintain professionalism without damaging rapport.
- Freelancers: Persist in Studio Outreach, Says Expert
The article, part of the 'Creative Career Conundrums' series from If You Could Jobs, features advice from Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, on how new freelancers can effectively reach out to studios and agencies. She encourages thoughtful outreach, visibility on social media, and persistence when contacting potential clients. The piece also highlights the value of networking, introductions, and using recruiters strategically.
- "Turning Zigzag Paths into Goal Progress: Creative Career Advice"
In this edition of Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, offers advice to a designer feeling stuck after multiple layoffs. She encourages viewing career shifts as part of a broader zig-zag path, emphasizing transferable skills and the value of side projects for creative growth and autonomy.
- "Boost Your Next Salary Talk with Essential Stats"
This article from It’s Nice That’s 'Creative Career Conundrums' column, written by Katie Cadwell, offers advice on how creative professionals can approach salary negotiations confidently. Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip and The NDA Podcast, encourages readers to prepare with salary data, set clear expectations, and negotiate assertively. The piece aims to empower designers and creatives to advocate for fair pay and professional growth.
- "Aiming for More Inclusive Hiring in Creative Industries by 2025"
The article is a year-end reflection by Katie Cadwell for the Creative Career Conundrums advice column, published by It’s Nice That and If You Could Jobs. Cadwell discusses recurring themes from reader questions, such as inclusivity, returning to the industry, and transparency in contracts, while expressing hope for more diverse hiring and open conversations in 2025.
- Brilliant initiatives support women reentering the industry
In this edition of If You Could’s Creative Career Conundrums, Katie Cadwell, co-founder of Lucky Dip, offers advice to a returning female design director on rebuilding confidence and reentering the creative industry after a career break. Cadwell encourages embracing lived experience, updating portfolios with modern tools, and exploring initiatives supporting women reentering the workforce.
At It’s Nice That
Author
In their own words
Sadly, there is an assumption that just because you’re a great creative, you’ll make a great manager
Focus on bettering the studio output overall
The classic phrase that someone has ‘too much experience’ really shouldn't be relevant in our industry.
What message are we sending them?
Articles & interviews
- "Most Creative Directors Lack Management Training"
Katie Cadwell’s weekly Creative Career Conundrums column for If You Could Jobs explores what it means to be a creative director without a team to manage. She discusses how leadership and management skills can be developed even in small teams, offering practical advice and resources for creatives looking to strengthen their directing abilities. The piece highlights the gap in management training among creative directors and encourages proactive learning.
- Breaking Monotony Without AI: A Creative Approach
Katie Cadwell’s weekly Creative Career Conundrums column for If You Could Jobs addresses how designers can handle a boss overly reliant on AI-generated mockups. She advises demonstrating better design practices through curated examples, improved visuals, and collaborative workshops to raise studio standards without confrontation.
- "Need for More Age Diversity in Creative Teams Highlighted"
Katie Cadwell’s column for If You Could Jobs explores the lack of age diversity in creative teams and the challenges faced by older professionals in the industry. She argues that experienced creatives bring invaluable insight and stability, and that the industry should better support and celebrate them. The piece highlights examples of senior designers still thriving and calls for more inclusive representation across creative workplaces.
- "Empowering Women in Creative Workspaces to Speak Up"
In this edition of If You Could’s Creative Career Conundrums, writer Katie Cadwell offers advice to a young woman motion designer navigating unconscious bias in a male-dominated team. She encourages calling out microaggressions, finding supportive female networks, and seeking mentorship to foster confidence and authenticity at work.