About Kel
Kel Lauren (They/Them) is a graphic designer and content creator originally from Lake Placid, New York, later growing up in Newcastle, California. They studied graphic design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, graduating in 2016. Their creative journey started when they designed bootleg t-shirts in middle school, which eventually lead to collaborations with major artists like The Rolling Stones and the Foo Fighters. Now based in Portland, Oregon, Kel shares their passion for design through YouTube, making the world of graphic design more accessible and inspiring the next generation of creators..
Design Style
Kel Lauren’s design philosophy blends nostalgia, bold storytelling, and a DIY punk ethos. They draw inspiration from vintage aesthetics, music culture, and raw, handcrafted design, creating work that feels both timeless and rebellious. Kel embraces imperfections, believing that design should have personality and emotion rather than striving for sterile perfection. Their approach is experimental and intuitive, often incorporating analog techniques like screen printing and hand-drawn elements. Through their YouTube channel, they emphasize accessibility, encouraging designers to break rules, trust their instincts, and push creative boundaries. For Kel, great design isn’t just about aesthetics: it’s about meaning, impact, and authenticity.
Merchandise Design
Ariana Grande
Kel's merchandise design is heavily influenced by music culture, blending vintage aesthetics with bold, experimental visuals. They’ve worked with major artists, including Ariana Grande, crafting designs that capture the essence of an artist’s brand while maintaining their signature raw and nostalgic style. Kel’s approach often incorporates distressed textures, hand-drawn elements, and a DIY feel, making each piece feel authentic and unique. Their work isn’t just about selling merch, it’s about storytelling, creating wearable art that resonates with fans. Whether designing for rock legends or pop icons, Kel brings a fresh, rebellious energy to every project they take on.
Record Packaging
Maude Latour
Kel approaches record packaging design with a strong focus on storytelling and emotional depth. Collaborating with artists like Maude Latour, they craft visuals that not only complement the music but also create a lasting, tactile experience. Their designs often incorporate a mix of vintage textures, bold typography, and unconventional layouts, resulting in packaging that feels raw yet intentional. By blending analog and digital techniques, Kel brings a sense of nostalgia while keeping the work fresh and modern. Their goal is to make album packaging more than just a cover, it’s an extension of the music’s identity and energy.
Poster Design
The Jonas Brothers
Kel's poster designs are a bold mix of rebellion and nostalgia, channeling the raw energy of music into eye-catching visuals. Their work with the Jonas Brothers showcases their ability to balance mainstream appeal with a distinctive, handcrafted aesthetic. Kel often experiments with collage, risograph textures, and experimental typography, pushing beyond traditional poster formats. Inspired by old gig flyers and underground zines, they create designs that feel both timeless and fresh. Their posters aren’t just promotional, they’re immersive experiences, built to engage fans, celebrate an artist’s journey, and serve as lasting artifacts of music culture.
Influence
Kel Lauren has significantly influenced the design community by merging vintage aesthetics with modern sensibilities, inspiring a resurgence of nostalgic yet innovative design trends. Through their YouTube channel, they offer tutorials, project breakdowns, and candid discussions about the design industry, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. Kel's active presence on social media platforms fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging designers to share ideas and challenge conventions. In 2024, they co-launched the "kelliot!" podcast, providing insights into the design world and further solidifying their role as a thought leader in the creative community.