For this month’s Smart City Spotlight, we sat down with Katie Short, Graphic Designer at Smart City Networks. With more than a decade of experience in marketing and event-driven environments, Katie brings a strong mix of creativity and strategic thinking to the Corporate Marketing team.
Katie’s work supports teams throughout the organization, from internal materials and marketing assets to photo editing, form design, and larger projects like the Pinnacle.
In our conversation, Katie shared her approach to graphic design, the projects she’s been most proud of so far, and what makes the team culture at Smart City Networks so collaborative. She also offered a behind-the-scenes look at the thoughtful problem-solving that goes into her work. Be sure to stick around to learn about her unexpected Renaissance Faire hobby and the creative skills that come with it. Katie Short, this is your Spotlight!
Hi Katie! Let’s start with your background. Can you tell us a little about your background and how you got into graphic design? What first drew you to design, and what experiences helped shape your style or approach?
K: I was always the art kid growing up. I drew and painted constantly, so being creative just felt like my default setting. In high school, I took a few graphic design classes and ended up winning some design contests, and that’s when it really clicked for me that this could be more than just a hobby.
What hooked me was that graphic design felt like art with a puzzle built in. It wasn’t just about making something look nice. It had a job to do. It had to communicate clearly and actually work for an audience. I loved that mix of creativity and problem-solving, and that mindset still shapes how I design today.
Since then, I’ve spent the last 12 years mostly in marketing and event environments, which are fast-paced and pretty hands-on. It really taught me how to think strategically, move quickly, and create work that’s both thoughtful and practical.
What led you to Smart City Networks, and what stood out to you about the role or the company?
K: When I came across Smart City, it kind of clicked. My background spans both design and marketing, so the role felt like a natural fit from the start. What really drew me in was reconnecting with the convention and event world, especially the work that supports everything and helps keep projects organized and on track.
I’ve always enjoyed being the person who makes communication clearer for customers and teams through design, so supporting that kind of fast-paced, service-focused environment just felt like a really good match all around.
What does a typical day look like for you?
K: My day usually starts with checking emails and reviewing new project requests, then connecting with different teams to see how I can support their design needs.
From there, it’s a mix of projects. I might be updating internal materials, editing photos, laying out the Pinnacle, or creating posters and marketing assets. It really changes day to day, which keeps things interesting.
I enjoy collaborating across departments and helping turn ideas into clear, polished designs that make communication easier for everyone.
What’s a project you’ve worked on since joining Smart City that you’re especially proud of, and why?
K: Two projects really stand out to me so far: the Pinnacle and our new booth we debuted at EXPO EXPO! back in December.
The Pinnacle is special to me because layout work has always been my favorite. Designing a multi-page magazine and shaping how all the content flows together is really fun and satisfying. It’s a chance to focus on storytelling and detail.
The booth was exciting for a different reason. It’s one of the largest booth projects I’ve worked on, and seeing it come to life on the show floor and represent Smart City so boldly felt really rewarding. It’s great to see something you designed make that kind of real-world impact.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your role so far?
K: The Marketing team. Starting somewhere new can always feel a little intimidating, but everyone’s been really welcoming and easy to work with. There’s a lot of collaboration and trust, and people genuinely want to help each other out.
It makes a big difference when you’re working with a team that communicates well and supports each other. It just makes the day-to-day work feel less stressful and a lot more enjoyable.
As someone new to the company, what’s been one challenge you’ve encountered that helped you grow or learn quickly?
K: One thing that surprised me a little was jumping back into building forms. It had been a while since I’d done that kind of work, so it was a fun challenge getting back up to speed.
What I didn’t expect was how much more powerful they are now with all the automation and built-in settings. It ended up being a great learning moment and a chance to make things more efficient and user-friendly for everyone.
How would you describe the team culture at Smart City Networks?
K: Honestly, it’s been really welcoming. It’s very collaborative and easy to work across departments, and people are always willing to jump in and help, which makes a big difference.
I also love what the SWEET committee does. They create fun ways for everyone to connect, so you get to know coworkers outside of just work requests. It makes the whole place feel a lot more personal.
What’s something people might not realize goes into the design work you do behind the scenes?
K: Design is a lot more strategic than people think. It’s not just making something look pretty. There’s a lot of thought behind every decision.
Most of my time is spent thinking through flow and clarity. How does someone move through this? What’s most important? How do we take a lot of information and make it feel simple and easy to understand, rather than overwhelming?
There’s a lot of quiet problem-solving happening behind the scenes before anyone ever sees the final piece.
Have you picked up any new skills or insights since joining Smart City that you didn’t expect to?
K: Yeah, for sure. I didn’t realize how much I’d be working across so many different teams. It’s a really collaborative environment, and it’s pushed me to communicate clearly and think through problems from different perspectives. It’s also helped me see how design can support day-to-day operations and workflows, not just marketing materials. Finding ways to simplify tasks and save people time has been a really nice takeaway.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in graphic design?
K: Graphic design is actually a pretty wide umbrella. It touches social media, video, photography, branding, all kinds of things.
I’d recommend learning a little bit of everything. You don’t have to master it all, but understanding how different pieces work together makes you a better designer. For example, because I’ve practiced photography, I can choose stronger images and edit them more confidently when I’m working on layouts.
Being well-rounded just makes you more flexible and better at solving problems when new requests come up.
And lastly, what’s something fun that people might not know about you?
K: I went to a Renaissance Faire once and somehow it turned into a full-blown hobby. Now it’s where I pick up all sorts of creative skills like archery, sewing, and scroll painting.
It’s a great excuse to be creative, camp with friends, and unplug for a bit. Definitely my favorite hobby outside of design.
We want to thank Katie Short for taking the time to reflect on his journey with our company! To read more Smart City Spotlights, check out our blog!
