Did you know that an estimated 61% of graphic designers in the U.S. are women?
And according to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 60% of graduate graphic design degrees are earned by women. Considering how hard women have historically worked to break into the arts and design industry, these are inspiring statistics!
It’s less inspiring to know that, due to the impact of past barriers and the challenges women continue to face, they only hold less than 20% of leadership roles in the graphic design industry.
The arts are often seen as one of the most progressive industries, with design playing a pivotal role in driving change. As I shared with Transform Magazine, type is a powerful communicator of change, and as designers, we carry that power, not just through type, but through all components of design — colors, symbols, composition, and more.
From protest signs to posters and even product branding, design stands at the forefront of social movements, amplifying calls for progress.
Designers have long been catalysts for change, instigating immense shifts through our work. Yet, despite this forward momentum, the graphic design industry still has more ground to cover in terms of representation and equality in pay and seniority.
With that in mind, we’re excited to take this time to celebrate how far we’ve come and shine the light on some incredible women in the Kittl creator community producing powerful, beautiful, and innovative designs.
We’re also thrilled to highlight some of our very own Kittl designers and creative leaders, who are leaving a lasting impact on Kittl with their creativity, innovation, and leadership.
Looking back: A brief history of women in the arts and design
Women in design have long faced barriers — from restricted access to formal education and professional opportunities to working under male pseudonyms or having their work overshadowed. Yet, they persisted.
The Industrial Revolution and the Arts and Crafts movement expanded opportunities, but recognition remained elusive. In the 19th century, women were limited to “crafts,” deemed less valuable than the “fine arts” reserved for men.
Post-World War II, the feminist movement brought visibility to women in design, yet challenges like lower pay and underrepresentation in leadership still persisted. Trailblazers like Cipe Pineles shattered ceilings as the first female art director at Vogue and Seventeen, while April Greiman pioneered digital design in the 1980s.
While institutional change in design began taking shape in the 1950s and 60s, it was the feminist movements of the 1970s that sped up progress, challenging industry inequalities with more power.
Women gained leadership roles, and icons like Paula Scher, a partner at Pentagram, redefined branding and environmental design. Susan Kare revolutionized user-friendly digital interfaces with her work on the original Apple Macintosh icons.
As mentioned earlier, women today make up the majority of graphic design graduates and professionals, yet hold less than 20% of leadership roles. Progress has been made, but there’s still work to do. By celebrating the achievements of past and present women in design, we continue pushing the industry forward.
Without further ado, here are the stories of the women shaping the future of design — along with some of the work they’re most proud of in their careers and links to their portfolios and social accounts. Follow these creators online and stay updated on their future creations.
Kittl creators to watch
Designer: Julieta Hernández Sabatini
Follow Julieta’s work: Behance | Kittl
About the designer: I’m a graphic designer from Argentina, and design is more than just my profession — it’s my passion and the way I express myself. I started working as a Kittl creator in February 2024, and this journey has been nothing short of amazing. It has been a year full of growth, creativity, and exciting opportunities.
At the same time, it has also been a challenge. Since my first language is Spanish, I’ve always created content and designs in my native tongue. Stepping into an international space has pushed me to expand my skills, think in new ways, and embrace new creative possibilities. It’s an experience that is opening so many doors for me, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.
Beyond my work with Kittl, I have collaborated with marketing agencies and built strong relationships with regular clients. My goal is to take design to the next level by blending my cultural identity with emerging design trends. I believe that design has the power to connect people, tell stories, and shape the way we see the world. For me, it’s not just about creating something visually appealing — it’s about creating something meaningful.
Check out Julieta’s work:
Designer: Flávia Jackeline
Follow Flávia’s work: Behance | Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Kittl
About the designer: Flávia Jackeline is a visual identity designer passionate about creating brands with purpose and personality. With a strategic and refined aesthetic approach, she develops projects that combine sophistication, minimalism, and authenticity. She loves the color black, plants, cats, and creative challenges.
Currently, she is a Kittl Creator, designing exclusive templates. Her work reflects her human, hardworking, and creative essence, always striving for impact and genuine connection in every project.
Check out Flvias work:
Designer: Daiana Maydana
Follow Daiana’s work: Behance | Kittl
About the designer: As a graphic designer, my journey is fueled by curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for crafting visuals that truly connect. For me, creativity is not just a skill — it’s the freedom to shape ideas into something meaningful.
Check out Daiana’s work:
Designer: Kim René’
Follow Kim’s work: Behance | Instagram | Kittl
About the designer: I started designing for a small newspaper company in my early 20s, and it was a job that kind of found me. From there, I dove deep into graphic design and hand lettering, learning as much as I could along the way. My creative journey is ongoing, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning and creating.
Check out Kim’s work:
Designer: Zarmeen
Follow Zarmeen’s work: Kittl | LinkedIn
About the designer: I’m a graphic designer running my own print-on-demand business while also helping clients build their stores on Etsy, Amazon Merch, and Personal brands. My journey started with a passion for creativity, which turned into a business that allows me to help others succeed. As a female creator, I believe in uplifting and celebrating women in the creative space.
Check out Zarmeen’s work:
Designer: Camila Gomes
Follow Camila’s work: Behance | Instagram | Kittl
About the designer: I am a Brazilian designer with over 4 years of experience, passionate about art and design. I love creating work that expresses creativity and essence, bringing authenticity to every detail. I believe design is a powerful way to connect ideas and tell stories in a visual and impactful way. I feel that my love for design has always been a part of me, and each creation is an opportunity to transform inspiration into something unique.
Check out Camila’s work:
Designer: Luiza Bola
Follow Luiza’s work: Behance | Instagram | LinkedIn | Kittl
About the designer: Luiza Bola is a designer with over nine years of experience, driven by a passion for translating stories into meaningful design. Her journey began with a deep curiosity for aesthetics and storytelling, evolving into a refined approach that blends minimalism, strategy, and authenticity. Today, she helps brands find their true essence, crafting visuals that are both timeless and deeply artistic.
Check out Luiza’s work:
Designers at Kittl
Designer: Yza, Designer at Kittl
Follow Yza’s work: Website | Instagram | Kittl
About the designer: I started out in corporate and advertising for almost eight years, but I took a leap of faith into design because it just felt right. Its where my creativity flows best, and I’ve never looked back. Fun fact: My birthday happens to be on March 8 — International Women’s Day!
Check out Yza’s work:
Designer: Kate Trofimova, Creative Lead at Kittl
Follow Kates work: Website
About the designer: Proud survivor of imposter syndrome. I made a 180 in my career becoming a visual designer after working as an engineer in the nuclear power field – you can tell, making things radiant is my thing. I moved to London on my own, starting my life from scratch at the age of 27. For 7 years I worked as a brand designer in big tech, but deep inside was craving a creative challenge. Joining Kittl to build a brand for a product made for designers – was exactly that!
Check out Kate’s work:
Check out the video below that Kate created for Kittl:
Designer: Anna Dittmer, Creative Director at Kittl
Follow Anna’s work: Website | Instagram | YouTube | Kittl
About the designer: I worked in advertising for 10 years before joining Kittl, where I work as Creative Director. I’m also a multi-passionate lettering artist who loves vibrant colors on dark backgrounds and grainy textures. My style is all about depth, details and telling stories — mostly as tributes to retro gaming.
Check out Anna’s work:
Designer: Duda Monteiro, Social Media Marketing Manager at Kittl
Follow Duda’s work: Website | Instagram | YouTube | Kittl
About the designer: Creativity has always been a part of me. As a kid, I loved theatre, film, and music, worlds that sparked my imagination, but didn’t pursue them professionally. Instead, I found my artistic voice in design, a space where I could merge my love for different art forms while shaping how people perceive the world.
I come from a place with a rich and vibrant visual culture. In northern Brazil, the sun blazes year-round, colors burst with intensity, and life moves in a beautifully chaotic rhythm. This energy seeps into my design style: bold, dynamic, and unapologetically expressive.
Check out Duda’s work:
Designer: Ella Yuna Jeong, Senior Product Designer at Kittl
Follow Ella’s work: Kittl
About the designer: Growing up between very different cultures and working across diverse industries has deepened my appreciation for inclusivity and the role design plays in everyday life — not just in how things look, but in how people create, learn, connect, and solve problems, which I find fascinating. That’s why it feels great being part of a mission that makes creativity more accessible and inclusive — even to those without a design background. I try to bring that same mindset into my work, staying open and learning from different perspectives along the way.
Check out Ella’s work:
Event & design mentorship information
Looking to advance your career as a women in design?
If you’re looking for mentorship outside of the classroom or design events to help support your career growth, check out Ladies, Wine & Design, a global non-profit initiative with chapters in over 285 cities worldwide.
Find an event near you and network with some like-minded trailblazers. You can also find a virtual mentor or apply to become a mentor.
Upcoming event
Upcoming event
If you’re interested in growth opportunities, join the free, virtual Women in UX Conference on May 30th. You can find more events like this on Eventbrite.
As Content Marketing Manager at Kittl, Marie blends her expertise in content creation and design to deliver blogs and guides that inform, inspire, and support fellow creators. With 4+ years of in-house and freelance experience in graphic design, branding, SEO, and marketing, she’s helped brands build strong identities and connect with their audiences.
