Hi, I'm Kathy.

I'm a Taiwanese-American art director and designer from Kansas City, Missouri.

I also art direct for Games at The New York Times, shaping creative strategy and expression across editorial and product spaces.

Previously, I managed visual design systems and experiences at Rest of World and art directed at The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and Globe Magazine. I produced and designed The Mueller Report Illustrated, a graphic nonfiction book and six-part digital presentation. In 2017, I helped launch the visual style of a Snapchat Discover channel.

 
 

Contact —

katherine.lee@nytimes.com (for illustration submissions)
katherineblee@me.com

Involvement —

Inkygoodness Collective
Mentor and judge / 2024

Society for News Design
Jury, digital / 2024

Society of Illustrators
Jury, uncommissioned / 2023
Jury, student competition / 2017

Society of Publication Designers
Illustration review / 2022, 2021

Sheridan College of Illustration
Jury, graduate show / 2021


Speaking
Engagements —

School of Visual Arts / 2024, 2023
Northeastern University / 2024, 2019
Fashion Institute of Technology / 2023, 2017
University of Miami / 2020, 2017
College Media Association / 2020, 2014
Associate Collegiate Press / 2019, 2014

Selected Recognition —

Society for News Design
World's Best Designer Finalist / 2023
Gold medal / Portfolio / 2023
Best in Show (small organization) / 2023
Best in Show (large organization) / 2020
Gold medal / Print and Digital / 2020
Silver medal / Miscellaneous (book) / 2020
Bronze medal / Mueller Report coverage / 2020
AOE / Portfolio / 2017

American Society of Magazine Editors
Best of Design Finalist / 2023

Malofiej International Awards
Gold medal / Innovative Format / 2020

New York Times Bestseller
Graphic Books and Manga / 2019

The Indie Bestseller List
Paperback Nonfiction / 2019

Scripps Howard Awards
Finalist, Innovation / 2020