Connector Spotlight: Katie Luke

Q. Tell us a bit about the project(s) you’re working on.

Currently I’m working on re-designing and elevating our website design to align with Ontario’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Beginning January 1, 2021: all public websites and web content posted after January 1, 2012 must meet these standards. As a company whose processes focus heavily on the user experience in both design and developing, it’s really important that the cornerstone of our presence on the internet shows these values. We want all users to be able to use and understand our website seamlessly. It’s also a great excuse for a revamp!

Q. What’s the most interesting challenge about the project?

The most interesting challenge about this project is bridging the gap between designers and developers. As I work on the project, it’s becoming clear that many web design standards are arbitrary and have not evolved alongside developers’ practices. After designing a few of our pages, I decided that a highly collaborative process was going to be much more beneficial to both sides. 

For example: It is common practice for all aspects of a web page to be divisible by the same number, to ensure consistency and visual balance. When I began designing the pages, I realized that could be a huge roadblock for the developers and pose many problems especially when designing a responsive website. To combat this, I asked a list of questions that outlined if I could do anything on my end that would make the hand-off seamless. It’s an ongoing challenge but one that has taught me a lot about the intricacies of website development.

Q. Where did you work prior to Connected?

Before starting at Connected, I worked at the IN Store at George Brown College. My main job was to work on special projects from different departments within GBC, this included working on branded collateral for the Institute Without Boundaries and designing a logo for the McLuhan Foundation. My biggest project was the “GBC Collection”. The brief was to research and develop branded products that would elevate the George Brown brand in a way that would entice students of varying ages from all around the world to get excited about starting their education with George Brown College and to ultimately purchase the IN Store products.

Q. Do you have a mantra you live by?

Treat others the way you wish to be treated.

Q. What do you love to do outside of work?

One of my biggest passions outside of work is all things food. Whether that means indulging in new local restaurants (via delivery) or finding recipes and taking all day to prep and cook a feast. Throughout lockdown I’ve been spending each Friday evening scouring the internet to find a new recipe to experiment with the next day/evening.

Q. If you were stuck on a deserted island, what album, movie, and book would you take with you?

Album: Rumours by Fleetwood Mac

Movie: Interstellar by Christopher Nolan

Book: The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue

Q. Describe yourself in three words.

Goofy. Passionate. Reliable.

Q. And finally, what’s your favourite product and why?

Procreate on iPad. The possibilities are endless when it comes to Procreate. This app provided me with an easy-to-use platform that brought out the best in my illustration skills. The usability of the app sold it for me, I didn’t have to watch hours of YouTube tutorials to figure out how to begin because it has similarities to commonly used apps making it an intuitive experience. 

Before diving into this app, I would use pen and paper and scan into illustrator and attempt to do my edits there. Now with the never-ending options of colours and brushes in Procreate, I can create something that looks like a hand-drawn illustration or something geometric.