Writer & Graphic Artist
San Francisco Bay Area
- Current
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- co-founder at Uplift Press
- Publisher at Little Pig Productions
- Librettist, Lyricist at Shoes, a Mirror, and a Big, Pink Rose
- Owner at Kristen Caven Design
- Past
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- Interim Director at Child and Youth-Friendly Initiative
- Graphic Designer at Copy Central
- Receptionist at Bookpeople
- Vice President at LifeSkills Press
- Education
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- Mills College
- Rocky Mountain School of Art & Design
- St. John's College
- Recommended
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5 people have recommended Kristen - Connections
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connections
- Industry
- Writing and Editing
Kristen Caven’s Summary
I like to think of myself as a "Liberal Artist:" Liberal as in free, as in bountiful (any medium is fair game), and as in relating to the cultivation of the humanities. Art as in creativity, craft, aesthetic and product.
In my "day job" as sole proprietor of KBC Design, I have always called myself a graphic designer, but offer my clients a full gamut of creative consulting services in creating effective marketing tools. I've worked in all aspects of publishing, and my clients range from artists and musicans to schools and teacher's unions.
In my concurrent career as a writer and cartoonist I have written articles and stories, novels and poems, published several comic books, and am working on a musical. Ideas come to me forcefully and full-fledged. I write several blogs and publish Wandering Pie, a bi-monthly cobbler (COlumnBLognewslettER.)
I also enjoy volunteering for public schools and building community through effective communication and fun events.
Kristen Caven’s Specialties:
branding and identity, women's culture, humor, 20th century history, parenting, small business, inspirational writing, health and wellness, avoiding corporate-sounding words...
Kristen Caven’s Experience
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co-founder
Uplift Press
(Publishing industry)
January 2009 — Present (11 months)
Planned and implemented identity, marketing materials, website, and product redesign. Consulted with the publisher on every step of business establishment and expansion, providing encouragement, guidance and support. Designed associates marketing program.
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Publisher
Little Pig Productions
(Publishing industry)
September 2008 — Present (1 year 3 months)
In 1990s I published "underground" comic books, t-shirts, posters and greeting cards, such as:
- Inside the Mills Revolution: a cartoon history of the 1990 student strike
- Men of Mills College t-shirt
- The Real World Adventures of Sammy Sperm Paper Doll
- Emily Egg's Guide to Fashion Paper Doll
- Emilly Egg's AngelGoddessFairyPriestess Coloring Calendar
In 2008 I re-opened this business as a Zazzle store, where I sell Christmas cards, Tshirts, etc. featuring my own cartoons as well as those of my creative family members. -
Librettist, Lyricist
Shoes, a Mirror, and a Big, Pink Rose
(Entertainment industry)
May 2006 — Present (3 years 7 months)
A musical trilogy under development about three young women with princess-like problems. See more at www.thesoulsofherfeet.com.
Book & Lyrics by Kristen Caven
Music by Michael O'Dell -
Owner
Kristen Caven Design
(Graphic Design industry)
September 1997 — Present (12 years 3 months)
Full-service marketing for small businesses
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Interim Director
Child and Youth-Friendly Initiative
(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
February 2005 — September 2007 (2 years 8 months)
I helped this wonderful non-profit transition to new leadership, re-designing the business structure and performing a worldwide leadership search.
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Graphic Designer
Copy Central
(Printing industry)
April 1992 — December 1997 (5 years 9 months)
Copy Central became Quikprint... which became Xyan... do any of these companies still exist?
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Receptionist
Bookpeople
(Publishing industry)
September 1996 — August 1997 (1 year )
An employee-owned book distributor that did not survive Amazon.com.
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Vice President
LifeSkills Press
(Publishing industry)
September 1990 — December 1996 (6 years 4 months)
Published The Winning Family by Dr. Louise Hart and other materials.
Kristen Caven’s Education
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Mills College
B.A. , Myth and the Western Mind , 1987 — 1988
- Activities and Societies:
- "Weekly" cartoonist
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Rocky Mountain School of Art & Design
Art 1985 — 1986
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St. John's College
Liberal Arts 1982 — 1984
- Activities and Societies:
- Fencing, Waltzing, Combat Polka, and Swing Dance
Additional Information
Kristen Caven’s Interests:
horses, ballroom dance (combat polka), fiestaware, vintage cookbooks, movies, novels, human design, theta healing, yoga, fire arts
Kristen Caven’s Groups:
California Writer's Club
Rudolf's Diner
The DecoBelles
Friends of Sequoia School
MacArthur Professionals
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MacArthur Professional Alliance
Kristen Caven’s Honors:
* Ardella Mills Essay Prize 1988
* Bay Guardian Cartoon Contest 1991
* Permanent installation in Women's Museum in Dallas, TX 1992
* Miss Art Deco 1997
* Quarterfinalist in Writer's Network Screenplay/Novel awards 2006
* Berkeley Writer's Club poetry contest 2007
Kristen Caven’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
