Influential Woman · Graphic Design and Marketing
Kristy Gordon
Senior Graphic Designer | Marketing Specialist, Eye for Design
Tucson, AZ 85747
Her Story
About Kristy
Kristy Gordon is a marketing and graphic design professional with more than three decades of experience in visual communications, branding, advertising, and creative marketing. She currently works as a Senior Graphic Designer and Marketing Specialist with Tucson Business Networking while also operating as a freelance graphic designer and pursuing opportunities in life insurance. Her expertise spans print and digital design, corporate branding, social media marketing, video and motion graphics, website content, editorial design, and AI-assisted creative production. Kristy began her career in 1991 after studying graphic design at ArtCenter College of Design in Tucson, earning an Associate's Degree in 1992. She spent approximately 25 years working across print shops, commercial printing environments, and pre-press operations before transitioning into broader marketing roles in 2014. She subsequently spent nearly a decade with NOVA Home Loans before moving into a marketing role with HSL Asset Management, where she combined graphic design with campaign development, social media, event support, recruitment marketing, vendor coordination, and digital content production. She continues to expand her expertise by learning emerging technologies and creative tools, including Adobe Firefly, Adobe Express, and AI-assisted design platforms. Kristy is also exploring a new professional direction in life insurance, motivated by her desire to help individuals and families prepare for their financial futures and protect themselves against unexpected circumstances. She remains active with Tucson Business Networking and has supported community events through the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Grounded in honesty, integrity, accountability, creativity, and a strong work ethic, Kristy believes that a fulfilling career should combine meaningful work with continuous learning. She encourages others to embrace change, remain curious, and pursue work that provides both professional growth and personal fulfillment.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence, creativity, and my commitment to staying current in an industry that is constantly changing. I continually research design and marketing trends, learn new tools, and adapt my skills so that I can continue delivering work that is relevant and effective. I also genuinely enjoy what I do, and that passion has kept me engaged throughout more than three decades in graphic design and marketing. My willingness to keep learning, stay busy, and take on new challenges has helped me remain active and adaptable throughout my career.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to choose work that genuinely makes them passionate and gives them a reason to stay motivated every day. While salary and financial stability are important considerations when choosing a career, it is equally important to find work that brings you happiness, fulfillment, and a sense that you are helping others. A career can last for decades, so it should be something you enjoy and can continue building upon over time. Ultimately, I believe success is more meaningful when you can finish your day knowing that your work brought you purpose and satisfaction.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in graphic design and marketing is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. AI can generate creative concepts quickly, but I believe human designers remain essential for refining concepts, ensuring technical accuracy, preparing files correctly for production, and applying professional judgment. I also see the need to continually expand beyond traditional graphic design into marketing, social media, websites, video, photography, and other digital skills. Another challenge is staying current with rapidly changing platforms and trends while demonstrating the value of experience in an industry that can sometimes place too much emphasis on social-media visibility.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, integrity, accountability, attention to detail, hard work, and being a dependable person are extremely important to me. I believe in checking and rechecking my work to make sure everything is accurate, visually appropriate, and completed to a high standard. I also value being a multitasker and a go-getter who takes responsibility rather than simply seeking recognition for the work. My work ethic was strongly influenced by my father, whose decades of dedication and commitment to providing for our family showed me the importance of perseverance, responsibility, and showing up when people depend on you.
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