Introducing: Nate Killam

Our newest Senior Designer and Capsule Crew member, Nate Killam, opens up about life, love and the pursuit of brands. Well... at least, two of the three.

What brings you to Capsule?

I love brand design and packaging and I think Capsule’s track record speaks for itself in these respects. I’m also a very logical and systematic thinker so I’m excited by the importance Capsule places on research founded design as a method of working. Their process for naming is also really well thought out and I’m eager to dive into that world in full!

Tell us about how you became interested in design!

My grandmother was an art teacher at UW-Green Bay and my mother, while not formally educated as an artist, has always been very creative, and they both encouraged myself and my sister throughout our lives to pursue any creative avenue we found interesting. At a young age I loved to draw and build with Legos, I wanted to design cars but once I found out how much math goes into engineering I knew that was a pipe dream for me. As I grew up I got into photography and videography and found myself making endless videos of all the silly things that I would do with my friends. Nearing the end of high school I took a web design class and loved the intersection of artistic expression and logical thinking that’s required in that endeavor. My college courses and professors are what really piqued my interest in graphic design and I’ve never looked back since!

What experiences do you bring to Capsule? Throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to wear many hats which has led me to feel like a bit of a jack-of-all-trades in the design world. I’ve worked on projects involving branding, packaging, web design, videography, animation, and experiential design to name a few! I really love a challenge that needs to be solved and applying new ways of thinking to solve those problems.

On a scale of Jingle All the Way to Fargo, how Minnesotan is your accent?

I’m definitely on the Jingle All the Way Side of the Minnesotan accent spectrum, discounting the underlying Austrian accent that Arnold Schwarzenegger brought to his role.

We’re not going to judge or anything… but what’s your go to Karaoke song?

“Just a Friend” by the late great Biz Markie is an unbeatable karaoke song. As a rapper, Biz doesn’t sing very well, so you don’t need to stress about your own vocal abilities when this 90’s classic is spinning.

Ramen or Sushi?

Sushi. Forever, and ever, and ever.

What brand is your dream client?

My favorite backpack, of my many backpacks, is my daily use Millican Smith 25L pack. Their brand was really fun and unique for several years and had a lot of quirky character. Then one day it became super bland and generic, the bags were still great, but the website and majority of touchpoints lost their spark. I’d love to work with them, but sadly, literally as I write this I found out that they went out of business last year. So alas it will never be.

What’s your life motto?

Make good choices. And if you don’t, take pictures.

Any hidden talents you’re ready to expose?

It’s not all that well hidden, but it rarely comes up in conversation where I can really showcase my expertise… But I love packing a bag for travel. Being organized and having exactly all the right things in all the right places is terribly exciting for me. It’s really an undervalued skill.

Best SNL cast member of all time. Go.

Bill Hader, no question.

Scariest monster? Don’t say ghost. Mine is ghost.

Zombie’s genuinely scare the crap out of me. Not a fan of the thought of being eaten alive.