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Say Hello blog with Anna Kat Hollis

Say Hello to NMCO’s Web Developer and Designer

NMCO’s Web Developer and Designer, Anna Kat Hollis, joined the NMCO team this summer after graduating from New Mexico State University in May. She had the honor of interning with NMCO in the spring.

Q: What made you interested in pursuing Web Design and Development as a career?

Anna Katherine Hollis (AKH): I wanted the option and diversity of being able to work on technical and creative projects. I love coding, but I also love designing and illustrating. After multiple conversations with people and learning more about the industry, I decided that combining design and development was the best fit for me.

Q: How does frontend development differ from backend development?

AKH: Backend development usually involves a lot more hardcore programming and can be extremely technical. Frontend development, on the other hand, can be a lot more design-related and uses a variety of programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In short, backend development focuses on making sure the project actually functions, whereas frontend development emphasizes the project’s interface and experience of the user.

Q: How do you think social media is changing Web Development?

AKH: One of the most critical ways that social media is changing web development is that designing for mobile has never been more important. More often than not, people are interacting with a website on a mobile device or tablet rather than a desktop computer. This means that when I create a website, each element must be responsive and attractive on every digital device.

Q: What do you love about working at a creative agency such as NMCO?

AKH: I love the variety of projects that NMCO takes on. Whether it is a videography project or a web development project, whether the client is a small business or non-profit organization, NMCO does it! It is exciting to see the integration of all the services that NMCO has to offer to create something incredible for the client. It is a wonderful privilege to collaborate and learn from the amazing creatives here.

Q: Top favorite designers or websites?

AKH:

– Lynn Fisher is one of my all-time favorite developers/illustrators/designers. Every year she gives her personal website (lynnandtonic.com) a refresh and it’s always so exciting to see what new trends have emerged. She also has an amazing ongoing project where she makes detailed illustrations using only CSS.

– Jill Kittock is a designer and illustrator. Her work is humorous, but also thoughtful. I tend to be big-picture oriented, so her extremely detailed designs and drawings are truly awe-inspiring to me.

-Lastly, while the website corndog.io, serves no real purpose, it is a true testament to how fun web design and development can be.

Q: What’s your approach to Web Design and Development at NMCO?

AKH: NMCO has taught me a lot about my approach to web design and development. One key thing I have to remind myself is that there should be no pressure to reinvent the wheel every time I create a website. There is a balance between using tried and true elements and integrating new things that help make a website stand out. 

Q: What’s on your creative bucket list?

AKH: I think it would be really cool to design and build an app that is accessible in the App Store for anyone to install.

Q: If you weren’t doing Web Design and Development, what other types of projects would you work on?

AKH: I really enjoy illustrating in my free time. It would be so fun to illustrate and create graphics for an entire cookbook.

Q: What would you like to teach people about what you do?

AKH: There can be a lot of negative things about the Internet and social media, but it is not completely negative. Having a fun and well-designed website that helps serve and inform others can be a bright spot and bring good to a community.

Q: What are your favorite projects you have worked on at NMCO?

AKH: I really loved designing a website for a client using existing brand elements that had been created by Tina and Dana. There is a lot of joy found in “deconstructing” brand elements and incorporating them creatively into a website so that it can better tell the story of the individual or organization.

Q: What can we expect to see from you?

AKH: I’m just beginning in my career and exploring the world of Web Design and Development, but for now I’m excited to be creating new, creative, and dynamic websites!

To learn more about different agencies check out “3 Types of Agencies”.

NMCO Studio member, Kahlo

Kahlo

Door Greeter & Cookie Eater

Kahlo is our gentle, friendly, office pup! He loves his belly rubbed, sniffing absolutely everything, and hasn’t found a treat he wouldn’t eat! Be sure to say hi, he loves the attention!

NMCO Studio member, Annakat

Anna Kat Hollis

Senior Web Developer

Anna Kat is the driving force behind NMCO’s web development endeavors. With a sharp intellect, unwavering efficiency, and a keen eye for goals, she is the go-to expert for crafting everything from sleek landing pages to nationally acclaimed e-commerce sites. Anna Kat not only serves as your trusted web developer guide but also, if you look closely, you’ll notice she’s always impeccably color-coordinated with NMCO’s brand – a true testament to her attention to detail and commitment to the company’s image.

NMCO Studio member, Arron

Aaron Walterscheid

Video Specialist & Cinematographer

Meet Aaron, NMCO’s “Silent Assassin.” Despite his quiet demeanor, Aaron is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to videography, editing, color grading, drone operation, lighting, and crafting unforgettable cinematic experiences. His remarkable talent and expertise shine brightly, leaving an indelible mark on every project he touches.

NMCO Studio member, Dana

Dana Apodaca

Senior Graphic Designer & Art Director

Dana’s journey with NMCO has been nothing short of impressive, starting as a design intern and progressing to become a designer who now plays a pivotal role in assisting with art direction. Her dedication keeps our graphics department on track and ensures our processes are efficient and business-ready. Dana’s knack for creating identity systems has resulted in some of our most recognized work. And, if you’re fortunate enough to listen in, she’s consistently voted the best playlist in the studio.

NMCO Studio Co founder, Lucky

Lucky Gonzalez

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

When you have a wealth of creative content, you need someone like Lucky with 18 years of business experience to guide you on where to put it. He’s our media placement guru, with the expertise and know-how to maximize your impact. Whether it’s digital banner ads or broadcast TV, Lucky can take any budget and transform it into impressions and conversions. He’s dedicated to finding solutions for your unique challenges, making him an invaluable asset to our team.

NMCO Studio member, Tina

Christina Ballew

Founder & Chief Creative Officer

Tina, as a co-founder of NMCO, has been on a relentless mission to redefine creative services in the southwest. Building a creative studio from the ground up was a formidable challenge, but her vision and determination have transformed NMCO into a beacon of professionalism and innovation, known for its people-centric approach and out-of-the-box thinking. While she’s taken on nearly every role in the studio, Tina’s next ambition is nothing short of global. She’s poised to take on the world with her creative endeavors.