Editor & Publisher

Ashley Kendrick Kennedy

Art Director, Lancaster County Magazine, Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc.

How long have you been in creative/visual journalism, and how did you get your start?

My creative career began with my BFA from Tyler School of Art at Temple University, where I majored in graphic design. However, my creative endeavors started as soon as I could hold a pencil.

I’ve been a student of art of all kinds, filling countless journals and sketchbooks for as long as I can remember.

After receiving my BFA in 2012, I bounced around a bit and did freelance design work, including bakery and illustration gigs.

I began working for EPC (Engle Printing and Publishing) just after moving (with my then boyfriend, now husband) from my hometown of Philadelphia to Lancaster, Pa., in 2014. I started designing advertisements for our weekly community papers and other specialty publications. Then I worked my way up to art direction and design for LCM (Lancaster County Magazine).

I’ve been LCM’S art director/lead graphic designer for four lovely years.

What gets (and keeps) your creative juices flowing?

Music, art, nature and my incredible team! My day almost always begins with music. I’m a bit of a novice audiophile and spend a lot of my free time curating playlists to suit different moods and seasons. Having a soundtrack keeps me moving throughout the day.

I also try to stay immersed in the goings-on of the art community beyond just graphic design and print.

Spending a little time outdoors goes a long way to shake off the cobwebs and allows me to look at things with fresh eyes when I get back to the desk, as well.

And most importantly, it’s such a privilege to work with my inspiring team. From fresh and interesting editorial ideas to the dynamic and stunning moments captured by our photographers, my team never ceases to keep me creatively energized.

What advice do you have for young professionals starting out in the creative field?

Stay curious, be bold and persist. I picked up the term “life-long learner” from my husband, Sean, an educator to the core. Curiosity is what keeps us learning. It’s easy to fall into complacency in any industry, but by staying curious, we can keep pushing boundaries and explore new ways of communicating visually as creatives.

It’s all a balancing act. Being lifelong learners, tirelessly pushing the envelope, studying the rules of design so we can be sure to break them properly, all while staying flexible and amenable to critique, all requires boldness and persistence.

What do you see as the most important trend or facet of visual journalism/media creative today?

The most important facet of visual journalism/creative media to me is communication and connection through storytelling.

As a designer and art director, I feel like I’m the middleman between the writers, designers, photographers and the reader.

It’s my responsibility to do my best to communicate each story in a visually impactful way that helps to foster meaningful connections between the content and the individual reader or viewer. It’s those sparks of connection that make it all worthwhile.

You can view Ashley Kendrick Kennedy’s work online:

• Lancaster County Magazine

2022 CREATIVE VISIONARIES

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2022-10-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-10-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://editorandpublisher.pressreader.com/article/282299619050328

Editor and Publisher