She’s an artist and illustrator that supports Karna as a multimedia specialist using arts and design to create impactful work for the CDC. This month, we spotlight Anna Reyes as she gives us more insight into her creative process, why she enjoys what she does here, and what it takes to consistently create engaging, effective kudo-worthy deliverables for our valued clients.
Q: When did you start with Karna? What is your position?
I joined Karna in July 2022 and I am currently a Multimedia Specialist for the Strategy, Policy, and Communications Branch at CDC’s Division of Global HIV & TB.
Q: What’s the day-to-day of your role like?
I use Adobe Creative Suite to create webpage elements and graphics for communications toolkits, which include anything from motion infographics and animated webpage banners to digital posters and social media cards. When I’m not designing, I am collaborating with my peer units and brainstorming ways of using arts and design to create impact in the work that we do.
Q: What would you say is your “Why?” in relation to the work that you do?
I am driven by the idea of using creativity and design to create emotional and, subsequently, social impact. It’s important for me to show how powerful the arts are when it comes to innovating new ways to communicate critical issues and how we, as individuals, can do our part to amplify those messages. I’m very grateful that my current position strengthens that drive and allows me to flex and build my creative muscles.
Q: What has been your favorite project(s) at Karna, and why?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my work with DGHT’s Annual Program Results (APR). Our team used elements of data storytelling to highlight the positive progress and impact from CDC’s HIV and TB programs through PEPFAR. This included designing and implementing an innovative webpage design that featured interactive data reports, audio snippets from clients living with HIV and their success stories, and a communications toolkit including animated social media cards with audio and music.
Q: What have been your biggest accomplishments on our team?
I am especially proud of the results from our Vital Signs report, launched in February of this year. This comprehensive campaign highlighted the positive global impacts of PEPFAR programs and CDC’s contributions and garnered a wealth of outreach and impressions from country offices, partners, and news media around the world.
Q: What have you gained from working at Karna?
Working at Karna has given me a sense of confidence and pride in the work that I do. It’s truly a privilege to be given the opportunity to create such impactful content and a blessing to be able to genuinely say that I enjoy my work inside and out.
Q: What tip would you give to someone who wants to make an impact and is interested in doing the work that you do?
Lead with empathy and authenticity. Using empathy allows you to bridge the gap between your perspective and the perspectives of others, which will enable you to understand the collective needs of those around you and truly effect change. Employing empathy amongst your peers as well as with your project’s targeted audience will help hone communications through messaging, design, and relationships. Being authentic with yourself and with others – celebrating and taking each other’s unique set of values, perspectives, and experiences into account – builds trust and maximizes the potential of each individual in their contributions to a group or project. Prioritize candidness over ego!
Q: Anything you want to add or say to help your colleagues and clients know you better?
Art is, quite literally, my whole life. Outside of my design work, I’m a gallery artist and illustrator. I create drawings in charcoal and colored pencil based on themes of mental health and psychology with the purpose of celebrating authenticity and reducing stigma on conversations around mental health (Website: https://www.annamikhaela.com / Instagram: anna.mikhaela.art). When I’m not drawing, I am spoiling my dogs, hiking, reading, or watching true crime documentaries. I have never met a snack a didn’t like 🙂
