About Ken.
Who is this guy?
Austin-based designer, maker, problem solver, and occasional fixer of things that probably didn’t need to become a project.
I am Ken Dille, aka The Dillestrator.
At A Glance
Austin, Texas
Longtime Austinite + UT alum
Designer + maker
Brand, web, print, presentations, environments
20+ years independent
Often embedding with teams for the long haul
Built things too
Woodworking, cabinetry, house projects, field work
Mountain biking
South Austin trails + Tuesday night rides
Good day
A few focused hours, a couple meetings, some research, maybe something physical
Favorite kind of project
The one that starts simple and gets interesting
How I got here
I’ve always liked making things. As a kid it was drawing, models, bicycles and whatever else I could take apart or build. Design eventually became the professional version of that impulse.
I started out in Boston working at small agencies and design firms, then moved back to Austin and kept going—sometimes inside larger companies, sometimes as an independent designer, often embedded with teams for years at a time.
The work has changed a lot along the way: identity, websites, presentations, campaigns, technical illustration, environmental graphics, events, photography, production, even cabinetry and millwork. The common thread is pretty simple: understand the problem, learn what matters, and make something useful.
How I work
I like to get the whole picture before I start designing. Audience, goals, content, constraints, budget, deadlines, what already exists, who needs to approve it, and what happens after the thing is finished.
Then I go make things.
I usually work in rounds—explore a few directions, come back with something concrete, talk it through, adjust, repeat. Clients don’t need to arrive with all the answers. That’s part of what I’m there for.
Sometimes the original assignment turns out to be connected to something else. Sometimes the best answer is a system or template the client can use themselves. Sometimes it means bringing in someone with a skill I don’t have.
Basically, I like doing the work.
Outside of work
Not much changes, really.
I’m usually working on the house, building something in the shop, fixing something I probably could have paid someone else to fix, or heading out on a mountain bike.
I once replaced the head gasket on my daughter’s Prius mostly because it needed doing—and partly because I wanted to know if I could.
Mountain biking is the opposite kind of problem solving. It takes enough concentration that everything else shuts up for a while. I ride the South Austin trails a lot and help lead a Tuesday night group ride.
Making things, fixing things, figuring things out. Same brain, different projects.
Whether it’s one thing that needs fixing, a bigger project to figure out together, or ongoing creative support, there’s more than one way to work together.
A la carte
Sort it out.
Got a specific design problem or something that needs making? Bring me in, we’ll sort it out, and get it across the finish line.
Project based
Make it happen.
Got a larger project with a lot of moving parts? I can work with you from early thinking through production, and final delivery.
Retained
Keep it moving.
Need steady creative support over time? I can plug in, learn how your team works, and help keep the work moving forward.
Not sure where your project fits? That's okay.
Got a project, a problem, or just a question? Send it my way.
What kinds of projects do you take on?
Branding, websites, campaigns, presentations, publications, events, information design and plenty of things that don’t fit neatly into a category.
What if I’m not exactly sure what I need?
That’s pretty common. We can start with the problem, the audience and what you’re trying to accomplish, then figure out the right thing to make.
Can you work with our existing brand?
Absolutely. Not every project needs a rebrand. I’m just as comfortable working inside an established system as I am helping build one from scratch.
Can you work with our internal team?
Yes. A lot of my work has been done alongside marketing teams, writers, developers, subject-matter experts and other designers.
Do you take ongoing or contract work?
Yes. That can mean a recurring stream of projects, embedded support for a team, or simply being someone you can call when things get busy.
Do you build the websites you design?
For the right projects, yes. I currently build in Framer and Squarespace, and can also collaborate with developers when a site needs something more custom.
How much does a project cost?
It depends on the scope. Some projects are straightforward; others need more discovery, content, production or collaboration. Once I understand what you’re trying to do, I can recommend an approach and provide an estimate.
How long does a project take?
That varies too. A focused project might take a couple of weeks, while a larger brand or website can take several months. We’ll establish timing before the work begins.
Do you only work with clients in Austin?
No. I’m based in Austin, but I work with people wherever the project happens to be.
What if my project doesn’t fit one of these categories?
Good. Some of the most interesting ones don’t. Bring me the problem and we’ll figure out what it needs.