This week, we had the chance to chat with a true creative - our designer Katrín Hauksdóttir - learning about her role, what inspires her, her sushi chef (!) background, and more. Let’s dive in!

You have such a cool last name - Hauksdóttir. Is that Icelandic?

Thanks! Yes, I’m Icelandic and my last name means Hauks–daughter. In Iceland, you’re named after your father (or mother in some instances) so this means my dad is named Haukur which translates to Hawk. 🦅

Tell us a bit about your role?

I work in the Brand & Creative team as a designer and my main focus is illustration and animation. Our team works closely with the marketing teams and supports the entire company with designs when needed.

How do you usually go about when starting off on a new design or project? What inspires you?I usually ask a lot of questions about the project, or de-brief if you will. What is the main message of this project, who is going to see this etc. When I have a better idea of what I need to do – I tend to look at inspiration and play fun music to get into a creative mood. Sometimes I dance! When I have an idea or a few, I share it with my team to get input and feedback early on and to avoid what we call tunnel-vision.

Tell us something that very few people know about you?

I’m actually half-Icelandic and a mysterious mix of Scottish and Irish on the other half. My mom was adopted in Iceland and only found her birth-mother in her late 30s. My grandma had moved to Iceland and was working at the American army base there in the 1960’s. We've made contact with that part of the family and even visited Scotland this summer to see my grandma’s places of upbringing! Love you Meemaw!

We heard somewhere that you’ve been a sushi chef. Is that true?

Yes! I was working in a bar that was connected to a sushi restaurant in Reykjavík. It was a very charming hole in the wall type of place and I fell in love with the craft and all the interesting people working there. I asked for a trial and got a job immediately after! I spent a few years working there, as well as a few other restaurants before deciding to follow my creative passion. I’m a bit rusty at making sushi now but the art and craft of it is still something I really love. The patience and delicacy of it all is very calming.

Since you’re a chef, our readers are probably curious to know the following: If you’d host a dinner with friends - what would be on the three-course menu?

Wow - great question! Funnily enough I recently had my in-laws for a three-course dinner. I love Italian food and most people I know do too, so it’s an easy way to impress anyone! We had deep fried zuccinis served with ricotta cheese for a starter, meatballs in tomato sauce and pasta for dinner, and my favourite – tiramisu for dessert! You can prep a lot beforehand, and who doesn’t like pasta?

Takk fyrir mig! 👋