By Katrina Romulo
I didn’t come up through a traditional design path. During my first week of college, I was handed a flyer for a student-led class called “Intro to Illustrator and Photoshop.” I had never tried graphic design before, but I quickly fell in love with it.
I started making posters, cards and graphics every day for fun, largely teaching myself through YouTube and personal projects. If you’d told me then that a few years later I’d be designing a collection with Logitech, I wouldn’t have believed you. I grew up using this brand, and getting to work with them in such a powerful way means a lot to me.
I’ve designed products and packaging before, but I’ve always dreamed of designing something people can use in their day-to-day work life. I love the idea of making productivity feel playful.
Now that dream is coming true: Logitech and I teamed up to design Coffee Cat and Study Buddy, a pair of Pebble 2 Mice!
I get my best inspiration from everyday life. As I get older, I’m starting to understand that life is less about the big milestones and more about the small, everyday moments.
We ended up with two designs that reflect some of my favorite simple joys in life:
- Coffee Cat: This mouse is inspired by my cat Kumu and our morning ritual of having breakfast together while I journal. Rooted in warmth and routine, it serves as a reminder that you are in charge of your day.
- Study Buddy: This mouse is an ode to my love of reading and the dog I’ve always wanted. I grew up around a lot of friends’ and family’s dogs, and I hope to have my own one day!
A mouse isn’t something you glance at once. I love that I’ve created something that can be used every day for hours on end, helping people with creative projects and day-to-day workflows. If I can design a tool that makes even a sliver of that time feel a little more playful, I’ve done my job.
What I’ve learned from years of freelancing and building an online platform (and how it prepared me for this)
Working for myself and building an audience in tandem has taught me so many valuable lessons. Here are three things I’ve learned about freelancing and designing for a brand like Logitech:
- Start with something personal. I tend to create from a place of love, drawing on the people and things that bring me a lot of joy. If you don’t know where to start, tap into your strongest emotions and thoughts. You bring a perspective to your work that no one else can.
- Be very open to collaboration and new ideas. This project started with a brief of “grounded optimism” and autumnal colors, but it evolved through many rounds of revisions. When you’re collaborating, it’s not just your baby! You have to be willing to try out several directions, and that openness can go a long way.
- Don’t underestimate the importance of a passion project. Logitech reached out to me because I’d built an online presence around making things for fun. Show up as yourself, be consistent and create what you actually want to make. Sometimes it will attract your dream client.
Thank you to the Logitech team for trusting me with this, and to everyone who’s followed me through every project. I can’t wait to use my mice to create more!
The Coffee Cat and Study Buddy Pebble Mouse 2 Collection are available now in select markets at Logitech.com, while stocks last.
About the author: Katrina Romulo, aka edgykatrina, is a brand and graphic designer known for bold, colorful work. You can find her on social media at @edgykatrina or view her portfolio at katrinaromulo.com. Katrina is exclusively managed by Katie Napell and Arjun Das of Odd Projects.
