Hello! I’m Kathleen Bader, owner of Cracked Earth Creative, LLC.  With over ten years of experience in graphic design, fifteen years working with nonprofits, and a lifetime pursuing creative work of all kinds, I look forward to helping you bring your vision to life.

Throughout the years and in all my changes in careers, one thing remains the same: I love solving problems creatively. After pursuing a variety of creative fields (even going so far as getting a doctorate in music composition), I’ve found my career footing over the past decade in graphic design. I love how collaborative and enriching design work tends to be. Nothing beats working with talented writers, developers, map-makers, artists, program leads, marketers, fundraisers, and photographers to create a product that shares an important message and makes a tangible difference. And I am so very fortunate to have worked with incredible people supporting equally incredible causes over the years.

Though originally from the east coast, I’ve been drawn to the deserts of the Southwest for as long as I can remember, and it’s here where I found my forever home in Tucson. A vibrant community—brimming with thoughtful, creative people and forever-gesturing saguaros—it was clear right away that this is where I wanted to be. I’ve now been living here for over 12 years with my wonderful husband, Gareth, and (lovably) anxious dog, Gunther. In 2021, I launched Cracked Earth Creative, LLC, named for my love of the west and the creativity these landscapes inspire. It’s also a nod to Igor Stravinsky (a favorite of mine), who described the onset of spring as “like the whole earth cracking.”