I have been using design to creatively solve problems and make things beautiful for most of my life. I’m passionate about it, and it’s what I love to do.
I founded Outbox Online Design Studio in the year 2000 while I was working as a user experience designer for a large software company in Silicon Valley. I wanted an outlet for the kind of design work that fell outside the scope of my day job, so I created one. This allowed me to work directly with fascinating people while using my skill set to help them achieve success with their projects in a meaningful way. As a solo-enterprise it also allowed me to work on all aspects of a project, from start-to-finish which provided the kind of varied work life I really want. What started as a part-time endeavor grew with me through various promotions and employers working in the software design and usability field until I jumped ship and turned it into a full-time gig creating compelling websites, logos and marketing collateral in 2009.
My experiences working independently, and as a team and project manager, give me the experience to handle all aspects of projects, from conception to implementation. I’ve worked with a variety of clients, from authors, to consultants, to small businesses, to large corporations, to international nonprofit organizations, so I’m familiar with solutions to the unique challenges each project presents.
I love specializing in author website design because it leverages my expertise in matching a book project with a target audience, while helping achieve the goals the author has set out for themselves. Often the creation of an author or book website is the culmination of a long-held dream of bringing a story to life, and I love being a small part of making that successful for my clients.
I’ve worked with major publishers, smaller independent publishers, self-publishers, freelance editors, book marketers and publicists, and hundreds of authors. I particularly love helping people who don’t feel comfortable with technology and the internet use their websites successfully.
I live in Portland, Oregon and San Jose, California with two papillons named Gus & Ernie, a wheaten terrier named Murray, a cat named Seamus, and my husband, Andy.
My clients live all over the world.
Some of Kate’s Clients:
“There was no doubt that I was going to make my author website fantastic, and when I came across Kate McMillan’s work, I knew my search for the perfect web designer was over. From our initial phone call, to the planning of the site itself, to the implementing our ideas, to training me how to use the site myself, Kate was professional, responsible, and supportive every step of the way. She understood what I wanted and really hit the perfect note in her design — bringing out my personality, while also creating a user-friendly, clear website that I’m truly excited about. I’m also comforted to know that she’s always only an email or phone call away. I’ve worked with many web designers before, but Kate takes the cake. To say I’m impressed would be a huge understatement.”
Jasmin Singer
Author of Always Too Much and Never Enough
Interested in Hiring Kate?
Kate designs & develops beautiful, user-friendly author & book websites. Whether you’re launching your first book or have many titles to your name, Kate can make a website that helps you meet & exceed your goals. Contact her to discuss what she can do for your project.