A litte about me

My name is Natalie Riley, and I am a writer, editor and graphic designer with a specialty in narrative storytelling and creative direction. 

With experience in editorial workflow, print and design, and brand marketing; I am drawn to “human-centricity.”

It is my belief that creative teams should center human ideation and connection at the forefront of production. To me,  human ethos is the foundation to strong storytelling and what compels an audience to take action. However, the integration of AI is both powerful and useful for workflow, and in application, is a topical tool that I am trained in, utilizing it with transparency in accordance with AI ethics. 

my background

Graduating from UC Santa Barbara with honors and distinction, I received a B.A. in English Literature, specializing in Creative Critical Practices, and minoring in Professional Writing. My expertise is editorial direction, serving as the Literature editor and Editor-in-Chief of The Catalyst Literary Arts Magazine, in which I directed the creative vision across three print issues.

What i do?

My experience across journalism, editorial writing, graphic design, and digital content has shaped a multidisciplinary approach to communication. I work across written and visual media, bringing ideas from research and concept development through writing, design, and publication..

Content Strategy & Journalist:

My journalism background, including international reporting as a foreign correspondent in Berlin, informs how I approach content strategy. Through research, data analysis, and an understanding of emerging trends, I identify audience interests, explore relevant conversations, and develop stories with a strong editorial foundation.

Digital Content & Brand Management:

Through my work as a Content Writer, Copywriter, and Copy Editor for UCSB's English Department and as a Humanities and Fine Arts Web Intern, I've developed content for university communications and digital platforms. My experience includes promotional writing, web content, social media management, copy editing, and visual asset creation, combining written and graphic communication across digital channels.

Editorial & Brand Marketing

As Editor-in-Chief of Catalyst Literary Arts Magazine, I've directed the publication's creative and editorial development, overseeing content selection, copy editing, publication design, and the production process. This experience has shaped my approach to brand marketing, where I draw on editorial judgment and creative direction to develop distinct messaging and translate a creative vision into effective brand communications.

Where I am headed

I'm interested in opportunities at the intersection of editorial, visual, and brand strategy, bringing together creative direction, brand development, and communications strategy. I hope to explore roles across creative branding, marketing, editorial strategy, graphic design, and creative production, with the opportunity to contribute to both the conceptual development and visual execution of projects.

My approach

  • Hand-selected materials, finished by practiced hands.

  • Conscience guides our craft from source to delivery.

  • Attentive yet unobtrusive, our team anticipates needs.

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