about graphiknation

Lauren Holley, owner and Creative Director for Graphiknation

meet visual artist, designer and photographer Lauren Holley

GRAPHIKNATION® is an Atlanta-based creative studio specializing in graphics and web design, photography, and branding led by Creative Director and Principal, Lauren Holley. A natural talent with a creative eye for composition, she was drawing well before she could talk.

“I knew she was an artist by the time she was two years old,” says her mother.

As a strong art director and creative director with big picture vision and hands on experience, Lauren has worked with artists, individuals, large and small businesses, and non-profits to conceive and design successful visual branding across all types of media for a diverse range of industries and target audiences. Alongside her extremely critical eye for small details, Lauren has impressive team leadership skills, and can manage a creative project of any size to scope and budget. She works effectively across creative, account, development, sales and marketing teams to produce results for a wide range of clients.

Her work has graced the big screen in Times Square, shared the stage with Madonna and gone social with Tegan & Sara. She’s been featured in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Atlanta and Oz magazines, and — most recently — won three Reader’s Pick categories in Creative Loafing’s Best of 2015 Awards for Local Artist Instagram, Street Photographer, and Best Fine Arts Photographer (tied with Bhargava Chiluveru). Previously, Lauren was creative director at digital agency Definition 6. She holds a degree in visual communications from the Art Institute of Atlanta.

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lauren lives and works in Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward neighborhood with her partner and their two rescue pugs, Phoebe & Elliot. Lauren is also the founder of Atlanta Urban Photo Walkers, a meetup group exploring and documenting ATL’s changing cityscape.

  • "Lauren, you are amazing. Thank you for bringing so much to the table in terms of independent thinking. I can’t remember having worked with someone as capable of contributing so much or taking so much ownership of a project."

    — jamie m.

  • "Stunning! I know that you are great at this, and I always have very high expectations for your work. You manage to wildly exceed my expectations each time.."

    — mike v.

  • "Wow, what a great presentation you gave! Yours was among the best presentations we’ve heard in recent years. You covered not only the mechanics and art of street photography but also the grayer side of the topic to include respect for people, property and the law. It was a well thought out discussion. Thank you for spending your evening with us."

    — ralph b.

  • "I have never worked with another Creative Director as talented as Lauren. I really don’t think there is any challenge that she won’t blow you away with her approach. I am constantly amazed at Lauren’s recommendations and designs. Her talent allows my work to be best in class. She is a great collaborator and a pleasure to work with."

    — beth v.

  • "I presented the designs in person today. I got an “Oh My God”, “goose bumps”, and several “I just love it” quotes with big smiles. Lauren, you are a rockstar. I’m sure you have heard that many times, but I just wanted to let you know just HOW MUCH we appreciate your efforts."

    — derek g.

  • "OH MY GOSH! These are stunning! You are brilliant! I am in awe of your talent!"

    — schonie h.

  • Lauren, thank you again for such a wonderful and amazing show poster. We are getting so many killer compliments on it. Even the printer was like, “this poster rocks, and I’ve seen a lot of posters.”

    — stacie s.