Born and raised in Athens, Ohio, I grew up in a family of innovators and artisans. My parents, both accomplished artists—my mother a painter and my father a wood sculptor—instilled in me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and creativity from an early age. My great-grandmother’s copper enameling and my great-grandfather’s pioneering influence at Ohio University underscored a family legacy rooted in culture, education, and the arts.

At sixteen, a chance opportunity at a local sign shop opened the door to what would become a 25+ year career. There, I learned the fundamentals of graphic design, branding, and the emerging digital frontier. By 1999, I had built my first professional website, earning local recognition and awards, and I soon launched Kantner Design. Over the years, I’ve served a diverse range of clients—public institutions, global organizations, small businesses—delivering design solutions that are as practical as they are imaginative.