Who is behind Toast & Jam Studio?

My name is Karen Allen, the Graphic Designer and Illustrator behind this studio. My name is spelled Karen but it actually has a strange pronunciation that trips up some people:

Kar-in, like “Put the car in the garage.” Sounds like Kar-in but is spelled Karen.

Why do I pronounce my name like that? Well, I was born and raised in South Africa where no one has a problem pronouncing my name. It was only when my family moved to Canada in 1998 that we realized we had a name problem on our hands. I have been explaining my name for the last 26 years! Don’t worry if you get wrong the first time, just as long as you don’t call me Corn (yes, I have been called Corn by a couple Canadians over the years).

I have been a graphic designer for almost 20 years, and have worked solely with in house marketing and communications teams. This experience has helped me to understand that design is not just about visuals but encompasses everything from ad buys to copywriting. I am an expert in layout design, specifically in magazines, brochures, books and reports.

I also have a love for illustration which started the first time I read a Roald Dahl book with those zany drawings by Sir Quentin Blake. I have been working in illustration for the last two years and hope to expand my clientele in the future.

Work history

I graduated from Red River College in 2005 with a Diploma in Graphic Design and have worked as an in-house designer for 19 years with the following companies:

Economic Development Winnipeg

Ricki’s Fashions Inc.

The Manitoba Teachers’ Society

Canadian Mennonite University