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Designing
with Heart

Transforming complex information into compassionate, accessible visuals

Hi, I’m Carla — Graphic Designer and Caregiver Advocate using the power of design to make information clearer, kinder, and more human.

Whether I’m translating policy into plain language, creating graphics that demystify topics, or telling real-life stories from the front lines of family caregiving, I bring a designer’s eye and a caregiver’s heart to every project. I believe visual communication can make healthcare more accessible — especially for those often left behind.

Pictured above is a graphic developed for the Mid-East Area on Aging. This campaign highlighted how common many forms of abuse take place within our communities, especially elder abuse.

About

Hi, I’m Carla Hanson — a lifelong communicator and visual storyteller with a mission to improve how we talk about health. My path into healthcare design began not in an office, but at home — caring for my grandmother, Sara.

For the last several years, I’ve been a live-in family caregiver. That role opened my eyes to just how difficult, confusing, and emotionally exhausting navigating the healthcare system can be — not just for patients, but for their families too.

My grandmother and I standing in front of the “Pitt County Mural” A project I worked on for the Public Information Office at PItt County Government.

Before caregiving, I led communications for county government through the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve written press releases under pressure, managed social campaigns during a crisis, and brought clarity to chaos. Now, I’m combining those skills with my design background and healthcare education to help build a better system — one visual, one voice, one experience at a time.

With Governor Roy Cooper at a mass vaccination clinic in Greenville, NC during the COVID-19 response.

I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Health Systems Management at UNC Charlotte and training in medical coding to deepen my understanding of healthcare operations. My long-term goal is to design better tools for families and open a community respite home inspired by lived caregiving experience.

If you're working in healthcare, policy, or public health and need someone who gets the system from the inside out — I’d love to connect.

Quick Facts:
🎓 Currently studying Health Systems Management at UNC Charlotte
🎨 Background in graphic design + public communications
💻 Interested in remote, mission-driven healthcare work
❤️ Caregiver to my grandmother, Sara
📍Based in North Carolina

  • One fateful day in my mid-20s, I was at work waiting tables at a local restaurant and overheard my guests discussing their school projects. I was nosey and inquired. They shared their class schedule with me. They told me their graphic design program was right here in town at the local community college! I signed up and on the first day of class, I fell in love. I knew I had found the start of my career.

  • It’s understanding the user experience to connect with the end goal. We are all visual creatures. Visual isn’t always a literal approach - that’s where design comes in. After so many projects and countless budgets to work with, you start to see how it all connects.

  • “My strengths are better served BEHIND the camera however, this was a proud moment for me in my career.”
    While trying to promote ‘The Inoculated’ Parallels of History In Pitt County, I collaborated promotional efforts with my wonderful teachers from where it all began in design school. :-) Sometimes, it’s WHO you know.

    Check out “My PCC Story” as I promote The Inoculated: Parallels in Pitt County History

    IMDB The Inoculated: Parallels in Pitt County History

    Pitt County Government: The Inoculated

Career Related Skills and Experience

  • Branding

    Layout

    Photography

    Illustration

  • InDesign

    Photoshop

    Illustrator

    Procreate

    Acrobat

    Premiere Pro

    Affinity Suite

    Microsoft Office Suite

  • Basic Public information Officer (PIO) Training instructed by FEMA - 3 Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Activations

    Appointed Interim Director of PIO 9/2021 - 6/2022

    5+ years ongoing internship partnership with PCC (Advertising & Graphic Design)

Awards

The video seen here was created to remind me of how awesome projects come together. Our team was asked to redesign the Pitt Area Transit System conference room. This assignment was recognized as a 2019 Excellence in Communications First place award in the “Illustration or Graphic” category. Every year, the North Carolina City, County Communicators (NC3C) recognize and celebrate quality submissions throughout all of North Carolina. Click Here to read more about this award winning project.

Testimonials

 

Innovation and Inspiration thrive when like-minded professionals collaborate! Click ‘Testimonials to read more kind words from some awesome people.

Michelle Ethridge

  • Michelle Ethridge, Pitt County Community Paramedic Supervisor

  • Community Paramedic Program (CPP) CPP Brochure

    NCACC Logo

  • As the lead EMS paramedic for the Community Paramedic Program, I wear many hats – community liaison, outreach partner, care coordinator, accountability coach, and resource for both the community and the health/EMS systems. I'm constantly on the move, serving clients at their homes. Carla has been a true asset to our program, contributing through printed collateral, videos, logo design, and photography. She even co-hosted a radio spot during First Responders' hours! Her grandma, who became our "Poster Grandma" due to her connection with Carla, has also been my patient. Thanks, Carla, for your dedicated work.

    For all your creative service needs, trust CarlaMade Creative Design. We're your go-to for branding, marketing, and more.

Kyle Kettler

  • Kyle Kettler, Former Pitt County PIO Specialist

    Town of Garner Communications Specialist

    PIO Videographer (5/2017 - 6/2021)

    Little Dog Video and Photo

  • Regarding time worked the Public Information Office 2017 - 2021

  • “Life is made of meetings and partings. That’s the way of it.” It’s been one insane ride, one that I consider to be so fortunate to have learned so much as a person, an artist, an editor and a citizen. Carla, you’ve helped me expand my narrow skillsets outside of video into print, design, photography, and so much more. The things I’ve learned from you have made its way into my creative and professional DNA. You’ve shown me what it’s like to have a creative team always have my back. See you on the next project.