The Story

Growing up, my dad had a book of palindromes — small, clever stories that read the same forward and back, illustrated in stark black and white. I loved how much could be said with so little: a single word, read two ways, becoming its own small story. And then I noticed my own name sitting right there in the title. ANNA. My name was a palindrome too. 

Years later, after a career in publishing in New York, I went out on my own. I had a visual sensibility I’d been sharpening for years, and I wasn’t interested in sharpening it for someone else’s brand anymore. When it came time to name the business, there was only one word that felt true. Palindrome — playful, minimal, a little clever, and like the book, better the closer you look.

Two women are sitting inside a well-lit living room with large windows. One woman is sitting on a beige couch, wearing a brown checkered dress and black shoes, while the other woman is sitting on a chair or small sofa, wearing a floral top and blue pants. The room has a cream-colored sofa, a patterned rug, and various decorative items.
A woman in a light blue blouse sitting on a wooden surface in a cozy room with a beige wall, a lamp, a vase with dried flowers, and some books.

  • Co-Founder, Lead Designer

    Anna is a graphic designer who finds beauty in both the tangible and theoretical. An artist at heart, the common thread in Anna’s work is a quiet thoughtfulness and empathy that surfaces in both personal and client work. On any given day you can find her tinkering with her 100 year old letterpress.

    After obtaining a B.A. in graphic design from James Madison University, she spent 5 years as a book designer at Penguin Random House in New York City before moving down to Richmond and opening Palindrome Creative Co. with her sister.

    Anna has helped clients such as Quirk Hotel, Blanchard’s Coffee, University of Richmond, and more elevate their businesses by translating words and ideas into compelling visuals. Her work has also included collaborations with Hyatt, Yay Lunch!, University of Virginia, and Sydell Group.

Kate thinks big picture. I live in the details. She’s the one who’ll see where the business should go next; I’m the one who’ll make sure the smallest part of getting there is right. Different instincts, same standard — and somehow, we’ve never had to explain either one to the other. 

We’re drawn to restraint with a human touch: brands that are clean and colorful, minimal and warm, with just enough handmade detail to feel alive.

Woman with curly brown hair wearing a white short-sleeve blouse and bright orange pants standing in a room with a bookshelf and large green plant.

  • Co-Founder + Project Manager

    Kate is Palindrome’s project manager (and freelance photographer) who wears many hats. Whether it’s an architectural shoot or an editorial assignment, she takes pride in being a big picture thinker and brings connection to all Palindrome projects large and small.

    Kate wandered a circuitous path to photography. She earned a Bachelor’s in Spanish from UVA followed by a Master’s in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia University, ultimately using her linguistic education as a springboard back into exploring the visual world through photography and design

    Kate is the co-founder of The Family Narrative and her work has included collaborations with The New York Times, NPR, Virginia Public Media, Garden & Gun, Hyatt, Compass Real Estate, Imbibe Magazine, Forbes, Destination Hotels, Blue Bottle Coffee, Apartment Therapy - and others.

Palindromes we love

LISA BONET
ATE NO BASIL

SOLO GIGOLOS

NEVER ODD
OR EVEN

STEP ON
NO PETS

WONTON?
NOT NOW.

SENILE FELINES

Our Clients

Penguin Random House

Hyatt

Blue Bottle Coffee

Sydell Group

Compass Realty

William & Mary

Travel & Leisure Magazine

Quirk Hotel

Sydney Hale Co.

Shagbark Restaurant

Longoven

Alton Lane

Sub Rosa Bakery

Finesse Magazine

WeWork

Into Quarterly

Apartment Therapy

Yay Lunch !

McDevitt

New York Times

Jean-Georges Restaurants

Chez Foushee

Keswick Hall

University of Virginia

University of Richmond

Cava

The Tides Inn

WeWork