Librarian and Digital Designer
Curating knowledge, designing with imagination
Hello, and welcome! I'm Julia Reed - a librarian, creative professional, and digital enthusiast based in South Texas. My career and education have taken me from the Rio Grande Valley to Brunswick, Maine, and Chicago, Illinois - each place shaping my perspective and enriching the diverse skill set I bring to both my library work and my digital design projects.
Library Work
With a background in library science and information design, I currently work remotely as a Systems Librarian at the University of Phoenix, managing digital resources while contributing to reference services and content creation. Previously, I spent fifteen years working in public and specialized research libraries, including the McAllen Public Library and The Newberry Library in Chicago. My specializations include reference, collection development, and digital services.
Shop
Outside of my library work, I’m a digital artist, surface pattern designer, and photographer who believes in the emotional power of color and simplicity. Through Julia Reed Creative, I share a collection of vibrant patterns, whimsical illustrations, and nature photography - all inspired by nostalgia, folk art, bold shapes, and the beauty of everyday life.
My digital work blends cheerful motifs like hearts, flowers, butterflies, and silhouettes with retro-modern color palettes and clean vector design. At the same time, my photography captures the real-life textures and color stories I see in the natural world, from blooming flowers and backyard birds to Texas skies and mountain scenes.
Whether I’m designing a pattern or photographing a butterfly mid-flight, I’m always chasing a sense of emotional resonance - something that feels bright, thoughtful, and a little magical. My goal is to create art that makes people smile, pause, or feel just a little more connected to the world around them.
