This spring, Bellevue Forward had the pleasure of working with Kate Eriksson, a talented student from the University of Pittsburgh’s Digital Narrative and Interactive Design program. From day one, Kate brought curiosity, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose to her internship, diving deep into what makes Bellevue such a unique and connected community. Her work reflects not only her academic strengths but also her genuine appreciation for the people, stories, and small businesses that shape our borough.
Throughout the semester, Kate produced an impressive range of projects that helped tell Bellevue’s story in thoughtful and engaging ways. Her social marketing analysis and audience research uncovered meaningful insights into the community’s identity—highlighting the importance of walkability, collaboration, and authentic growth. Building on that foundation, she developed a “Built Together” narrative framework that captures the spirit of Bellevue as a place shaped by the people who live and work here every day.
Kate’s creativity truly came to life through her media work. She developed a master story plan that connects events, visuals, and storytelling into one cohesive vision, while also producing an audio podcast, promotional video, website, and visual content to support it. Each piece works together to highlight the everyday moments, local voices, and shared experiences that define Bellevue. Her work demonstrates how storytelling can strengthen community identity and invite others to see Bellevue in a new light.
We are incredibly grateful for Kate’s contributions and the energy she brought to Bellevue Forward this semester. Her projects not only support our ongoing efforts in economic development and community engagement, but also leave us with tools and ideas we can continue to build on. We’re excited to see where her talents take her next—and we know she will continue creating meaningful, community-driven work wherever she goes.
View Kate’s work for Bellevue Forward on her website
