About Me

With over 20 years in the design industry (16 of those with WGN) I had the opportunity to work my dream job. I began as an intern in the TV industry and worked my way up from a news designer, to a motion designer, and most recently the Art Director at WGN.

Each step gave me a strong foundation and understanding for the next role. I’ve won multiple Emmys, Promax awards (now GEMA awards), hired exceptional talent, and most importantly, led a team with results.

At my core, I’m passionate about art and design. There is nothing better than starting a new project fresh with some loose sketches and taking them to completion. In my free time, I enjoy exploring other media. Watercolor, drawing, pottery, guitar - I’m open to anything that can inspire and create beauty.

I enjoy collaborating with people who have the drive and focus to produce something awesome with a smile on my face.

AWARDS
2023 Promax Local Award GOLD | Best Use of Design | Backstory Open
2023 Promax Local Award GOLD | BRAND IMAGE PROMO: LOCAL STATION (DMA 1-25) | WGN at 75
2022-2023 Chicago Midwest Emmy Award | WGN at 75 ID
2019 Illinois Broadcasters Association | Broadcast Excellence Award | WGN-TV Thanksgiving Parade
2017 Promax Local Award GOLD | Best Use of Design | Chicago’s Merry Own
2016-2017 Chicago Midwest Emmy Award Nominee | Chicago’s Merry Own
2017 Illinois Broadcasters Association | Outstanding Achievement of Broadcasting | Chicago’s Merry Own
2012 Promax Local Award GOLD | Holiday/Special Event Promotion | 9/11 Tribute
2011-2012 Chicago Midwest Emmy Award | Outstanding Crafts Achievement for Animation | Holiday IDs
2006 Promax Local Award SILVER | Holiday/Special Event Promotion | Happy Kwanzaa

ENDORSEMENTS

Is there a better endorsement than one from LIVE TV? Thank you to Ben Bradley and Lourdes Duarte for this amazing surprise send-off.
WGN Says Goodbye to Kristi Stone

Kristi was a fantastic Art Director for WGN-TV. I promoted Kristi from Motion Designer to Art Director and I had a feeling she a good fit for this role, and was she ever. Kristi had just the right balance between being a fantastic animator and designer with being a very good manager. Everything she touched she elevated the quality of. She led the design staff and guided the design approach for the station. First, she was a great designer producing many awards for the projects she collaborated and designed for. Secondly, she was a very good manager of the staff. She would consistently challenge the team to learn new skills. She helped them all grow as artists. Finally, she was passionate and committed to WGN. While it's sad to see her move on to new opportunities I am 100% confident she will be very successful in her next challenge.
~Jeff Wilson, Creative Services Director at WGN | June 2025

I have worked with Kristi Stone for almost 10 years and have had the pleasure of watching her grow as a designer and as a person. Every day she comes in and finds different ways to create and serve that exceeds expectations. Whenever there is a moment of free time, she is exploring and learning new skills to stay on top of design trends to make each project better than her last. She is able to take projects from concept to completion and deliver messages with award-winning designs and animations while always being sensitive to client needs. Her willingness to collaborate and engage in feedback discussions is always positive in accomplishing the best solution for the project. I have had many people come up to me and tell me how much they love working with her - e.g. just today, someone brought her a box of doughnuts as a thank you for going above and beyond! With Kristi’s positive attitude, technical skills, and her ability to easily communicate, I highly recommend her as an exceptional artist in the design and animation industry.
~Bernard Ong, Art Director at WGN | August 2018

Kristi was simply an honor to work with, incredibly talented in all facets of television design including motion and illustration. Her elevation to Art Director at WGN-TV was well deserved because of her ability to manage down as well as up. It starts and ends with Kristi being a good person…that goes along with those great design skills.
~Tom Vodick, Creative Services Director at WGN | November 2021

I can’t say enough to highlight how important she has become to every story we do. She develops the most engaging images with little or no guidance. Thank you so much!!
~Lourdes Duarte, Anchor/Investigative Reporter at WGN | August 2018

It is difficult for me to write a recommendation for Kristi Ikemire Stone without gushing, but here goes. My first experience with her many creative gifts was almost a decade ago when I was producing a half-hour special to mark the tenth anniversary of 9-11. She was assigned to do the graphics. She took the names of every victim in New York, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and used them to create the shapes of the twin towers and pentagon where each had died. Not only was it an exhaustive endeavor, it won her an Emmy award. WGN-TV is blessed with many gifted artists, so we don't always have the pleasure of working with her. But when we do, we know we'll get exceptional work. I can't imagine a graphics request she could not handle.
Pam Grimes, Special Projects Producer at WGN | August 2018