I recently worked on a pro bono project for a friend, and it reminded me of a time early in my career and how lucky I was then to get such great advice from the more seasoned pros around me. Advice that ultimately saved me from some major pitfalls. I made mistakes here and there over the course of nearly 20 years of projects, but with each hiccup came a lesson. Here are some takeaways from my lessons learned and all that sage advice.

Questions Equal Clarity
Clients come to us designers for our expertise, and it is our job to guide them through the process. We are helping them find clarity about their vision and goals for their project.

There are tons of reasons for a business to want to give back in some way. In the past, businesses have chosen charities for tax breaks, credibility, or to be recognized as a “good corporate citizen.” While all these reasons are valid, and you may want to consider them when choosing a charity, the best option is a strategic choice. This can be an opportunity to do more than just give money or write checks: it can be an opportunity to get closer with your audience while making an impact on something that matters greatly to you.

In a world where everyone needs it now and wants to be there quickly, I choose to take the scenic route.

I was recently on a group call and one of the designers chirped that she churns out a new website for her clients every other day. I was blown away. Just floored. That is a LOT of work to get done in two workdays. And that included a logo! I have been doing this for quite a while and I started to wonder am I a dinosaur unable to keep up with kids fresh out of school? Is this where it is all headed? I had a lot of questions. What was she using to get all of this done so quickly? Are there new tools I just don’t know about yet? So. Many. Questions.

It’s that time of year again people. We’ve nearly made it to the end of 2021. Whew, right? So, what is in store for 2022?

Pantone just released the 2022 Color of the Year: Very Peri. It’s a lovely purply-blue color. I have been spotting similar hues all over the place in recent months and even began using a similar shade on my website for a pop of color a few months ago. In addition to a more vibrant color palette for 2022, as far as design goes, I think we are in for some trends toward irreverence and fun.

Here are my predictions for the world of design in 2022.

You are the expert on your brand. You know it best, inside and out. So, then why do I need a branding expert? Because there is a difference between knowing your brand and your brand’s branding. HUGE. DIFFERENCE. So, while most brand designers will ask you questions and guide you on the brand strategy path, here are four tips to make the most out of your sessions.

Entrepreneurs, if you don’t have a brand strategy, here are four reasons you could be leaving money on the table.