Clean & Crafted Design
7 Visual Branding Mistakes That Hurt Customer Engagement (and How to Fix Them)
Minimalism vs. Maximalism in Branding & Logo Design: Striking the Right Balance
Striking the right balance between minimalism and maximalism in branding is essential for creating a memorable and effective brand identity. This blog post explores the strengths and pitfalls of both design philosophies, highlighting iconic brands like Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Gucci that have mastered these styles. Learn when to embrace clean, simple aesthetics and when to go bold with intricate, expressive visuals—and discover how some brands successfully blend both approaches. Whether you prefer sleek minimalism or vibrant maximalism, this guide will help you make intentional design choices that resonate with your audience.
Pixel Paladin Logo Design Prompt – Create a Gaming Studio Logo
Looking to expand your design portfolio? This gaming logo design challenge invites you to create a bold and creative Pixel Paladin logo—a gaming studio identity featuring pixel art, swords, and shields. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, this prompt is a fun way to explore branding, storytelling, and retro aesthetics. Grab your sketchpad and start designing today!
The Five Senses of Branding: Designing an Unforgettable Experience
Branding isn’t just about visuals—it’s about creating an experience that people can see, hear, touch, smell, and even taste. The most memorable brands go beyond logos and color schemes; they engage multiple senses to forge deep emotional connections with their audience. From the comforting scent of a coffee shop to the satisfying texture of premium packaging, sensory branding plays a powerful role in how customers perceive and remember a brand. In this post, we’ll explore how businesses—big or small—can tap into the five senses of branding to create a more immersive and engaging experience. Whether you’re designing for sight, sound, touch, scent, or taste, these strategies will help you build a brand that people don’t just recognize but truly feel.
Love vs. Loneliness: A Collage Prompt to Inspire Creativity
Explore the power of collage with the Love vs. Loneliness prompt, a creative exercise that contrasts connection and solitude. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this challenge encourages you to use colors, textures, and composition to express deep emotions. Dive into this mixed-media project, let your creativity flow, and discover the stories you can tell through art.
Lessons I Wish I Knew When I Started as a Designer
This blog post reflects on my journey as a designer, from starting in advertising to navigating career challenges and ultimately finding my true creative path. I share key lessons I wish I had known earlier—like the importance of not rushing into a first job, being intentional about career choices, and embracing exploration. Through personal experiences and insights, I offer practical advice for aspiring designers to help them avoid common pitfalls and build a fulfilling design career.
Stellar Sprout: A Logo Design Prompt to Spark Creativity
This blog post introduces a creative logo design prompt called Stellar Sprout, inspired by the themes of organic farming and celestial beauty. It encourages designers to blend nature and cosmic elements by incorporating constellation patterns into a sprouting leaf. The post provides actionable steps for approaching the design, including sketching freely, experimenting with contrast, choosing harmonious colors, and emphasizing symbolism. It’s an inspiring exercise for creatives looking to explore new ideas and refine their skills while adding unique designs to their portfolio.
Micro vs. Macro Refreshing: Knowing When Your Brand Needs a Light Tweak or a Full Overhaul
When it comes to refreshing your brand, understanding the difference between a micro and a macro refresh is essential. A micro refresh involves small, surface-level updates like tweaking your logo, refining your color palette, or modernizing your social media aesthetic—perfect for brands that feel slightly outdated but still resonate with their audience. On the other hand, a macro refresh is a comprehensive overhaul, redefining your brand's identity, messaging, and strategy to align with new goals or reach a new audience. This blog explores how to determine the right approach for your brand, offering tips to ensure your updates remain authentic and impactful, whether you’re making minor adjustments or embracing a complete transformation.
Create a Vision Board for Your Brand: A Fresh Approach to Defining Your 2025 Goals
Discover how to create a vision board tailored specifically to your brand in 2025 with the unique 'Four Quadrant Method.' This approach organizes your brand’s identity, audience connection, goals, and inspiration into a visually impactful tool that keeps you focused and motivated. Whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a team, this guide offers actionable steps to design a vision board that aligns your creative and strategic aspirations for the year ahead.
What I’ve Been Working On: Self-Publishing Guided Journals
In 2024, I launched This Moment Books and Journals, a personal project focused on self-publishing guided journals on Amazon KDP. My first release, In This Moment: A Guided Journal for Parents of Young Children, helps parents capture fleeting moments with their children. Designed for busy families, this minimalist, undated journal features prompts that inspire reflection on milestones, memories, and personal growth. It also includes space for children to contribute, making it a collaborative keepsake for the whole family. Perfect for parents who want to slow down and preserve the precious moments of their parenting journey.
A Glimpse into the Future: The Top 15 Graphic Design Trends of 2025
When I think of the design trends of 2025, I can’t help but think of the World’s Fair expositions. My mom once told me she went to one when she was little, and I can’t imagine what it must have been like to witness something like that.
Welcome to My Blog!
Why I Fell in Love with Graphic Design (And Why You Might Too). An intro to my blog, and my love for graphic design, and crafting visually impactful brands that last.