Thoughts & Ideas

branding bands

Branding bands, a case study
A black dog wearing a fluffy lion mane costume, with speech bubbles reading "JPGS?" "PNGS?" "TIFS?" and "OH MY!"

JPGS and PNGS and TIFS, oh my!
Watercolor illustration of a foot race for Illinois Marathon promotion.

Illustrate your idea, stand out in a crowd
The Venus de Milo, marble sculpture, woman with no arms.

Tell me the one about the armless designer
A minimalist illustration of a lone figure stepping across a gap in a white line on a golden yellow background, suggesting the balance and self-reliance required of solo self-employment.

Top 5 ways to be self-employed AND productive
A hand placing a red location pin at the end of a winding dashed path, illustrating the design principle of directing attention to a single focal point.

Focus on focal point
Vintage mannequin head sporting a beige beret cap.

The casual typographer
"Slainte!" sign in celtic font.

Your face is Irish
An ornate ampersand rendered in white, surrounded by intricate hand-drawn floral and botanical illustrations in red and green, celebrating the ampersand as both a typographic and decorative form.

Ode to the Ampersand
Fullerton Avenue in Chicago featuring street pole banner signage.

Cool signage in Lincoln Park
A flat graphic illustration of a dejected figure slumped atop a large red clock on a yellow background, representing the time and energy lost to a difficult client relationship.

The true cost of a difficult client
Exterior of Google headquarters building with the Google logo displayed prominently above the entrance, no corporate designation included.Exterior of Google headquarters building with the Google logo displayed prominently above the entrance, no corporate designation included.

Does my logo need to include LLC?
Venn diagram illustrating the concept of fast/cheap/great.

Fast, cheap AND great – how do you like your graphic design?
A pair of blue sneakers standing between two chalk-drawn faces on asphalt — one red and agitated, one yellow and cheerful — illustrating the choice between a difficult client and a good one.

Red flags every freelancer should know
Man in white shirt and tie holding a large clock up in front of his face.

What to do when everything hits at once
Brand design graphic on chalk board.

One stop branding shop
Halftone illustration of an open mouth, suggesting conversation or the moment before speaking.Halftone illustration of an open mouth, suggesting conversation or the moment before speaking.

Paying into the Good Faith Fund
Illustration of hand holding up a business card with a question mark.

When is it time to update my print materials?
The word "design" spelled out in typographer's wood block type.

Is it time to update your logo?
Halftone illustration of a fist gripping a pencil on a bright blue background, conveying creative energy and intention.Halftone illustration of a fist gripping a pencil on a bright blue background, conveying creative energy and intention.

Crafting the right message for your brand
Three pairs of hands assembling a paper rocket ship, symbolizing collaboration and the excitement of launching a new business.

I’ve got my name – now what?

What’s in a name?
Illustration of a small figure leaping across a gap with the help of a giant hand acting as a bridge, suggesting the support needed to make a significant transition.

How often should I redesign my website?
A flat graphic illustration of a tall ladder leading up to a bullseye target with an arrow hitting the center, against a bright teal sky with white clouds, representing the goal of reaching a precisely defined audience.

Who are you talking to, exactly?