The Feed

Not your typical studio—no walls, no beams.

We left architecture behind to build on dreams.

It’s not just business; it’s bigger than that,

A place where purpose and peace have a chat.

We don’t follow the rules, we’re a radical tribe,

Where brands drop the mask and find their vibe.

A space for those who crave something real,

Where design isn't just made—it's felt, it's healed.

If you’re looking for labels, you won’t find them here,

Just people, their stories, their voice in mirror.

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I’m an identity architect—that’s my lane,

Not just design, but the soul of the game.

Helping brands strip back to what’s real,

Identity work you can actually feel.

In a world that’s copy-paste, all the same,

Identity’s the one thing we refuse to tame.

It’s not about trends or the next big wave,

It’s about digging deep, finding the brave.

It’s uncovering the story beneath the noise,

And giving that story its own voice.

Because in a world that never slows,

Only the real ones keep their glow.

Here, identity’s more than a name,

It’s a compass, a light, it’s fuel for the flame.

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And Troy—he was there from day one,

His passion, his skills, baked into everything we’ve done.

That smirk of his? Yeah, it’s still around,

In every new idea, every way we break ground.

He’s the vibe check when things get unclear,

That voice saying, “Look closer, it’s right here.

”It’s not just design; it’s trust, it’s grit,

A journey we took, lesson by lesson, bit by bit.

His mark lives on in every brand we mold,

In every gap we close, every story told.

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But life doesn’t play by the rules—

Back in Cleveland, feeling the pull.

Came back to the streets that built me up,

But now I’ve got new stories, new stuff.

Those roads I knew like the back of my hand?

Now they echo, like ghosts in the land.

I’m not the same, I’ve outgrown the past,

A stranger here, but I’m holding fast.

Trying to plant what I’ve learned, what I know,

In a city that shaped me, but feels too slow.

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Cancer hit, but the studio couldn’t wait—

Clients, projects, dreams at stake.

I led through the treatments, through endless nights,

Guiding my team while waging my fight.

Every setback a test of faith and will,

Yet we pushed forward, even when money stood still.

I showed up for them, as they did for me,

Holding onto the vision, refusing to flee.

Because even in the darkest of days,

This studio was my reason, my light, my way.

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And through it all, one constant stayed,

My wife, my rock, in the hardest days.

She held me up when I felt small,

Her strength and grace guiding it all.

A partner, my right hand, steady and true,

Building this dream as much as I do.

Sarah, you stood with me when the world fell apart,

Held my fears, my hopes, my fragile heart.

In every battle, you were my calm, my fight,

My anchor in darkness, my beacon of light.

Without you, none of this would be,

This studio, this life—our shared legacy.

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Today the legacy is built on gratitude, not fear,

Thanking God every day that I’m still here!

In an industry that's too fat, too safe, too stale.

They sell fast and cheap, while creativity’s in the pale.

No time to pause. No patience for a mirror.

We won’t just do it, our mantra is clear.

This studio’s proof that peace is power,

That clarity can rise in the darkest hour.

We’ve got your back when they shut the door,

When the world feels heavy, and you can’t take anymore.

Calling all the radicals, far-reaching and thorough,

Bringing peace today and tomorrow.

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Welcome to the dark side, where your designs shine a little brighter. Dark mode is the sleek, casually rebellious cousin of the traditional bright, airy user interface. What started as a feature for night owls and developers burning the midnight oil has become a design staple for nearly everyone, especially the younger generation. If you’ve spent time on Twitter (now X), Instagram, or TikTok, you’ve probably noticed one thing, the platforms are catering more to their Gen Z audience with dark mode, and they’re not switching back anytime soon. And if you ask any of the gifted Gen Z designers at a small studio, all of them are permanently in dark mode across devices.

For designers, this shift isn’t just a trend, it’s a tectonic move in how we need to approach our craft.

Let’s explore why Gen Z has made dark mode their default and what brands should consider when deciding if it’s time to embrace the dark side.

Gen Z, the digital natives who were practically raised with a screen in hand, view dark mode as the norm. In fact, research shows that over 80% of Gen Z users stick to dark mode once they’ve switched, hardly looking back. But why?

1. Eye Comfort and Health: Dark mode is easier on the eyes, especially in low-light settings. With Gen Z spending upwards of 10 hours a day across devices, the reduced strain dark mode offers can make a noticeable difference. The harsh glare of a white background can cause discomfort, especially at night, when many of us are doom-scrolling in bed (you know who you are).
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2. Aesthetic Appeal: Gen Z’s design tastes lean towards the sleek and minimal, and dark mode perfectly fits this aesthetic. It’s modern, understated, and in many ways, more visually striking than traditional light themes. The contrast of bright colors, bold typography, and vibrant images against a dark background creates an undeniably cool vibe.
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3. Battery Efficiency: Battery life is another practical reason why Gen Z sticks with dark mode. On OLED screens, which are common in newer smartphones, dark mode can actually save battery by turning off the pixels in black areas. For a generation that’s constantly on the go, saving those precious extra minutes of battery life is a big deal.
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4. Feels Personal and Customizable: Dark mode, to many Gen Z users, feels more personal. It’s not just about aesthetics or battery life; it’s about having control over their experience. Customization is key to this generation, and choosing dark mode feels like a way to make their devices their own.

For designers and brands, dark mode isn’t just a passing phase, it’s a fundamental shift in how we approach UI/UX design. But jumping on the dark mode bandwagon isn’t as simple as flipping a color palette. Dark mode comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities.

In dark mode, contrast becomes the main player. Colors that pop on a light background can feel muted or muddy on a dark canvas. High contrast is essential for readability and accessibility, but it’s also key to making sure your designs remain visually striking. Consider how your brand colors interact with dark backgrounds.

If your palette relies heavily on dark tones, you may need to introduce lighter, brighter accents to maintain balance.

Certain colors, particularly mid-tones like grays and muted pastels, can lose their punch in dark mode. What might appear sleek and minimal in light mode can look dull and flat when placed against a dark background. Test your designs across light and dark modes to ensure your visuals don’t lose their impact.

Light-colored text on a dark background can feel like it’s jumping off the screen, which is great for making a bold statement, but it can quickly become overwhelming if not handled carefully. Go too light with the font weight, and readability suffers. Go too heavy, and the design feels clunky.
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Brands must strike the right balance in font weight and size to ensure text is readable and visually appealing.

In light mode, subtle shadows and gradients can add depth and nuance to a design. But in dark mode, these elements often disappear or feel out of place. Designers need to focus on flat designs, bold lines, and clean layouts to make the most out of dark mode. Depth is created more through contrast than visual effects like shadows.

Should Your Brand Go Dark?Now comes the million-dollar question: should your brand fully embrace dark mode? The answer is more nuanced than you might think.

1. Know Your Audience: Gen Z? Absolutely. If your brand is targeting younger, tech-savvy users, dark mode should definitely be on your radar. This generation not only prefers dark mode, they expect it. In fact, brands that don’t offer dark mode options can seem outdated or out of touch with their preferences.
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2. Consider the Experience: If your brand’s app or website involves long reading times or intensive visual engagement (think news apps, social media, or e-commerce platforms), dark mode can enhance user comfort and extend their browsing session. However, for brands that rely on highly detailed or brightly colored visuals, like fashion or food, you might need to carefully tweak your dark mode design to maintain vibrancy.
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3. Think About Your Brand Identity: Not all brands are a natural fit for dark mode. If your brand identity is rooted in light, bright, and airy aesthetics, fully embracing dark mode could feel inauthentic. However, offering it as an option, rather than the default, can be a way to please dark mode lovers without compromising your core brand look.
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4. Test, Adapt, and Test Again: The best designs are flexible. Just as we design responsive layouts for different devices, we need to design for different modes. That means testing your brand’s visual identity in both light and dark modes and adapting accordingly. The goal isn’t to create two separate experiences but a cohesive one that works seamlessly across both environments.

Dark mode is a shift in user behavior, and it’s here to stay.

Understanding why Gen Z has made dark mode their default for brands and designers is crucial in adapting your design strategy. Dark mode offers a way to create bold, modern experiences, but it also requires thoughtful execution to ensure your brand’s identity and message shine through.

As with any design decision, the key is balance. The dark side can be sleek, chic, and incredibly cool, but only if it’s done right. Just like Gen Z has chosen to stick with dark mode, your brand can thrive in it too with the right approach. You can know more about the Gen Z vibe, from our last article.

Ready to take your brand to the dark side with authenticity? We specialize in crafting experiences that work in light and the dark. Let’s start some small talk about a digital identity that shines, no matter the mode.

Oh Gen Z, what a beautiful title for such an eclectic collection of individuals. The last letter of the alphabet and the least common in our common English vocabulary. Coincidence? Never. Just like the English language the current state of our workforce is volatile and chaotic and just like the letter Z in Scrabble many industry leaders have struggled utilizing this incredible generation of talent. The question is why? I’d like to debunk this myth by sharing my experience building an international design agency with majority Gen Z employees.

Gen Z, also known as Digital Natives, Artivist (my favorite), and Zoomers (my least favorite), entered the workforce during the pandemic age. Let’s take a moment and just feel that statement. I could not imagine starting my first job during a time when everyone was scared of each other, fighting for their lives, and taking meetings from the bedroom nightstand because their roommate called dibs on the couch. Let’s be honest, none of us would have survived our first job, if we got one at all. Sadly along with all of these, Gen Z is often labeled unprepared for work (whatever that means), entitled, poor work ethic, chronically ADD, difficult to work with, and disloyal. Is it me or does the business world say this about every new generation entering the workforce?

I am pretty sure I heard the same thing about Millenials when I entered the workforce following the housing crisis of 2008.

Shame. Shame. Shame. We have and always have had a responsibility to empower the following generations so that they can be better and better off than we were. However, it seems that the common narrative is to make them adapt to us rather than the other way around. To label a whole generation anything is more ridiculous than labeling a nationality anything. Yet another attempt to allow our small, sterile, and unimaginative minds to make sense of something that is beyond our control.

Ok, enough of my disdain for the traditional marketplace, here are three things you might be but Gen Z is definitely not.

Gen Z isn’t Disloyal, your vision is basic.‍

Gen Z is often labeled as “job hoppers,” but that’s because they’re not like older generations and have more job options than ever, whether working from their parents' basement or living in their cars. Let’s get real.

This perception of disloyalty stems from their high expectations for purpose-driven work and alignment with company values. Gen Z can spot BS from a mile away—they know if you’re building your business for yourself or to make the world better. Company values and vision matter now more than ever; Gen Z won’t compromise their principles for a paycheck. According to a Deloitte study, over 70% of Gen Z would quit if their work lacked meaning or didn’t align with their values. So, if your Gen Z employees are leaving, it’s either because you deceived them or your values shifted.

With a basic vision, why would the most technically capable generation work for you when they can go anywhere else?

To illustrate, I hired a Gen Z designer in late 2021 after sorting through over 500 applications. Shortly after, she told me, “John, I’m never leaving. a small studio is the place I always dreamed of creating. I thought I’d have to build it myself!” And guess what? She’s still here, often repeating that sentiment. Why? Who knows—maybe she’ll write an article about it (wink wink). I’m just glad to share a story about a 24-year-old who felt this way.

Gen Z isn’t lazy or entitled, your leadership is.

2020 forced us to realize how unsustainable and unhealthy our work lives were. Cue the Great Resignation, when people finally said, "Nope, my health matters more than your endless grind." Now Gen Z gets ridiculed for learning that lesson—how dare they prioritize mental health over 12-hour workdays and chasing pointless promotions? Shame on them for not wanting to spend hours commuting just to sit next to Bob, the guy who clips his nails at his desk, or for expecting employers to care about their well-being in a world where mental illness and suicide rates are skyrocketing.

It’s not laziness; it’s a shift toward healthier, smarter work practices.

For too long, business leaders have equated success with profit margins alone. Gen Z is pushing for a new definition of leadership, and if you don’t adapt, you’ll miss out on the best talent of a whole generation.

Take my experience at a small studio: I realized middle management was unnecessary, a roadblock. So, I let my employees work directly with clients. The result? A 23-year-old led our most successful branding project—completed faster, better, and with less management than ever before. Why? Because I trusted him. Then, another younger employee, inspired by the work, created one of our first animated case studies. She did it because she was empowered, not micromanaged.

So, if you think Gen Z is lazy or entitled, ask yourself: Are you a lazy or entitled leader?

Gen Z isn’t chronically ADD, your meetings are unnecessary.

I get it—every time I see a group of youths (yep, that’s what I call them) recording a TikTok in a parking lot, I can’t help but wonder why that’s their focus. But let’s be real: Gen Z has an attention span of 8 seconds compared to millennials’ 12. That’s a third of their focus gone. Business leaders, take note: PowerPoint isn’t your friend here. Just don’t.

Now, a shorter attention span doesn’t mean Gen Z can’t focus. It means they process info faster and tune out what they deem unnecessary. If your Gen Z employees aren’t paying attention to your presentation, it’s because they’ve either already figured it out or don’t find it relevant.

Are you still presenting like it’s 2004? It’s time to change your approach.

The necessity of meetings today is up for debate. But trust me, Gen Z would rather be doing something else. That’s why we keep meetings minimal at a small studio. Unless your meeting sparks creativity, cultivates collaboration, or strengthens relationships, it’s probably not worth the time. Do everyone a favor—send an email or, better yet, a Slack message.

At a small studio, we kick off Mondays with a 45-60 minute “Vibe Check.” It’s exactly what it sounds like—an opportunity to catch up, set the tone for the week, and share the energy we want to bring into our projects. The first 10 minutes? Squirrel time—talk about life, news, whatever. Then, we listen to a song that sets the vibe for the week and discuss it. The insights are always thought-provoking (because why not? We’re a creative agency). We close by reviewing client work and internal projects, giving everyone a chance to share concerns and stay aligned.

It’s not just about productivity—it’s about engagement.

Throughout the week, we hold a 60-minute gathering called Office Hours. It’s optional, but no one ever misses it. Instead of endless check-ins for each project, we’ve consolidated them into one space where anyone can get immediate feedback. It also allows the whole team to see the work, improving its quality through collective input. A perfect environment to nurture young talent.

These are just a few ways a small studio has not only embraced Gen Z but thrived along side of them. I’m sharing them to empower Gen Z creatives who might feel like they don’t belong or are not enough. There are places out there that value you, and leaders willing to create spaces where you can thrive. If you can’t find them, shoot me an email —I’ll help you. Regardless, don’t give up. We need you, Artivist.

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With the latest design rebrand making the news, the quiet power of the design trend labelled The Balenciaga Effect rears its head once more. Aptly named after the luxury fashion house's surprising move to a stripped-back logo in 2017, the trend has sparked a wave of brands embracing minimalist, classic aesthetics. This trend isn't just about sleek visuals; it's a return to heritage and authenticity (of sorts), signaling a brand's core identity in an increasingly cluttered world.

When Balenciaga revealed its Helvetica-esque logo, inspired by the clarity of public transportation signage, it caught the industry off guard. Known for its avant-garde designs, Balenciaga's choice to pare down seemed almost rebellious against the loud, maximalist trends of the time. Yet this decision was no accident. The logo's simplicity allowed Balenciaga to cut through the noise with clarity and sophistication, setting the stage for a broader shift in the design world.

Burberry, another storied luxury brand, followed suit, ditching its intricate knight-and-banner crest for a streamlined sans-serif logo. The redesign, driven by new creative leadership, signaled both modernity and a return to Burberry's roots. By removing visual complexity, Burberry highlighted its legacy while modernizing its identity for a new generation of consumers.

Similarly, Balmain embraced this minimalist trend by simplifying its iconic monogram. Known for its dramatic, high-fashion designs, the brand scaled back its logo in favor of a refined, geometric look that still exudes luxury, but in a way that feels more timeless and approachable.

At first glance, "Who's there?" seems like a simple question. But when Hamlet's guard opens the famous play with this line, it sets the stage for a deeper exploration that resonates with each of us centuries later. Hamlet's journey is more than just about avenging his father's death; it's about the tug-of-war between societal expectations and personal Identity.

This is where we all enter the scene. Because, in some way or another, we've all asked ourselves, "Who am I supposed to be?" and "Who do I want to be?"

For us at a small studio, these questions are the very foundation of our work. When we talk about Identity Architecture for our client partners, we're not just talking about colors, logos, and typography (though those are vital, of course). We're talking about the core of a brand. Its story. Its why. It's not unlike Shakespeare's Denmark, filled with ambition, love, betrayal, and, ultimately, the search for something more profound.

Back in Hamlet's day (and for the thousands of years before it), someone else would have defined the answer to that question: society, the church, the king.

Our ancestors lived through the lens of the collective, with their Identity shaped by external forces, rather than individual introspection.

But fast forward to today, and the paradigm has flipped. Now, in our main-character-energy, hyper-individualized world, we look inward, trying to define "me" in a way that feels true yet connects with the external world. This balancing act is what makes Identity Architecture so crucial in today's business landscape.

We empower founders, and teams to answer, "Who's there?" for themselves and their brands by first helping them look inward and understand the values, purpose, and story that makes them tick.

Like Hamlet, they have to confront their own conflicts: who are they versus who the world wants them to be?

But here's the twist: Your Identity doesn't stop with "you." It's not just about your internal musings or existential crises. It's also about how you engage with others; your clients, your team, your community.

Psychiatrist Dan Siegel puts it beautifully:

"The brain is a social organ, made to be in a relationship."

Like Siegel's description of the mind, our identities are shaped as much by our relationships with others as by our internal thought processes. A brand, therefore, isn't just a standalone entity, in our opinion it's a living system that thrives on interaction, conversation, and empathy.

This is why we provide a creative operating system for our partners to ensure they do not operate as islands. They are empowered to know what to let in and keep out while maintaining an identity that is distinct yet connected to the world around them.

In today's world, the brands that resonate aren't the loudest or the trendiest. They're the ones who can step into the shoes of others and understand their customers, their competitors, and themselves. This is where empathy becomes a superpower. According to social theorist Jeremy Rifkin;

Empathy isn't just good PR; it's a business strategy. Brands that cultivate empathy internally (think a supportive team culture) and externally (create products that matter to people) are the ones that not only survive but thrive.

Our mission with Identity Architecture is to empower our client partners toward becoming "one of none"; unique, irreplaceable, the Hamlet of their category. How? By designing their Identity in a way that empowers them to stay true to who they are, while also embracing the dynamic, ever-shifting world around them. We ask the tough questions. We dive deep into their "why." And, yes, we help them see beyond just the logo, fancy colors, and tagline to the real heart of their brand.

Because, at the end of the day, the world doesn't need another cookie-cutter brand; it requires authenticity. And when you figure that out, you won't have to wonder, "Who's there?" anymore.

Inspired by Sam Chaltain’s Nature’s Design Principles→

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Have you ever worked on a project where everything just clicked? Where you and your team moved in sync, like the gears of a well-oiled machine? That, is chemistry, a magical but genuine connection between people that can turn a good idea into a great project.

Chemistry isn't just about romantic sparks or lifelong friendships. It's about finding the right fit, whether it's a team member, client, or partner, who elevates your game and multiplies the odds of success. It's when working together feels as natural as breathing that creativity and productivity grow exponentially.

In the 58th edition of Ding, which we titled; Beauty Bias, we were buzzin because we had a particular client-partner that we had incredible chemistry with, and the result of that project "Patina" which we foreshadowed in the article speaks for itself. Patina was a delight to name, and eventually translate into a visual brand identity across touchpoints. It was pure chemistry from the get Go, with our client-partner.

Honestly, Chemistry isn't just poetic language. It's backed by research. Studies in neuroscience have shown that when we engage in positive, collaborative efforts, our brains release oxytocin; the bonding hormone. Oxytocin fosters trust, empathy, and cooperation, making it easier to work through problems and innovate together.

Basically, it's the brain's way of saying, "This is working. Keep going."

Further, research on teams by Google (famously called "Project Aristotle") found that psychological safety- knowing you can express ideas, take risks, and admit mistakes without fear was the number one factor in high-performing teams. When we click with others, that sense of safety and trust skyrockets, allowing us to do our best work without hesitation.

Think about some of the most successful creative partnerships. From Lennon and McCartney's iconic music to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak's technological revolution at Apple, chemistry was the key to their magic. Their complementary skills and mutual respect elevated their work beyond what they could have achieved alone.

This same principle applies to you, whether you're hunting for the perfect collaborator or client. It's not just about what they bring to the table; it's about how your combined energy transforms the work. Chemistry allows you to go beyond the expected and reach that sweet spot of collaboration where 1 + 1 equals 10.

How to Find Your Chemistry Match

1. Be Yourself: Authenticity is a magnet for the right people. Whether you're looking for a client who shares your design philosophy or a team member who vibes with your workflow, showing up as your authentic self creates the opportunity for genuine connections. Chemistry happens when people feel they can be real around each other.
2. Ask the Right Questions: Whether in a job interview or a first client meeting, skip the cookie-cutter questions. Get to the heart of what makes the other person tick. What motivates them? How do they approach collaboration? You'll quickly see if there's a spark; an alignment of values, goals, or vision that suggests you'll work well together.
3. Pay Attention to Energy: Have you ever had a meeting where the energy just drags despite everyone's best intentions? Conversely, you've probably had conversations where the ideas bounce effortlessly back and forth. That's chemistry or the lack of it in action. Pay attention to those energy shifts. Feeling the energy lift is a good sign you've found someone worth partnering with.

The beauty of chemistry is that it isn't just about instant connections; it can be nurtured. Trust, after all, isn't built in a day. Here are a few tips to build and strengthen chemistry over time:

• Over-Communicate: In both creative partnerships and personal relationships, clear communication is essential. Don't assume the other person knows what you're thinking; share it.
• Celebrate Wins Together: Small or big, success is best when shared. Celebrating milestones with your team or client deepens bonds and reinforces the sense that you're in this together.
• Stay Curious: Ask questions. Not just about work but about who your partner is as a person. Genuine curiosity breeds trust, and trust is the bedrock of chemistry.

In creative partnerships, we often get caught up in finding the "perfect" person who ticks all the skill boxes. But here's a little secret:

Chemistry beats perfection. The right fit is someone whose energy elevates yours, whose ideas inspire you, and who makes work feel less like a grind and more like magic.

If you're a creative looking for that partner, whether it's a business collaborator, a team member, or a client, focus on chemistry. When the connection is right, everything else falls into place, multiplying your odds of success in ways you didn't even imagine.

And trust me, once you've experienced that chemistry, you'll never settle for anything less.

Go find your alchemy partner in love and work. Because with the right person by your side, the odds of success are infinitely multiplied.

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"Less is more." It’s not just a minimalist mantra; it’s the secret sauce for a more productive, happier, and creative workforce. And guess what? The four-day workweek is leading the charge. Once a fringe idea, the concept of working fewer days is now making headlines worldwide, and for good reason. Companies that have embraced this model are not just surviving; they're thriving. So, let’s dive into the why and how of this revolutionary approach.

The Science Checks Out

If you’re skeptical about shaving off a workday, the numbers might convince you otherwise. In 2022, a massive trial in the UK involving 61 companies and almost 3,000 employees found that a four-day workweek led to a remarkable 71% drop in burnout levels. Productivity didn’t just hold steady; it improved by 1.4% across the board. Employees reported feeling more balanced, engaged, and—this is the clincher—creative.

New Zealand’s Perpetual Guardian, a financial services company, reported a 20% increase in productivity after switching to a four-day workweek, with staff stress levels dropping from 45% to 38%. Even more impressive, Microsoft Japan saw a whopping 40% increase in productivity during a month-long trial in 2019.

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Why Creatives Benefit the Most

Creatives are a unique breed. We thrive on inspiration, spontaneity, and the occasional squirrel moment. The rigid 9-to-5, five-days-a-week structure? Not so much. Creativity doesn’t punch a time clock, and sometimes the best ideas come when we’re not at our desks.

The four-day workweek gives creatives the freedom to breathe, explore, and recharge. With that extra day off, we’re more likely to stumble upon the next big idea while hiking a trail, binge-watching an artfully designed show, or even doodling in a coffee shop. Those “Eureka!” moments don’t follow a schedule, but they’re more likely to appear when our minds are rested and our stress levels are low.

The Small Studio Way: Fridays Are For Freedom

At a small studio, we’ve taken the four-day workweek and sprinkled in our own brand of magic. Fridays? They’re not for work. Instead, they’re for planning, playing, and decompressing. It’s the day we give ourselves permission to step away from the grind and lean into whatever makes us feel alive. Want to jam on a personal project? Go for it. Feel like heading to a museum or catching up on the latest design trends? That’s encouraged. Need to just...do nothing? Absolutely valid.

This freedom fuels our creativity and keeps burnout at bay.

By the time Monday rolls around, we’re not dragging our feet back to our desks. We’re excited to dive into new projects, refreshed and recharged from a weekend that feels just a bit longer and a lot more fulfilling.

What the Future Holds

As more companies around the globe embrace the four-day workweek, it’s clear that this isn’t just a passing trend. It’s a shift in how we think about work, productivity, and, most importantly, well-being. The data doesn’t lie: happier, healthier employees produce better work. And for creatives, the benefits are even more pronounced.

So, if you’re in the position to advocate for a four-day workweek, do it. Your team will thank you, your clients will notice the difference, and you’ll likely find yourself wondering why we didn’t make this shift sooner.

Remember, four is enough. It’s not about working less; it’s about working smarter and living better. And who wouldn’t want that?

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✌🏿.

We believe that saying "No" is more than just a word—it's a thoughtfully designed expression that shapes the quality of our work and defines our essence. It's a complete sentence that allows us to remain true to our values, creativity, and commitment to excellence. This isn't about being selective for the sake of it; it's about honoring the integrity of our craft and the people who make it possible. Here are a few reasons why we have said "No" over the years.

Vibes Matter

The creative process is deeply personal. It's an alchemy of ideas, emotions, and collaborative energy. At the core of this process is a fundamental truth: creativity flourishes in an environment where trust, respect, and shared vision thrive. That's why we fiercely protect the vibes we cultivate at a small studio. If a potential partner or collaborator doesn't align with our values, if they don't share our passion for creativity, we do not force it, we say "No"—plain and simple.

The right vibes are non-negotiable. We're not just here to deliver design solutions but to create something extraordinary. If a client doesn't appreciate the depth and value of creative work, it's a clear signal that we're not the right fit for each other. Our work is an extension of who we are and an extensive understanding of who our partners are, too, so we refuse to compromise when there's inauthenticity.

Time is an Investment

Time is the most precious resource we all have, and we believe in investing it wisely. Collaboration isn't a one-way street; it requires dedication, communication, and a willingness to engage deeply with the creative process. When potential partners are unwilling to commit the necessary time to collaborate meaningfully, we know it's time to have a conversation (meaningfully).

Our projects aren't just transactions; they're transformational partnerships.

We thrive when our partners are as invested in the process as we are. It's not just about the final product but the journey we take together to reach it. If that journey isn't valued, the work will inevitably fall short of its potential, and that's something we simply won't accept.

Respect is Essential

We operate on a foundation of mutual respect. Every member of our team brings their unique gifts, perspectives, and passion to the table. Creativity can only flourish in an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This is why we have zero tolerance for rudeness or impoliteness.

We've turned down projects with lucrative budgets because the clients didn't respect the people doing the work. For us, no amount of money is worth compromising the dignity and well-being of our team. When we say "No" to disrespectful clients, we're not just protecting our team; we're setting a standard for the kind of relationships we want to build—ones based on trust, empathy, and mutual appreciation.

Beyond the Paycheck

The allure of a hefty paycheck is undeniable, but we look beyond the numbers. We choose to partner with people who share our vision for creating work that matters. We're in this for more than just the money; we're here to make an impact, to push the boundaries of what design can do, and to work on projects that challenge us to be better.

Saying "No" to projects that don't align with our values isn't always easy, but it's essential. It's how we maintain the integrity of our work and ensure that every project we take on is one we're proud to stand behind. When we choose to partner with someone, it's because we believe in their vision and see the potential for something extraordinary.

We're not just vendors; we're partners, and that's a role we take seriously.

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Excellence is Our Standard

Excellence isn't just a goal; it's our standard. We hold ourselves to a high bar, and we expect the same from our partners. If a project doesn't have the potential to meet that standard, we'd rather not take it on. We're not in the business of doing work that's merely good enough—we're here to create work that's exceptional, work that stands the test of time.

This commitment to excellence is why we're so selective with our partners. We know that not every client or project will be the right fit, and that's okay. We'd rather say "No" and maintain our standards than compromise on the quality of our work. Our clients trust us to deliver the best, and we honor that trust by only taking on work that we believe in wholeheartedly.

In a world where "Yes" is often overused, we've found our strength in saying "No." It's powerful by design, and it is a statement that rings true to who we are-a promise to ourselves and our clients that we will never compromise on what matters most.

If you want to partner with us, know that we value more than just the work—we value the relationship. We're here to create something that brings you peace, and we stay true to it.

If the vibes are right, if you're ready to invest the time, and if you respect the creative process, we're all in. If not, we'll say "No," and we'll mean it. Because for us,‍

"No" is just as powerful as "Yes"—it's how we stay true to who we are.

Watch our Mantra to know us, even better;

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My favorite way of introducing myself when presenting to a room full of creatives has always been and still is: Hi, my name is Seyi, and I love boredom. Creative people have restless minds, so we loathe the mention or thought of feeling bored. To many, it is an indication of an inactive imagination. A waste of time and the gift of making.

I respectfully disagree with the sentiment of avoiding boredom by all means, which is the preference of most creatives. The majority of us have such an active imagination, and if I were to draw a visual comparison, we exist like a person trapped in a skyscraper on fire. There is so much chaos, apprehension, and anxiety about the next move.

A much better comparison and summation comes from ancient Buddhist monks who define this state of existence as Kapacitta (The monkey mind),

`Just as a monkey swinging through the trees grabs one branch and lets it go only to seize another, so too, that which is called thought, mind or consciousness arises and disappears continually both day and night.'

If we observe our state of being (our minds), there are so many similarities between the branch-swinging and our consciousness to avoid being present.

The lockdown of 2020 was one of the most apparent moments in time when the power of boredom was harnessed and deployed by many. Innovation was through the roof, as many more people got to sit in with their consciousness for the first time. They had the rare opportunity to quiet their monkey minds and stop the tree-branch-swinging that robbed them of deliberate and extensive design/expression.

Before the pandemic of 2020, I had my fair share of understanding the power of boredom. I had a cumulative four-hour commute to and from the office every day. Same cityscape, same faces (somewhat), same endless routine. It was the kind of monotony that could drive anyone to mindlessly scroll through social media, but I decided to do something different. Instead of fighting the boredom, I leaned into it. What if this boredom could be the springboard of my creativity?

At first, it was just an experiment. With only my mobile phone and an open mind, I began teaching myself to create illustrations and animations on my phone. The first few weeks were tough—clumsy attempts to make something out of nothing. But as I sat through those long, seemingly endless hours, something started to shift. I realized that the stillness, the very thing that I initially resisted, was exactly what I needed to let my imagination roam free.

What began as a way to pass the time soon became a ritual. The more I created, the more I found myself craving those quiet moments. I wasn't just filling the hours; I was transforming them. Piece by piece, I built a body of work—over a thousand illustrations and animations—each one a little milestone on this unexpected journey. Each one capturing the news, moments observed, or conversations had.

I didn't censor myself or overthink the process. I just created and shared with vulnerability. To my surprise, people noticed and were inspired, too. I even got the invitation to be a part of a Pixite documentary for creators. My body of work even got shortlisted in the illustration category at the prestigious Communication Arts awards. That recognition was incredible (for someone who isn't a designer), but what mattered more was what I learned about myself through the process.

The truth is, boredom became my greatest ally. In a world that pushes us to constantly move and always seek the next big thing, I discovered immense power in sitting still. In those hours of quiet, I found clarity and creativity that I never knew I had.

So, to any fellow creative reading this, I urge you to embrace boredom. Let yourself sit with it. Resist the urge to fill every empty moment with distractions. You might just find that those moments of stillness are where your best ideas will come to life. I did, and it's been one of the most rewarding creative journey I've ever experienced.

Here's one compilation of illustrations and animations all made on my mobile phone, all thanks to boredom:

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If you made it this far, you are a really curious one. So I have got this Ted Talk by Manoush Zomorodi to give you all of the science & experience backed bits:

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Let’s talk relatable experiences. Do you ever catch yourself at a restaurant, more focused on critiquing the menu’s layout than on picking what to eat? Do you ever make it everyone else’s problem that the kerning is just a little too tight? That the images are printed way too pixelated?

Just me?

Well, as the 2024 Paris Olympics come to a close and the Paralympics take center stage, it’s time to debrief. I actually had the unique opportunity to experience the Paris Games in person this year! On a whim last summer, I decided to see if I could score tickets, and it turned out to be easier than I thought. Fast forward to last week, and there I was, a full-time brand designer, immersed in one of the biggest stages of world-class event design. You’d better believe I had some thoughts.

In the spirit of the Games, let’s hand out some medals, breaking down the design elements that truly shined and those that didn’t quite stick the landing.

Gold Medal: The Pictograms

To me, these were an absolute success. The clean, minimalist design of the pictograms perfectly balanced functionality with visual appeal. They weren’t just easy to understand—they animated beautifully, they were reminiscent of french art deco, and felt collectable. Above all else, they were completely fresh and unique. Each icon felt like a poster of the sport it represented, making them accessible for everyone, regardless of language or background. They weren’t just signs—they were symbols of the inclusivity the Olympics strive to represent.

You might have noticed that the pictograms seemed a bit different this year. There was quite literally a lack of human representation, and that’s what I loved about them. According to Joachim Roncin, the event’s Head of Design, this intentional choice to depart from the human-modeled pictograms removes all gender biases from the sports. To put it frankly, the pictograms of previous Olympics can skew masculine depending on the viewer. I genuinely believe that by taking a completely new route with these pictograms, the standard of Olympic visual communication has been blown wide open.

What I love most about these pictograms, as a more personal preference, is the motion, energy, and intentionality of the layout. To me, these sports being depicted look like they’re being played. The courts, balls, horses, skateboards, etc., are in motion, and these pictograms are a snapshot of what it feels like to be in the audience. Absolutely brilliant!!

Learn more ->

0’s Across the Board: The Olympics Merchandise

On the flip side, the official merch was a huge letdown. Designers and creatives know how important it is for products to evoke excitement and pride, but the offerings this year felt uninspired and lacking. I was really excited at the idea of bringing home a simple jacket that I could take with me to any Olympics watch party in the future, but sadly there was nothing really like that. There were lots of t-shirts with just this year’s logo printed on it, but that just felt so lame and a missed opportunity to create something fresh with this year’s branding. It was a harsh reminder that even the smallest details in branding can have a significant impact on the overall experience.

I will say, one of the coolest merch items was a deck of playing card that had the 2024 branding. It had custom artwork for the face cards which made it feel like a special item, and I just wish they had more items like that overall.

Olympics Merchandise->

Silver Medal: The Logo

The Paris 2024 logo had its fair share of critics, but I found it to be a standout piece of branding. It was bold, distinct, and carried a modern elegance that perfectly represented Paris. The flame intertwined with the face of Marianne was a brilliant nod to both the host city and the spirit of the Games. It struck a balance between being visually compelling and functional—scalable across different mediums without losing its impact.

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The logo was extremely prevalent throughout the city, showing up on signage and public transport everywhere. By the end of my week in Paris I was extremely familiarized with it. She even became a mark of safety for me; whenever I saw the logo I knew I was headed in the right direction. I also thought it was special that the Olympics and the Paralympics both used this same icon and overall branding this year, maintaining the same amount of hype and respect for all games.

Take a look at this interview by The Creative Factor of Logo designer “Sylvain Boyer: How I Designed the Paris Olympic Logo” for an in-depth read of the creation of this year’s logo!

MVP: The Typeface

The custom typeface was an unsung hero of this year’s branding. It was clean, versatile, and perfectly captured the essence of the event. Whether on tickets, signage, or digital platforms, the typeface was clear and consistent, adding a layer of sophistication to the visual identity. The Olympic energy is definitely felt in the curvatures of the letterforms, and I’m a huge fan of it! It’s a prime example of how typography, when done right, can elevate a brand’s entire aesthetic.

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Bronze Medal: The Mascot

Let’s talk about the mascot—love it or hate it, it definitely made an impression. The Phryge, inspired by the iconic Phrygian cap, was cute, fun, and very French. It definitely brought a sense of playfulness to the Games, which is crucial for engaging younger audiences and adding a touch of character to the branding. However, I do recall being a big hater of Phryge when I first saw it. I initially thought the design felt disconnected from the event’s entire branding, but after some research into years previous it honestly made me like it a lot more.

The animated treatments and motion graphics that were displayed at the events elevated this part of the branding as well! Phryge had a playful personality and it was so adorable watching it demonstrate how each game is meant to be played. The fluid transitions and vibrant color palette made the digital experience feel alive and immersive. Motion design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating an experience, and I think it really payed off.

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Special Shoutout to: The Wayfinding

Finally, let’s talk about wayfinding. The signage throughout the venues was clear and concise, which is no small feat given the scale of the event. It’s easy to overlook, but effective wayfinding is essential for a seamless visitor experience, making sure everyone can navigate the venues easily, even if they don’t speak french/english.

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The Olympics always stir up strong opinions—every four years, there’s a lot to love and plenty to critique. This year’s branding took some bold risks, stepping away from traditional expectations to create something new for the world of the Olympics. But with risk comes the potential for missteps. Accessibility, functionality, visual appeal, and the ability to excite are all crucial elements of successful design, and the Paris 2024 Olympics gave us a lot to discuss.

So, what’s your take? How would you rank the design elements of this year’s Games? Were you blown away, or did it leave you wanting more? 🍵

Learn More on the Olympics->

In Spring of 2023, I was in my last semester at University meticulously deciding what projects should go in my portfolio. It felt like a career make-or-break decision. If I put my projects in the wrong order, I wouldn’t get a job. If I had too many different types of design work, I wouldn’t get a job. If I didn’t have the perfect personal branding, I wouldn’t get a job. I’m sure there are a ton of recent design graduates out there who are still on the job hunt with that same mentality. So let me hold your hand when I tell you– none of those things are true.

What I have found true throughout several portfolio reviews, interviews, and conversations with more experienced designers is that portfolio reviewers want to see how you play. They might even want to see it more than your work. That’s not to say your work isn’t important–it is. The quality and creativity of your work are likely what will get you an interview, but what sets you apart is what you choose to create outside of your job or classroom. I’ve had several portfolio reviewers tell me as much. It was reaffirmed again last Summer when I had the chance to participate in a Designers are Scary Panel. One of the first things that popped up in our conversation regarding what sets candidates apart was the ability to see their personalities shine through in their portfolios. One of the easiest ways to do this is by answering one simple question.

What would you choose to create if you were unburdened by the restrictions of a class assignment or the endless requirements of a client project?

Most of us have a “Playground” or “Archive” section to dump the work we’re not sure what to do with. Most of the time it could more aptly be titled “The Graveyard.” Don’t let that opportunity go to waste. It’s a chance to show your interests, the mediums you’re fascinated by, and the topics you obsess over. That will say more about what you’re passionate about than the app design you were required to make in six weeks. So, why am I even going on about all of this?

After a year of being at a small studio and shifting towards motion design, I’ve finally decided it’s time to show off some of these amazing projects I’ve had the chance to work on and add them to my portfolio. While I have a ton of beautiful work for our studio clients, I’ve regretfully realized that I don’t have many new design-related projects to add to the “play” section of my portfolio. I say design-related because in truth, If I were to fill up my playground wit h “just for fun” work from the last year, one would think I was a photographer, not a designer. Even as I write this, I realize perhaps my portfolio should reflect that inclination toward photography in the last year. It’s been a needed escape from the world of screens and pixels. It’s one of the few artistic mediums that gets you into the world. I digress– that’s a Ding for another time.

Back to the point.

I wish I had spent more time this year recharging through other types of fun projects. I haven’t given myself the freedom and permission to play. That may be in part because so much of the work we do here at the studio does feel like play. We’re often given a sandbox to run amok in even within the confines of client projects. Yet, It’s human nature to want to explore the sandbox next to you even if you’re already in one.

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In the pursuit of success, so many of us have forgotten what made us want to enter this industry in the first place.

I’m encouraging everyone to carve out the time to play for yourself and only yourself. Be creative in the ways you have fun. For a long time, I used the excuse of not having time to learn new skills and have fun with them. That’s not true at all. I was being too rigid in my idea of what play can look like. For example, I’ve been wanting to learn more 3D for a while now but it can be a time-consuming and intimidating medium. So, for this week’s Ding visuals, I incorporated some play just for myself into my work. I took the opportunity to start learning Spline, one of the less time-intense and user-friendly 3D programs.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how you get there. Designers tend to be purists. We think the creative process has to go a specific way; steps one through four have to come first in the branding process; we can’t start working until we have every single asset. That’s a rather limiting way to approach work as a group of self-proclaimed creatives. We can do better.

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I’m challenging myself and everyone reading this to do better during the rest of 2024. So have fun, and go play!

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What is craft? Is it a noun or a verb? How does it fit in with art and design? I've been thinking about it a lot, and here's what I found.

Miriam Webster defines craft as to make or produce with care, skill or ingenuity.

Britannica makes the important distinction that crafting by definition is an activity that involves making something in a skillful way by using your hands.

In 2018, American Craft magazine published an article by Joyce Lovelace titled Craft Seriously. What does the word mean?

Joyce reached out to designers, thinkers and leaders from different fields and found a few key themes that emerged;

Craft is universal.

Craft is a discipline.

Craft is action.

Craft is heritage.

Craft is all around us.

Craft is complicated, and Craft is profound.

A line that stuck out to me is craft is an earned skill in the service of creativity.
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A way of doing things exceptionally well through study, practice, and dedication. It makes me think of my art practice and the time I've dedicated to getting better at every step of the process.

When I'm not designing at a small studio, I create fiber art and textiles under the name Fun Aunt. Tufting is a medium I picked up in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. The process is so intensely physical that it feels like the complete opposite of my day job as a digital designer for a while.

I felt that Tufting was the only way for me to really practice my craft. But if we think about the pillars of study, practice and dedication. Craft, most definitely applies to my design work. I studied graphic design in school. I work at it every day and I've dedicated my career to it.

The first time I ever heard someone reference digital craft was when I joined a small studio. But what does that even entail?

You've heard the phrase pixel perfect things like naming and organizing your layers and groups, utilizing grids in your designs, building design systems that think through different use cases, and thinking about higher designs will be applied across different sizes and scales. These are details that can make all the difference in your digital craft. Thinking through higher design will be applied to different sizes, how it'll print, how it works in black and white as well as color.
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For me craft is synonymous with care, to create something with your hands, whether it's with yarn or a computer mouse means putting a little bit of yourself into it.

I was recently asked to speak to a group of graduate design students as they started their capstone project. As I prepared for the talk, I wanted to ensure that I shared something with them that they couldn't just Google or ask their nearest AI tool to explain. I was committed to giving them something that would hopefully empower them on their journey into the workforce. The only words that came to mind were "Design is a commodity." Let me explain.

If you are in a creative profession, odds are you have been laid off, close to being, or know someone who has been laid off in the past 6 months. Every day, you hear about the looming threat of Apple Intelligence, excuse me, Artificial Intelligence. Will I have a job tomorrow? Will my business survive? Oh! my absolute favorite, the ads that read "Unlimited ______ design for $50 a month!" Seriously, I see one of these a week and it makes me nauseous. We can all agree that the marketplace is going through a renaissance of sorts, and creativity is taking a hit. It reminds me of when I was approaching getting my degree in Architecture two years after the housing crisis in 2008. I was in no rush to enter the workforce.

I can go on about the current state of our economy, but that is not my expertise. My expertise is design. A skill that I believe is becoming more and more commoditized, every single day. Why? Well, the definition of commodity is a useful or valuable thing that can be bought or sold.

Everyone thinks they are a designer. If we are being honest, all you have to do today these days is just to write designer on your LinkedIn profile, and voila! You are a designer. No prerequisites need to be met, no certifications, just a pretty picture or, even worse, a nicely trained AI tool.

Let's go back to simple economics here: If there is a surplus of anything, the value decreases. This is my only explanation for why I keep seeing those ridiculous ads! We are not too far off from designers being the next BOGOF(Buy One Get One Free) sale at your local grocery store. OK, OK, I digress.

The hopeful message I brought to this group of students was that; design may be becoming a commodity, but your identity will never. The unique composition of experiences and attributes that make you one of none. There is no one in the world like you, and no other designer sees the world the same as you.

The hard part is doing the necessary work to realize why and how you are unique. How can you look at this design problem or project in a way no one else can? This takes work. However, this is the work that empowers your gifts and ultimately brings peace to yourself, those you design with, and those you design for.

It took me 5 years to realize what we do at a small studio that no other design agency can claim, Identity Architecture. This is why we won't just do it; we will not become a commodity and be compared to the $50 a month designs. I was also able to further our purpose by defining an infinite mission statement; limitless or endless in space, extent, or size; impossible to measure or calculate, rather than finite; having limits or bounds. "Empowering creative leaders to use their gifts to bring peace." This focus and purpose has made the work we do at a small studio every single day much much more than just design.

In the end I encouraged the students to answer one question to help them avoid becoming lost in this void of sameness.

What is your purpose for designing right now?

‍ Honestly, answer this questions for yourself. Then, decide if it is finite or infinite? Lastly, what are the odds (0-100%) that someone else in your class, your team, your community wrote a similar purpose?

Simply put, the higher the odds, the more of a commodity.

Don't become a commodity, the world needs you.

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👋🏻, I’m Jake!

For everyone out there who doesn’t know me, I’m a brand designer at a small studio. I’ve been a part of this talented team since 2022. Typically I wouldn’t consider myself an avid writer, but this week I’m hijacking our Ding! newsletter! I’ve got a burning question on my mind for our audience…

When I listen to music, I can taste it. Literally.

My question for you all: Am I alone in this?

Song: Clara La San - Let You Go (Jude Bradshaw Trance Edit)

Tastes Like: Soda or Sprite, like the electronic kind from McDonalds

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At a small studio, music holds a powerful position amidst our workflow. Every meeting we have starts with a tune. Every weekly vibe check, we dedicate one song to set the energy of our collective. Honestly, part of the reason I was DYING to work at a small studio during my hiring process was because I knew the team listened to Kruanghbin. Music holds an extremely important place in my life, and it’s crazy how well that extends to my workspace.

So, back to this tasting thing.

Ever since I was a kid, I could feel the music. “E.T.” by Katy Perry. “Meet Me Halfway” by The Black Eyed Peas. “Love You Like A Love Song” by Selena Gomez? All bangers. I had these blasting on my DSi held directly up to my ear any moment of free time I had. Music was like an obsession for me. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I started understanding WHY my obsession was so palpable. My taste buds were clearly tingling; I’d start to salivate. The songs I didn’t particularly like even made me nauseous. I could TASTE my music. Some of it was like candy, some of it was like fruit, some of it was, unfortunately, like oatmeal. The irony of it was, I wasn’t much of an eater.

Song: B2 Space Meow Doll - San San (Davis Galvin Baby Tears remix)

Tastes like: Cherry candy, like Twizzlers or a Gusher

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Turns out, this is actually a thing. According to the American Psychological Association, Synesthesia is a condition where stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. It is estimated to affect 4% of the population, with some types being more common than others. It’s a neurological mis-interpretation. Mine happens to be Auditory-Gustitory Synesthesia, which is a Hearing-to-Taste mix-up. According to Scientific American, there are actually over 60 reported types of synesthesia. The most common types being grapheme-color synesthesia (where letters and numbers are perceived as inherently colored) and chromesthesia (where sounds involuntarily evoke an experience of color).

These moments of synesthetic flavor were massively inspiring to me as a creative, too. Some of my wildest illustrative ideas came to me as I’d have a particularly delicious track on repeat for hours on end. I attribute this intense desire to create as my direct pathway into the design world. It followed me to college, where I got much more experimental with the genres of music that would make my taste buds light up. I was typically hogging the aux in studio classes.

Song: Super Monkey Ball Soundtrack - Master

Tastes Like: Snow, or crushed ice

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To this day, I blast music while I work and it nourishes me. I read that a lot of people who experience synesthesia enter the arts for very similar reasons. The New York Times has reported that many famous creatives, such as Vladimir Nabokov, Wassily Kandinsky, and Pharrell Williams, have reported experiencing synesthesia. That’s why I always wonder how many other people are out there who have experiences like me. If synesthesia is something you experience, I would LOVE to hear your story. Shoot me an email at jake@asmallstudio.com!

While I’m here, I wanted to share a couple tracks with all of the readers who might be interested in some of my current favorite tasting tracks! Every song I listen to has it’s own taste, but these ones are particularly palpable for me. I’ve been compiling them for a future blog project, but I think now is a great time to deploy a handful of about 10 or so to help showcase what really gets me lit up these days! Sprinkled in this article are a couple of legendary tastes for me, as well.

Thank you all so much for reading! Cheers!

Jake

I can confidently say writing an article on the importance of icebreakers was not on my 2024 bingo card. Why would it be? Icebreakers are whack. Nine times out of ten times, they’re an unexceptional combination of two truths and a lie, what’s your favorite ____, or defaulting to the three facts we all keep in store for ice-breaking occasions. We do them begrudgingly because they’re part of the introductory phase, but here at the studio icebreakers aren’t done at the beginning of a linear “getting to know the team” process.

Our icebreakers are done once every three months at the beginning of our quarterly all-team meetings. They’re the fluffy whipped cream on top of our ice cream Sundae before we spend the next five hours digging in with our heads down, reflecting, and setting goals for the next quarter. Except, beneath the fluff, our icebreakers are a startlingly deep reflection of how well we know ourselves and the teammates around us.

Our icebreakers don’t thaw the frost at the surface, they chip away at our glaciers of identity.

The game we play is a simple who’s who (or who’s what). The creator describes each team member in some capacity without revealing their name. Then we all vote on who we think is who and at the end, the creator reveals the truth. There’s not much to it. Yet, it somehow manages to be one of the biggest all-team highlights without fail.

I had the pleasure of running the icebreaker show this past all-team. As I am a girlie of the fantasy-loving variety, I chose to have my team guess which Game of Thrones Characters they were. One of the joys of this icebreaker is that not everyone needs to know who or what the person is they’re being compared to. It’s the creator’s job to give an oral or written description of the “characters” for everyone to go off of. This is where the team knowledge really shines through. Here’s a short run-down on the results this time around:

• Oberyn Martell a.k.a Jake: Passionate about life, makes the most difficult things look easy, and thrives in chaos.
• Varys a.k.a Seyi: Has a hand in every pot, has a calm stead-fast demeanor, and a true dedication to the people above all else.
• Margaery Tyrell a.k.a Sarah: Settling every issue with creativity, unafraid to make bold moves, and skilled in endless areas.
• Ned Stark a.k.a John: Has an unshakable moral compass, deeply values relationships, puts honor above glory.
• Arya Stark a.k.a Ella: Fiercely independent, aspires to forge new paths, loves getting their hands dirty now and then.

It’s a simple game of great versatility and repeatability. You might notice some patterns happening based on how long everyone’s known each other. If you play it too early, it’s difficult. You don’t know everyone well enough. If you play is after a few months, it’s easy. You can call upon the surface-level characteristics we see come to light in people daily. If you play it once you’ve spent a year or several years getting to know your team, it’s hard again but even more fun. The more you understand people, the greater your ability to reference the nuanced parts of their character.

This icebreaker challenges us to reflect on the characteristics we associate and (hopefully) admire about those we work with. It compels us to reflect on our own traits and how they differ from everyone else.

It asks us how well we listen to each other and how deeply we see each other.

In a six-person team, knowing matters. It should always matter regardless of team size if you want to work authentically with creatives. Get to know us. We’re sensitive. It’ll empower everyone involved– I promise.

If you feel like getting deep with your team any time soon, this method comes highly recommended from the studio. Check out some of the icebreaker topics we’ve used in the past if you need some inspiration 🧊.

• Game of Thrones Characters
• Famous TV and Movie Villains
• Dungeons and Dragons Characters
• Famous Art Pieces
• Types of House Plants
• Interior Design Trends
• Famous Phrases

We won’t Just do it!

That’s our frame of mind,

and we stand by it in today’s

design world of sameness.

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We love design.

We know design.

We care, so…

we won't Just do it!

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If you won't share your mind,

heart, and the struggles

that make you one that's none.

We won't Just do it!

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We need your vibe to build your tribe.

Time is a precious gift,

why waste yours and ours?

We won't Just do it!

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The times have changed and so have we.

It takes a mind well-known and mined,

to design in lines that speak in kind.

We won't Just do it!

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To know you, the real you,

is the gift we wish to show the world.

We are small, but

We won't Just do it!

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A timely message from us to the industry.

Made and shared with ❤️

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If you don't want to just do it! Here's a Personal Identity Architecture workshop we designed to Introduce you to yourself.

When Mark Zuckerberg coined "Move fast and break things" as Facebook's (Now Meta) early motto for informing internal design processes and product management, he encapsulated a bold, aggressive Silicon Valley mindset.

Over the years, this mentality has fuelled countless startups within and outside tech, encouraging them to innovate rapidly, prioritize speed over caution, and disrupt the status quo. But as we reflect on how commoditized, failure-prone and unethical many players have become, it's worth asking: Is this really the best approach?

A quick comparison that we can use to challenge this mindset is the "Second Mouse" strategy. Many of us are familiar with the phrase, "The early bird gets the worm..." We have been taught this all our lives and recite it to ourselves to elicit a sense of urgency in everything we do. But how many people know that the entire expression is:

"The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."

Understood in its entirety, the approach is a strategic one of waiting, watching, and learning from the mistakes of first movers, which can lead to more intentional and sustainable innovation.

Apple has mastered the "Second Mouse" strategy, and no other organization epitomizes this level of intentionality in comparison. Apple often lets others take the initial leap, allowing them to move fast and break things all over the place. It deliberately refines and perfects the concept, ultimately delivering a superior, customer-centric, and authentic product.

Let's dwell on this for a little longer to paint a vivid picture; consider the smartphone market. Apple wasn't the first to release a smartphone, but when the iPhone debuted, it revolutionized the industry with its user-friendly design and robust ecosystem. The same can be said for the Apple Watch, which entered a crowded market of wearables and swiftly became a category leader through thoughtful innovation and seamless integration with Apple's other products. And most recently, Artificial Intelligence. The entire tech and media industry kept going on and on about Apple being late in the Artificial Intelligence race and that they had lost their touch. Apple then did what they do with a clarity of identity again by launching Apple Intelligence, which contributed $215 billion to its market capitalization in a single day, a remarkable feat.

They constantly observe the market, identify flaws in the initial rush of others, and then innovate in a way that aligns with their brand's authenticity and the actual needs of the audience to be served.

The myth that moving fast and breaking things will always lead to success is debunked by the high failure rate of startups. Many rush into the market with half-baked ideas, neglecting thorough clutter research, user feedback, and iterative improvement. The fallout is often wasted resources and failed ventures. And we would not contribute to a mindset that does not serve for the long term.

Looking at how things constantly play out in today's world of creative sameness, our intention at a small studio isn't to move fast and break things indiscriminately. Instead, we move fast intentionally, breaking things for good by leveraging thorough due diligence to clarify our partners' identities. We ensure that anyone we partner with has to do the work needed to move forward with authenticity. We prioritize reflecting before projecting and only work with founders and business leaders who see its value.
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Our creative operating system, Identity Architecture, which we pioneered in the design space, nudges our partners to embrace the "Second Mouse" strategy personally and professionally.

Working together, we question the trends, understand the clutter, observe early adopters' successes and failures, and then craft identities and solutions that are both innovative and authentically aligned. This meticulous approach ensures that our work isn't just fast, but sustainable, and impactful.

We know it is tempting to rush forward and break things in pursuit of innovation in today's fast-paced world. However, there is a credible case for the importance of intentional patience, observation, and thoughtful action.

So, the next time you feel the urge to dive headfirst into a new venture, consider the wisdom of the second mouse or seek out a partner like us who empowers you with a creative operating system to pause and reflect intentionally, to then project with authenticity.

"Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,"

When I was 17, I decided I wanted to be an architect. I think we can all empathize with how special a moment like this can be for a teenager. After 12 years of school, I finally knew what I wanted to be when I grew up and I was excited to tell anyone that cared to listen!

Unfortunately, this proud memory shares space with an unfortunate memory of ignorance. Imagine me at 17 with a big smile on my face as I tell you that I am going to be an architect. Now imagine that your response was, "Why would you want to do that? There are no black architects. You won't make it." This, along with countless similar responses, came mostly from people who looked like me and a few who did not.

Actually, they couldn't have been more ignorant. It wasn't their fault that they didn't know their history. That one of the first black architects in the country operated right in downtown Cleveland. Most of us didn't know this. I didn’t know this. Regardless, as a teenager hearing those words, I couldn't help but feel discouraged and incapable. "Was I an idiot for pursuing such a dream?" I'd consistently ask myself this very question.

My response has always been the same throughout my life: "Maybe, but why not?"

This simple question has been a staple for me and can be tied back to every moment I've experienced success. I've never let ignorance, my own or others, stop me from pursuing something I felt called to do. From getting my master's degree in architecture at Kent State University to proposing to my wife and mother of my children, I would not be the man I am today if I had listened to ignorance. Instead, I've used my personal, familial, and cultural history to empower my approach to decision-making in an age of ignorance.

"Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.”

One of the main reasons I decided to move back to Cleveland after 10 years was in response to that ignorance I experienced at 17. I wanted to make sure that ignorance was no longer an excuse. It would be impossible to speak those words that I heard because they would know their history. For instance, as soon as I moved back, my mentor, Justin Hilton, introduced me to his mentor, Robert P Madison. If you don't know, Robert P Madison was the first black architect in Ohio, and 70 years later, Robert P Madison International is the only black female-led architecture firm in Ohio. They have also designed some of the most iconic pieces of architecture in Cleveland.

Stories like Robert Madison's need to be shared more because these stories can and have empowered many generations of black architects to pursue their dreams because someone paved the way ahead of them. My mentor and I both graduated as the only black person in our class. Robert P Madison empowers us to accomplish such a thing.

Juneteenth represents the day 'every' enslaved African American was liberated in the United States of America. I use it as an opportunity to remember those who came before me, like Robert Madison, to liberate every aspect of who I am so that I can live fully as I am. What a privilege that is. I will never take that privilege for granted and I encourage all of you to do the same.

For each of you, the history of liberation may look a little different; however, if each of you takes a moment to think of one person who paved your way for liberation, you may have a more relevant and personal understanding of this holiday.

You may also realize that we can do nothing on our own. Everything we create today is a product of many yesterdays.

“Facing a rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.”

a small studio celebrates Juneteenth, not only as a black-owned creative studio but also as a studio built on the sacrifices of those who came before us. A responsibility we do not take lightly and will never use our privilege for selfish gain. This is why our mission stands the test of time as we continue to empower creative leaders to use their gifts to bring peace.

I leave you with the words of James Weldon Johnson, who used his gifts to bring peace in many ways. Let the Black National Anthem vibrate through your soul today as you celebrate liberation.

‍Lift Every Voice and Sing- James Weldon Johnson

Lift every voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered.
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who hast by Thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.

Late one night, procrastinating on a school project, doom-scrolling Instagram, a small studio’s summer internship popped up. I did some sleuthing on the studio’s ethos, but what attracted me most was honestly these newsletters. These captured the studio's energy in a way no amount of social media stalking or project analyzing could have, and I was sold. I decided I needed to apply, a moment of synchronicity of stumbling upon this opportunity and sensing it would somehow fit.

What set a small studio apart from all other jobs I’ve applied to thus far, was my immediate decision to let myself play. Perhaps because it was midnight and I was loopy, or I was inspired by the studio’s casual tone, but I wrote more of a stream of consciousness than a cover letter, and upon submitting, I texted a friend saying I just turned in the most unhinged cover letter I’ve written to date. But I had fun. I was strangely relaxed doing it, not a word I tend to equate with stressing about finding a summer job.

Right when enough time had passed that I thought it was safe to assume nothing would come of it, I got the congratulatory email that I would be moving on to the next step.

But wait–next step? Not just an interview?!

The panic set in as I read over the questions they wanted me to answer in a short video. At the same time, I had a wave of creative confidence that this might just be what I needed to shine, and that same feeling of let’s play returned. The stakes were slightly higher, but I was filled with ideas. The studio had thrown the ball back in my court; it was up to me to run with it.

I stopped trying to guess what a small studio wanted to see and hear. Instead, I leaned into what I would enjoy making for them.

When a small studio asked applicants these video questions, they gave us the upper hand to play to our strengths, challenging us to think critically about what we have to offer and how our strengths would mesh with theirs.

I will admit I found this four-step process frustrating at times. Especially when the third step, a social content charette, happened to coincide with my finals week. I wasn’t sure I would have time to make another assignment for a job I didn’t even have.

However, I was inspired throughout a small studio’s process because it was personal to them, as opposed to other applications where my task has typically been to write 750 words about why I want the position (I imagine this is just as boring to read as it is to write). So, while I sometimes wanted to tap out of a small studio’s process, I powered through.

The intensity of it all showed me I did care about the position. I was willing to put in the extra time and push myself to think in a whole new way–eager to put myself in a small studio’s shoes before committing to the position. This empowered me as a creative to get a taste of the agency and establish if I believed in them as much as they would need to believe in me. Spoiler alert: I got the job!

Since I started last week, the idea that has echoed around the studio is the power of being an anomaly. a small studio is an anomaly in a sea of agencies that undervalue creatives. Their sometimes scary, sometimes draining, but mostly exciting interview process let me know I was applying for a job where a team of people truly cared. They’ve continued to show their commitment, supporting me to shine as an anomaly alongside them.

As Designers, we care about every little detail—typography, color, kerning, corner radius, aspect ratios, and so many other little things that make big, beautiful, and impactful designs exist in the world. Our obsession with all of these and clients who need to approve the work leave us wrestling with self-doubt and self-criticism consistently. However, something small that can go a long way in strategically altering our mindset to be more resilient and enhance our performance is the strategic application of affirmations.

Affirmations are often dismissed as mere positive thinking, but they are rooted in substantial scientific evidence. Several studies in Neuroscience reveal that self-affirmation activates the brain's reward centers, enhancing resilience and mitigating stress responses (research paper, for the nerds out there). This activation is crucial for maintaining composure and creativity under pressure (sadly, most creatives live on pressure-island). Individuals who practice self-affirmation show improved problem-solving abilities, particularly under stressful conditions. This means that affirmations can enhance cognitive flexibility and adaptability, both of which are needed for success in the dynamic design field.

Practicing affirmation as a designer can help with receiving and internalizing continuous feedback. It can shift the internal dialogue from self-criticism to constructive self-reflection.To harness the benefits of affirmations, they must be carefully integrated into your daily routines. Here are a few steps for effective implementation:

Identify Relevant Affirmations: Reflect on personal and professional strengths. Craft affirmations that align with your individual goals and the broader objectives of your projects. Examples:

• "I am a skilled designer, capable of innovative and impactful solutions." or you could go with "I am a Bad A** Designer, my work makes a difference."

Consistency is Key: Regular repetition of affirmations is crucial. Incorporate them into your daily routines, such as starting the day with a positive affirmation or reciting them before initiating a challenging project.

Leverage Visual Reminders: Place affirmations strategically to remind you of your strengths and goals. These could be on your desk, your MacBook wallpaper, your refrigerator ( if you snack a lot.lol), or even as notifications on your phone. Visual cues reinforce the positive messages and help maintain a constructive internal dialogue.

Let's be clear, incorporating affirmations is not about ignoring areas for improvement but about creating a balanced perspective.It's about acknowledging and celebrating successes, fostering a positive self-view, and nurturing potential. This balanced perspective is crucial for sustained creativity and innovation.

Affirmations are a powerful yet under-utilized tool in the designer's toolkit. By including affirmations in your toolkit, you will foster a more resilient and positive mindset, essential for thriving.

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Talk yourself up and witness the transformative impact on your perspective and performance.

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And if you are not sure you can be dedicated to getting affirmations done daily, here's another hack to set your mind going with confidence in the right direction, Music. Sarah has provided two that work wonders, so feel the vibe.

Happiness (not many are a fan of the word), but it does feel like the ultimate goal, the universal pursuit of us all. Whether conscious of it or not, we all chase this elusive emotion differently. But let's talk about a group of people who hacked the happiness code early on: Creatives.

As creatives, we are fortunate to have discovered our passion early in life. The joy we find in creating, designing, and innovating is unparalleled. Our art, our craft, has become a career that sustains us and nourishes our souls. It's akin to winning the happiness lottery. When a painter sees their vision come to life on canvas or a writer finds the perfect words to tell a story, it’s a profound satisfaction that transcends mere professional achievement. We don't just work for a pay check; we work because our craft brings a sense of purpose and fulfilment. The process itself, the brainstorming sessions, the bright-idea moments, the late nights spent perfecting the work, are inherently rewarding and provide us with a deep sense of satisfaction that many other professions might struggle to offer.

Despite being blessed with this fulfilling career, we are not immune to feeling jaded. The daily grind, client demands, and relentless pursuit of perfection can sometimes sap the joy out of the creative endeavors. Even the most passionate artist can hit a creative block, and the most enthusiastic designer can feel the sting of burnout. Our constant need to innovate and stay ahead of trends can turn the joy of creation into a stressful race against time. Moreover, the commercial aspects of creativity, such as dealing with 'interesting' clients, tight deadlines, and financial pressures, can erode the pure joy of creating. During these times, we need to redefine happiness and seek out new sources of joy. Taking breaks, seeking inspiration from new experiences, and reconnecting with the initial spark that led us to this craft.

Redefining happiness isn't about abandoning what we love but evolving with it. For us as creatives, this might mean exploring new mediums, collaborating with different minds, or simply taking a step back to breathe. Sometimes, stepping out of one's comfort zone and trying something entirely different can be incredibly refreshing. `New experiences can provide fresh perspectives and invigorate our primary creative pursuits. Also, collaboration with other creatives can open new avenues of inspiration and joy. As someone (I wish I knew) once wisely said, a change is as good as a rest. We can keep our passion alive and maintain happiness by continually evolving and seeking new challenges.

Happiness often lies in serving others. The act of helping someone else can bring a profound sense of fulfilment. Research shows that people who volunteer or help others experience greater levels of happiness. When creatives use their gifts to benefit others, they not only bring joy to those they help but also find a renewed sense of purpose and satisfaction in their work. For instance, as a designer using your skill to support a non-profit's campaign, you can find great joy in seeing their work make a positive impact. An illustrator creating art for a community project can feel deeply connected to the people being served. By focusing on how your creativity can serve others, you often find renewed purpose and a new kind of happiness.

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." – Mahatma Gandhi

Finding happiness is truly a journey, not a destination. The path often seems more apparent for creatives, but still fraught with unique challenges. By embracing new definitions of happiness and focusing on the joy of helping others, we can continue to thrive in our passions and live fulfilling lives. Remember, happiness isn't just about the grand achievements or the accolades. It's about the little moments, the acts of kindness, and the joy of creation.

So, keep creating, keep helping, and finding new ways to be happy.

Imagine walking through the streets of Ravenna (the city of mosaics), Italy. The buildings, plain and unassuming from the outside, hide a dazzling secret. Step inside, and you're greeted by the brilliance of mosaics – intricate, colorful designs composed of tiny tiles, each intentionally crafted to create a masterpiece. This ancient city, renowned for its stunning mosaic art, offers a powerful metaphor for Identity Architecture: our creative operating system for crafting a cohesive and authentic identity from small reflections and intentional actions.

Just as the mosaics of Ravenna are made up of countless individual pieces, a well-constructed identity is built from numerous small, deliberate choices and reflections. Each tile in a mosaic represents a thought, a value, or an experience, much like how each aspect of a brand's identity reflects the unique perspectives of its leaders, team, and stakeholders.

Mosaics are not only beautiful but also profoundly reflective works of art. They capture light, shimmer, and change as you move, revealing different aspects of their beauty from various angles. Similarly, an effective identity makes long-lasting visual and verbal statements. It is the result of looking inward to understand a brand's core values and unique characteristics. A process of introspection that allows the projection of an authentic narrative that resonates deeply.

Artists meticulously select and position each mosaic piece; nothing accidentally comes together. That's why they are stunning and endure for centuries. Through Identity Architecture, every decision about a brand- from the colors and fonts to the messaging and imagery- is deliberate and thoughtful, contributing to the brand's overall perception.

Like skilled artisans, we embrace planning and a deep understanding of how each element contributes to the whole. It is a comprehensive approach to ensure that our client-partners achieve resonance with their stakeholders. This cohesive and resonant identity is only delivered because we listen, distill, and translate the uniquely diverse perspectives (Vibe) of leaders, team members, and even their customers. This collaborative effort ensures that the final identity is meaningful and accurate to the essence of the organization.

The lessons from Ravenna's mosaics are clear: with intentionality and reflection, we can create identities as enduring and impactful as the ancient artworks in the Italian city. We are dedicated to the clarity of identity that Identity Architecture provides for our client partners, and we delight in the result daily.

Identity Architecture is a collaboration of discovery, impact, and authenticity that many organizations and individuals need. It delivers a broad canvas for telling compelling stories and connecting deeply with an audience, something we need a whole lot more of today.

Ding! 🛎️ Here’s the brief to your next design project:

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Craft an athletic lifestyle brand targeting young Squash players.

Target Audience: Child Athletes & Parents

Expected Deliverables: Full brand suite [Logoset, Typography, Color Palette, Patterns, Icons] and appropriate physical applications

Timeline: 4 Weeks

Good luck!

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Back when I was studying Graphic Design in college, this was a typical kickoff to any design project. I remember loving facing a fresh design brief where the expectations were unwritten and the possibilities of brand designing were literally unknown. We could design anything with the design briefs we were given because the reality of it was, the only real target audience was myself, my portfolio, and my professor.

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Now imagine graduating and suddenly working as a professional designer. This brief came across your desk, and you receive no other information than what is stated above. Do you think you would be as thrilled?

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I’ll let you in on a little secret: Brand design is not subjective. Believe it or not, there are correct answer(s) to every design question or challenge. If a designer is ever feeling the need to guess what the client or target audience wants, a flag should be raised.

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IdARCH is a small studio’s secret sauce when cooking killer brand identities. Every organization who partners up with us kicks things off with an idARCH workshop, a two-day deep dive into the soul of their company. By the end, our partners come out with a clear picture of what makes them shine. And it's not just awesome for them – us designers get a major boost too!

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After the idARCH workshop, our Narrative Lead and copy-writing WIZARD, Seyi, takes control by chatting up the clients and key players. All of those juicy insights from the workshop facilitated by our Principal and Identity Architect, John B Johnson, mixed with a series of stakeholder interviews, get refined and translated into an Identity Narrative. This narrative is like the Holy Grail, mapping out everything from the client’s positioning, tone of voice, audience, and collaboration blueprint- basically, a verbal identity narrative with all the unique perspectives (vibes) to guide an authentic visual identity development process.

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As the Brand Designer, I get handed this gem of a narrative, and that's where the real fun begins. I get to fully say goodbye to the guessing game. The Identity Narrative gives me a solid foundation and clear direction for every decision for the visual identity. Whether it’s crafting logos, picking colors, choosing fonts, or weaving in patterns and textures, the Identity Narrative acts as my new design brief, ensuring every choice is on point with the brand's vibe.

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Back in college, the lack of real stakeholders who actually care about their brands left me feeling like I was shooting in the dark. But designing with idARCH in my artillery, I've got a light that guides my creativity. The crystal-clear guidance of the Identity Narrative wipes out uncertainty and lets me focus on what I love most – whipping up designs that are distinctive and resonate with the brand's essence.

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For the clients, the perks are just as epic. They score a cohesive brand identity that screams who they are and everything they stand for. The idARCH process ensures every deliverable is rooted in their story, making the final brand not only easy on the eyes but also deeply meaningful.

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IdARCH completely bridges the gap between brand strategy and design. For young designers like me, it’s like hitting the jackpot – a structured yet flexible framework that ditches the guesswork and fuels creativity. Next time you dive into a brand design project, think about how much better it could be with a clear, concise source of truth like the Identity Narrative. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

As you read this edition of Ding!, the one expression we would love to be your biggest takeout is this;

"Doubt is a mile wide but only an inch deep."

Pause and reflect on that statement for a while because doubt is nothing but a pesky inner critic that whispers, "You're not good enough,” right when inspiration strikes, or when you are on the verge of trying something new, or most often when things do not go as planned. We've all been there, and no one is exempt, from the freshly minted creative mind to seasoned creative geniuses.

We just had to put this edition out, as a defiant "Victory Salute✌️" to those battling that dreaded feeling. Most importantly, it is also a special message to all the talented souls who feel like they didn't snag the coveted internship with us at a small studio. Under no circumstance should you let a little rejection dim your spark. Every "No" is a step closer to a resounding "Yes!" in the direction that will best influence your life's story.

Just so you know, the brilliantly talented Jake Lawall on our team also applied for an internship in 2022, and he didn't get it. He didn't let the “doubt” from that hold him back in any way; he re-strategized and reflected a lot more on why a small studio was where he wanted to be, and immediately a full-time position opened up. He applied again, and no one on the team could ignore his dazzle. Jake is now playing a role in raising standards of excellence for all our partners while having the time of his life.

We didn't intend for this edition to be a pick-me-up, but sometimes, hearing or reading certain words just does some magic for the mind. Here are more words from minds that have found ways to slay their doubt, and till this very day, the world can’t get enough of their timeless wisdom;

"If you hear a voice within you saying you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced." -Van Gogh

According to this phenomenal artist, you need to embrace the rebel within and combat doubt by continuing on the path of doing what you love.

"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated." -Maya Angelou

Ponder this for a moment, what's a masterpiece without a few drafts in the trash? How do you have an incredible story to tell if there were no twists and turns adding to the intrigue?

When you become aware of doubt, it becomes a whetstone you can use to sharpen your creative journey. Wield it intentionally by applying smart work, tenacity, and an unwavering belief in your passions.

Dear dreamer and doer, ignore that voice of doubt. Keep creating, keep shining, and keep being yourself.

The feeling of doubt might feel wild and wide, but it's not that deep; Pay it no mind at all.

Go Flourish!

We are currently buzzing at a small studio because of a project we are working on. John would call it a dream project because it's something big for the skyline of Cleveland, Ohio (his hometown and the designated HQ of a small studio). It's an architectural marvel for which we have the distinct privilege of collaborating with the visionary founder to build its visual and verbal identity from the ground up. Upon completion it will transform the perception of a rustbelt city roaring back to life, and we are so here for it.

This project (which we can't wait to spill the tea on) involves blending beautiful design with function like never before. It will deliver sustainable spaces that are not only seen but genuinely experienced. It has inspired this edition of Ding! Let's face it: Beauty has transformative powers- a natural force that tends to captivate and connect while functioning. Dostoevsky (the novelist) once said;

"Beauty will save the world."

And we believe firsthand that things must be beautiful while serving a purpose. So, we always find innovative ways to merge beautiful design with practical applications. Let's look at some moments through time where beauty and function intersected seamlessly to save the world (in some little-big ways).

Stefan Sagmeister, commissioned by the DUMBO Improvement District in partnership with Two Trees Management Co and the NYCDOT Urban Art Program, designed the iconic 80-foot-long murals on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway underpass, featuring a simple yet powerful "YES" that transformed a mundane transit space into a cherished landmark. The mural, illustrated by the multitalented Yuko Shimizu, did more than beautify a space; it made it a destination, enhancing its value and meaning to the community.

Similarly, the High Line in Manhattan transformed an obsolete rail track into a vibrant public space, another prime example of beauty melding with utility. What was once a dilapidated structure and high-crime area is now a living-breathing urban oasis with a crime rate that has plummeted to nearly zero. The High Line didn't just bring greenery to an industrial part of the city; it spurred a wave of development around it, proving that beautiful design catalyzes urban regeneration.

It's impossible not to also spotlight London's famed 'The Shard'. When it was proposed, it faced many naysayers who doubted its necessity and debated its potential to overshadow the rich historical tapestry of London. Yet, upon its completion, it did not just transform the London skyline; it redefined it. Towering over the city at an impressive 309.6 meters, the tallest building in the UK and a beautiful beacon of modernity. The English Heritage (a charity that cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments, preserving the story of England), said it would be;

“A shard of glass through the heart of historic London.”

Ironically, Renzo Piano the architect found this criticism inspiring and named the building ‘The Shard’, implying a "shard of glass" piercing the sky. Honestly, it is a metaphor that perfectly captures the building's sharp, sleek lines, which slice through the horizon, reflecting the city's ever-evolving nature.

Every project we have mentioned, and the one we are currently executing in Cleveland, Ohio, which we are bursting at the seams to share, epitomize our belief that;

Design must live, breathe, and function within the ecosystem it inhabits.

The first set of words you see when you land on our website, are; "A design partner as steady and efficient as your breathing," and those words sum up our approach of executing naturally for all our partners- something we do with a bias for beauty that serves.

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Stay beautiful inside and out!✌️

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We're on a streak of sorts with Ding! If you noticed, it is just our vibe at the moment. We've shared about the need to break the system, choosing to travel the lonely road, and elicit visceral reactions with our piece, make them cry! We will be doing you, our dear creative reader, a disservice if we don't share this last essential element of any Creative rebellion with you, i.e., the need for a theme music that empowers you to go forth without fear.

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Every superhero has a theme song, and so should every creative. Think of Batman's imposing score or Wonder Woman's battle-ready tune; these aren't just background sounds but moment amplifiers that resonate with the core of their missions and essence. The right music will shift your mind into a more productive state, enhancing your ability to tackle challenges with renewed vigor and clarity (we all freaking need that).

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Throughout history, icons have turned to music to channel their energies and focus their minds. Did you know that Albert Einstein attributed some of his brilliant theoretical insights to his love for Mozart and Bach? He even once famously said,

"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music." -Einstein

Many more creative innovators credit particular Bob Dylan songs for their most productive moments of reflection. Theme songs are not just casual preferences, they are deliberate anthems to motivate the mind and spirit into action.

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We've said this before, and we will say it again, louder: At a small studio, music matters immensely to us. Sometimes, the intention(vibe) of an entire week is set off of a song on Monday, and it permeates everything we do that week. Music is not just a backdrop for our work; we deploy it as a driving force for creative exploits. Loads of scientific research underscore this sentiment too, revealing that the right song can significantly boost cognitive abilities, enhance concentration, and even improve mental health.

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What is the soundtrack of your creativity? What music has the vibe to draw strength from? Having a personal anthem (or playlist) can be the key to unlocking your highest productivity and most profound level of creativity. Start by finding that one track that fills your soul with the urge to create, innovate, and lead change.

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Dive deep into the musical archives and unearth the sound that defines you. Whether it's something from the complex jazz rhythms to spark your strategic thinking, soaring orchestral notes that guide your design instincts, or the beats and poetic cadence of Hip-Hop that drive your coding skills, there is a sound that resonates with the vibe of your creative spirit, go find it!

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In the remixed words of the great Baz Luhrmann on Sunscreen-

“Ladies and gentlemen of the 57th edition of Ding! Find a theme song!

If we could offer you only one tip for the future, a theme song would be it.
The long-term benefits of a theme song have been proven by scientists.”

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Find yours, and it will propel you to be unstoppable, and when you do, share it with us.

Robert Frost (the poet) once stood at the crossroads of the metaphorical forest where paths diverged, contemplating the roads before him. His choice? The one less traveled—a path that resonates deeply with Who we are at a small studio. Our compass of being is not just about creativity but a sense of identity, a child-like state that's the guiding light that illuminates our path.

Countless design studios chase after the next big client, sacrificing their values and diluting their identities. However, we have chosen a different road that demands courage, conviction, and an uncompromising dedication to authenticity.

Our curiosity is boundless like a child discovering the world for the first time. Our approach is to empower the next generation of creative leaders, and we can’t back down from that path.

With each project, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, challenging ourselves to push the boundaries of what is possible while retaining the capacity to find joy in the simplest of moments. Our restless spirits thrive on the thrill of the unknown, constantly seeking new ways to redefine the art of verbal and visual storytelling for all of our client partners. Where many chase after fleeting trends, we build identities meant to last, inspired by the timeless curiosity of the mind of a child.

We vehemently reject the notion of cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, we immerse ourselves in our partners' unique narratives with wide-eyed wonder. We even trademarked an entire creative operating system, Identity Architecture to ensure we consistently follow this path. Through this process, we consistently deliver visual and verbal expressions deeply rooted in the soul of any brand.

Empowerment is a critical piece of our identity, so we will always foster and nurture the wonder within each of our partners, so that they can operate independently long after our collaboration. We equip them with all the clarity they need to maintain their identity, and execute with exceptional self-awareness.

As the world of design, communication, and identity continues to morph into a commodity of sameness, one thing gives us all the confidence to believe in the decisions we make: Robert Frost's words:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

Stay true to yourself; it makes all the difference! ✌🏼

How often has the sole purpose of your job been to make people cry? That seems like a ridiculous question, especially given that you are reading this content from an Identity-Driven Design Studio and not a medical institution or some other spooky service provider. But let's sit with that question for a moment.

One of the things I have seen constantly happen from being a part of a small studio is the incredible fact that we make our client-partners cry! Yes, I said it!

We provide so much profound clarity that they can't help but have a visceral reaction.

I have witnessed the founder of a multimillion-dollar company shed tears of joy in clarity as he spoke about what the Identity Architecture creative operating system did for him and his organization. He admitted that he intended to sell the company he ran before he went through the process. But after the thorough framework of reflection and discovery, everything aligned with intense clarity for him. He felt a new form of ownership for his company and was empowered more than ever to take it to the next level. It is a peaceful sight to witness founders answer the critical question, "Who are you, really?"

The Peace it gives them is beyond bliss.

Last week, another key leader of an organization we took through the workshop piece within Identity Architecture, through tears, admitted to having more clarity in 8 hours of working with us, than in 12 years since he's been building within the organization.

Can you imagine that? More clarity in less than 24 hours of working with us than in several thousands of hours invested in building from the inside.

The two instances above do not exist in isolation. They are a few of many I have witnessed through Identity Architecture. Our work with our partners remains one of the most important ones in the lives of founders, leadership teams, or even design teams.

People need clarity in love, faith, work, basically in every sphere of life.

And we have found an effective-replicable way to ensure all our partners attain it seamlessly.

Our mission is to Bring Peace! And we make it happen every time we take our partners through Identity Architecture with tears of clarity!

Start some small talk with us and share this with those you care for.

At a small studio, we've been on a mission to empower the next generation of creative leaders with the skills they need to truly stand out and forge a distinctive identity. Because? Traditional education systems need to be improved, and designers should stop being trained to blend in rather than embrace what makes them unique. Through our over a year-long discourse in "Ding!", we've dissected, embraced, and celebrated the essence of creative divergence. Yet, as we pivot to a future brimming with potential(s) untapped, it's time for this unapologetic call: "Break The System."

From day one at design school or other institutions, students are indoctrinated into a prescribed way of thinking and creating. They learn the "right" way to use design software, the "proper" design principles, and the "accepted" aesthetics. Conformity is rewarded, while divergent thinking is often stifled.

The result? An assembly line of creatives churned out each year, armed with technical skills but needing more self-awareness and confidence to be creative visionaries. They know how to use the tools but not how to wield them in service of a bold, authentic vision.

This is where we come in with "Identity Architecture," a trademarked process coined and carefully cultivated to challenge the status quo. It is our creative operating system designed to elevate design beyond the commodity to a catalyst for personal and collective transformation. With Identity Architecture, we continue to see incredible impact when creatives are empowered to architect their distinctive identities with clarity of self.

Identity Architecture is deployed to listen, distill, and translate unique lived experiences in a manner that pushes creatives to go inward first (reflect), to interrogate their inspirations, values, and perspectives, and to marry the tactical with the deeply personal. Only then can they produce work (project) that is more than just aesthetically pleasing but resonates with conviction and their soul.

We empower creatives to become one of none, renegades to a system built on sameness and conformity. We encourage them to embrace the mashup of influences that make them unique and to always be bold in breaking the rules in service of something distinctive and impactful.

The world doesn't need more creatives who blindly follow trends or live in fear of taking risks. We need visionaries with the courage to challenge norms and create culture-shifting authentic work that opens eyes and minds. We need breakthrough designers with the skills to support—and the identity to drive—true innovation with purpose.

The future belongs to those with clarity of identity. And we're making sure they're ready.

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In June of 2023 (last year), the entire team flew from around the world to Cleveland, Ohio, for our annual retreat. The great City of Cleveland is the hometown of John B. Johnson, Principal and Identity Architect of a small studio. John has been trying to get all of us to move to Cleveland or even visit, and it finally happened in June.

Exploring the historical city was a beautiful experience for us all, but little did we know that this trip was also the beginning of John's journey of a lifetime. He had just run the Cleveland Marathon and qualified for the Boston Marathon two (2) weeks before our visit; at 35, he was in the best shape of his life.

While in an incredible and tastefully furnished Cabin in the woods, John got a phone call that practically transformed his reality as a husband, father, and leader. Everyone on the team had no idea what conversation John was having on the phone; Cleveland's hospitality enamored most of us, so we didn't notice.

The fact that that phone call came in while we were all in Cleveland was nothing short of a miracle because he called us all together as we were having a moment of deep reflection, and he said;

‍"My Doctor just called and confirmed that I've got Stage 2 Colorectal Cancer."

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We all froze in disbelief, this couldn't be happening to John. Is this some prank? We knew deeply it was true because we didn't know John to play pranks of such magnitude. Most leaders would have kept this from their team, but John operated with Radical Transparency, a core value of a small studio. So, keeping his team members in the dark differed from how he worked or saw the role of leadership in the world.

Despite his diagnosis and the restlessness that must be welling up within his soul at this time, John insisted on ensuring we all had a swell time in Cleveland. He didn't let any form of pity creep into the atmosphere to influence his team. He operated with integrity and intentionality; honestly, that must have been a lot to carry.
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Throughout the remainder of the year, John had to undergo Chemotherapy, which left him often tired and without a taste in his mouth, but he still showed up for meetings and wanted to empower anyone on the team in the best way he could. His wife (Sarah) was pregnant with their second Child, and John still found a way to be present while carrying a cross that very few people could endure.

Today, in 2024 as you read these words, John has been given a clean bill of health after a year of significant Chemotherapy and several treatments by the best doctors at the Cleveland Clinic. He is finally Cancer-free (what a relief)! He also welcomed his second child a few weeks ago (an adorable boy). Just know this, his journey of transformation has influenced how we at the studio see leadership. John was an exceptional human being throughout everything, and now he stops at nothing, telling anyone and everyone to get checked, because early detection will save a whole lot more lives.

We share this today because March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. So please get checked as early as you can. Colorectal Cancer is the number two cause of Cancer deaths in the United States.

If you are still reading this, you love us at a small studio, go show John some love.

He’s a true inspiration!

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“I don’t know.”

That never has and likely never will be an acceptable answer to these questions:

• What’s your dream project?
• What type of creative do you want to be?
• Where do you see your career in 5 years?

It's dismissive. Lazy. Careless. Crass. Never is “I don’t know” seen as curious.

But it should be– for someone with one year of experience, with five, with 20, even 30. In the creative world, in the world at large for that matter, there is such an emphasis on knowing. It kills us not to know, let alone to be at peace with it.

“I don’t know,” is always considered unconsidered. It’s never thought to be an intentional answer. An open-ended, curious answer. One that purposefully leaves the door open for a different type of response.

When we aren’t thinking about whether our dream project revolves around branding or advertising, it gives us room to think about whether our dream project is one of learning or mentorship. If we aren’t thinking about whether we want to be a motion or product designer, we have time to think about being the type of creative that perhaps doesn’t dream of work at all. Maybe when someone asks us, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” and we say, “I don’t know,” it can mean we want to explore, play, and go where our creative curiosity takes us– of course, we wouldn’t know where that would lead us in 5 years.

I’m speaking as an emerging creative. As someone who finds these questions, and more importantly, the common bullet points of expected responses to be frustrating and limiting. There are times when I’ve sat down to think about these questions that have caused such a feeling of a tightening and constriction in my chest that I thought surely the answer would have leaked out by now. But it hasn’t.

It remains a single drop of water in a cloth– impossible to wring out.

That’s okay. For now, I don’t want to know. You don’t have to know. We can be selfish and not answer those questions. We can want to edit videos, create motion graphics, design a website, make social media posts, and build a brand. We can learn how to work in a small studio and a large one– one that’s in-person and remote. We can design in-house, outside the house, and at the neighbor's house. We can be mentored and mentor. We can experience different industries at their peaks and their lows. We don’t have to have everything about our careers figured out before our frontal lobes are developed. We can turn “I don’t know,” into something meaningful to strive for rather than a no checkbox on a recruiter's interview notes.

“Time is long but life is short.” - Stevie Wonder

We have the time to figure it out. The answers won’t pass by us today, tomorrow, or the day after. But they might the day after that, and the next day, and the next if we don’t seek out the experiences we want when our curiosity demands it of us.

Maybe by the time I’m ready to retire and I’ve added countless drops to the cloth that is my career– by the time I’ve had 15 jobs and a constellation of experiences to guide me, I’ll be able to wring out a cloth dripping with answers. But not today. Today, Idk ✌️.

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We love every edition of Ding! equally, but this one hits different for us because of how deeply we care about the design community. In the ever-evolving landscape of design and business interactions, the brightest sparks are those who navigate their paths with a torch of passion, illuminating the way forward  (an inner fire that seems inexplicable). As the summer months are on the horizon and many Designers will be looking to get their first-hand work experiences, we dedicate this edition of Ding! to you, the emerging designers, standing at the precipice of your futures, deciding which path to take. We dive into the essence of choosing a career path that resonates with your inner fire to avoid the looming shadow of burnout.

Misalignment burnout is a spectre that haunts the corridors of the modern workplace, emerging from the disconnect between one's job and personal purpose. As underscored in a thought-provoking piece by Forbes (which John found and passionately shared), this condition transcends mere occupational fatigue; it represents a profound misfit between one's professional role and intrinsic motivations. The toll is emotional and physical, with potential long-term consequences for health and well-being.

So, how do you "Dodge the Burn"? The key lies in forging a career that demands your skills and speaks to your passions and values.

For emerging talents in design and business, this might mean seeking roles that offer creative freedom, opportunities for innovation, or the chance to make a societal impact. It's about finding that sweet spot where your work doesn't just fill the hours but fills your spirit with enthusiasm and purpose.

The journey of alignment begins with introspection. Ask yourself what drives you, what causes you love to champion, and what problems you're passionate about solving. Then, seek out environments and roles that align with these passions. Remember, a career aligned with your passions is a support system against the pressures and stresses that lead to burnout.

This principle applies across the spectrum of professions. Whether your arena is creative design, strategic business development, or innovative tech solutions, aligning your career with your core motivations is your safeguard against burnout.

The landscape is ripe with opportunity for you, the rising stars in design. Today's landscape demands innovation, creativity, and leadership—qualities that thrive best in environments where passion is the fuel. As you step into whatever role you choose, nurture your inner fires. Seek out mentors who inspire you, engage with projects that challenge you, and never stop pursuing what genuinely excites you.

Most design studios or design leaders might not say this, but we will because it aligns with two of our core values (Radical Transparency and Creatives-First): let "Dodge the Burn" be more than a mantra to you; let it be the guiding principle.

As you navigate your career path, keep your passions as your compass, steering you toward roles where you can indeed be authentic.

In doing so, you'll avoid the pitfalls of burnout and embark on a fulfilling and sustainable professional journey.

As an emerging designer, the future is yours to shape. May your choices be guided by passion, your challenges met with resilience, and your successes fuelled by the fire within.

Here's to dodging the burn and lighting the world with your unique spark.✌️

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Can you believe it's been a year since we first chimed in with Ding!? Time flies when you're having fun—and, we had a lot of that exploring the beautiful worlds of design and identity together.

Remember our dive into the Remixing Nature of Creativity, where we learned that the most original ideas often spring from unexpected combinations? Or how we stumbled upon the magic of Serendipity and how embracing the unexpected can lead to design gold? We even dared to fight the bland with a product of our Just Because Week- Wunderbread, reminding everyone that design can move minds(or at least elevate your everyday experience and feelings).

But Ding! was and will always be about small, but intentional big-picture thinking with people at the center. We celebrated the power of small wins in The Value of Celebrating, explored the intricacies of typography in Just My Type, and championed the cause of Design for Good. We even prepped you for the mobile-first world with a gentle nudge to Think Mobile.

We didn't stop there; we opened up (as always)with Vulnerable Brilliance, explored the marathon (not sprint) nature of creativity in My Creative Marathon, and tackled the elusive concept of Creative Fluency. And also reminded you why we dare to Bring Peace to the world, one design project at a time.

Leadership got a design makeover from us in Designed to Lead, we reminisced about the joy of saving inspiration in I Saved It. Took the fear out of Type Design and offered tips for building Killer Folios to showcase your design prowess while we planned Designers are Scary!

Of course, it wouldn't be a complete year without a Love Letter to Design (because, let's face it, we're all hopelessly smitten). We championed the importance of Accessible Design and the power of Active Listening in the design process. Explored the challenges and triumphs of Remote Collaboration and reminded you that Anyone Can Be a Mentor.

It is all such a thrill, because we delved into the Competitive Mindset and the importance of resetting with Take a Breather. We explored the Harmony at the heart of great design stories and the power of ROI by Design. Deliberated on the need for Branding on Purpose and the Competitive Advantage of empathy( which we will never compromise on).

Pondered the future with a piece on Identity over Data and Small on AI, acknowledging the ever-evolving design landscape. We celebrated the Winning Mix of diversity and the importance of Building Trust. Emphasized the value of Design Systems and explored the possibilities of the Creative Assist(we all need a lot of those).

We took a trip To the Clouds (because the future is driven by purpose and momentum), and encouraged you to Find Your Vibe and to Stay Peachy amidst the design hustle. Offered a peek into the designer's brain with The Creative Operating System and helped you navigate the decision-making process with Hiring an In-House Designer.

Finally, we ended on a high note, expressing our Love for you, our amazing reader, and acknowledged the Founder's Dilemma (because we empathize deeply with our partners). We then explored the power of a well-chosen name in What's in a Name?, because it is the first word of your story.

Phew! It's been quite a ride!

But this is just the beginning. We're more excited than ever to keep exploring the ever-evolving world of identity and design with you. We've got new ideas brewing and can't wait to share them with you.

So, stay in the zone with us, because Ding! Promises to be even more informative, inspiring, and whimsical.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. We wouldn't be here without your eyes on these words.

Here's to another year of using our gifts together, to Bring Peace

With love and creativity ✨,

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"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet." William Shakespeare wrote those words in Romeo and Juliet to emphasize the unimportance of names, but we respectfully disagree.

Across the globe, naming is enveloped in tradition and significance. In African cultures, a name is a prophecy, encapsulating the individual's hopes, dreams, and life path. Similarly, in Native American communities, names are bestowed through ceremonial practices, reflecting the individual's character and anticipated journey through life. Couples consistently deep-dive when choosing the name for their newborn because they want it to be a choice that matters.

John Johnson, Principal and Identity Architect of a small studio just had his second child last week, and of course he and his wife had an extensive and intentional deliberation towards choosing the name of their baby. They wanted to provide him with a guide post to look back on; an identity from which he can continue to live life on purpose, and they achieved this brilliantly with the name they agreed upon (John can give more deets on that).

Let's face it, your name is the first word of your story, a prediction in summary.

An indication of the future and the journey ahead, so it is not a dismissible bit of identity. Extensive research confirms the outsized influence that naming wields over impressions and outcomes. Several linguistic psychologists argue extensively that brand names with appropriate linguistic symbolism and suggestive meanings increased positive consumer perceptions by over 50% compared to generic names.

The chosen name sets the tone and trajectory for individuals and companies alike, subtly yet profoundly transmitting the core of who you are and what you stand for to the world.Like a resonating symbol, a name can elegantly yet loudly whisper suggestive hints of the unfolding journey ahead.

Naming is both an art and a science, and we really enjoy collaborating with founders across industry verticals to discover the right one for their journey.

Through our creative operating system, Identity Architecture, we carefully extract founder and team insights, elaborately establishing the brand's core values(anchors), target audience, and strategic positioning. With all of the information garnered, we conduct linguistic analysis, cultural context expansion, and market trends study to craft meaningful, memorable, scalable, and, most importantly, authentic names.

We rarely stop at just the name; we extend our expertise to developing a comprehensive visual identity, tone of voice, and strategic positioning. By translating these elements into digital and physical brand assets, we ensure that the name is not just a label but a narrative that unfolds across every brand touchpoint.

So, what's the story of your name?

Being a founder is one of the most complicated and challenging decisions anyone can make. It is a whirlwind between product development, finding product-market fit, securing funding, and building a team.

The decisions and hurdles to overcome are gigantic. So, it is easy for most founders to ignore the importance of crafting a clear visual and verbal identity early on. Most founders always say, "I will get around to that much later," but that oversight is a significant missed opportunity that costs a lot more in the long run. An early establishment of the soul of what you are building, ensures the existence of a vibe that makes instant impressions.

First impressions matter, and your startup needs to be on a frequency that attracts and sticks. A cohesive visual identity (logo, website, color palette) instantly conveys professionalism and trustworthiness. Think about your favorite brands; their digital or physical assets tell a story before a word is spoken.

Visuals are incredibly powerful in the world we live in today, but the real identity amplification happens when you pair the visual identity with a compelling verbal narrative. This isn't just about a fancy tagline; it's about capturing your essence in clear, concise language that resonates and exudes clarity. Remember, you're not just selling a product; you're offering a solution to the pain points of people, and your messaging needs to reflect that. A memorable identity builds crucial emotional connections by conveying the essence of what a company stands for in a way that mere data and features cannot.

In an increasingly cluttered and competitive marketplace, establishing a distinctive identity (visual and verbal) cuts through the noise to attract investor and customer attention. A well-thought-through visual and verbal identity screams, "We've got our act together," making you a more attractive prospect for funding. Investors are betting on your potential, and a clear identity demonstrates your vision and execution ability.

"Since the Identity work we did with a small studio, we've raised nearly $40 million in venture funding"- Founder, Overflow

When done strategically, a brand's identity makes the intangible tangible. Don't wait for success to find your vibe. Start building your brand identity early, and watch how it opens doors, connects with your audience, and fuels your fundraising.

The bottom line is; you're not just a startup; you're a story waiting to be told. Find a partner who can articulate your visual and verbal story (identity) the most authentic way possible.

Start with Identity Architecture!

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The love affair between creatives and our work stems from expressing our identity. We feel most "ourselves" when immersed in the flow state of designing (is that sad or just divine?). Our work becomes a natural extension and expression of who we are; we channel our identity through colors, shapes, and words on whatever canvas or channel we deem fit- honestly, it is rewarding and consuming.

Today, on Valentine's Day, we are sharing collective and individual perspectives on dealing with this chicken-and-egg feeling. So, you will see quotes from many team members on how we deal.

The dynamic plays out interestingly, with us continuously finding profound validation in our creations. Praise, awards, and even the silent satisfaction of a well-done job, igniting inner desires (our partners can only compete). Leaving us feeling intensely passionate about being lucky to live a life of purpose and endless passion.

"The hard part is figuring out the work you truly love to do. Once you figure that out, loving others through your work happens effortlessly."-John.

Relying solely on work-related validation can create a precarious emotional ecosystem. Research by Brené Brown, a leading expert on vulnerability, highlights the risks of confusing professional self-worth with personal identity. When our self-esteem becomes dependent on external validation, especially from work, we leave ourselves vulnerable to fluctuations in the professional landscape. A negative critique, missed deadline, or shift in project priorities can send us into an emotional tailspin.

"Honestly, the way I get completely engulfed in a design project is scarily similar to what it feels like to be utterly infatuated with someone… If I spend too much time working on a brand, I start to think about it constantly, incessantly bring it up around my friends, overthink every step of the process, have a falling out with it, rediscover the love, become possessive, & eat an entire tub of ice cream when the client rejects it."-Jake

It is easy to say that balance can be achieved, but it is challenging because, as creatives, we pour an insane amount of passion into our work as a reflection of our core values. We exist to craft things that amplify our purpose in this world. The biggest challenge lies in balancing this intrinsic validation with the human need for connection. While it's true that professional success can be fulfilling, it's crucial to remember that love, in its most authentic form, extends beyond accolades and achievements. Cultivating relationships outside of work, engaging in diverse interests, and fostering a sense of community are essential to building a well-rounded identity.

"I don't think there's a particular trick or cheat code to it. Work (even beloved work) and the rest of life are like two rooms next to each other in my mind. If you're intentional about it for long enough, you'll start subconsciously turning the light off and closing the door when you leave one room and go into the other. "-Ella.

So, dear creative, this Valentine's Day, design a new narrative. Design a life filled with love, not just in your work but in the connections you nurture, the passions you explore, and the self-compassion you cultivate.

"When I got engaged, I couldn't wait to tell my team! That's part of what makes a small studio so special; we share what we're up to outside of work and hold space for life events, no matter how big or small."- Sarah.

Remember, a fulfilled, loved-up designer is not just a happier individual but also a more powerful one, capable of crafting experiences that move, inspire, and truly connect with the world.✌🏽

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There comes a moment in all growing organizations where the debate begins to rage internally around hiring a role vs contracting one out to a service provider. A lot of arguments get weighed when making this decision; cost to hire, turnover problems, culture fit, and scale goals. While all valid, there are other considerations that may not be discussed when the crucial point of making a decision looms over you and your team. Here are some rarely considered reasons to question hiring a designer in-house compared to approaching a professional services provider, all with very real world implications to your business.

The unskilled vs skilled manager

It is common human instinct to get defensive at the comment that one may be unskilled in a certain capacity but it is the elevated professional who can clearly draw lines around one's own skill sets within their organizations competencies.

There is strength in vulnerability and one place this is so often miscalculated is in admitting that a skilled person requires other skilled people to become the most productive contributor to any team.

A great analogy would be a quarterback playing for a football team and taking offensive coaching tips from a veteran lineman. There are going to be plenty of parallel strengths to be shared in both roles but ultimately you can not replace the expert guidance of a veteran quarterback. A team looking to win is going to acknowledge their lacking managerial wisdom and move to correct it, a losing team is going to expect their quarterback to carry the team with the tools available.

In all of my years working with skilled professionals, rarely do I see this analogy so commonly represented within the roll-out and management of a designer within an organization. Companies usually get to a place where they need to hire a full-time or a solo freelance designer but ultimately this decision leads to a minefield of hidden problems that may take months to uncover.

A good example of a crucial mistake an unskilled design manager often makes is in regards to setting timelines and limiting creative expression within the process. So often professionals not accustomed to creative problem solving approach all problems with a deadline mentality. “Problem A needs solving by March 3rd so that we can ensure Problem B doesn’t impact Goal C”. Standard common management logic, while not flawed in practice, simply fails to leverage the true gifts of why a creative problem solver has been assigned to the team. The real approach here is to allow the designer to ideate, iterate, and experiment with paths to a goal without the walls of logical restriction impeding creativity.

The gift that a creative designer brings to the table is in driving forward unconventional thinking as the primary component of the solution. If problem B just always seems to exist in your workflows, it sometimes takes unconventional wisdom to break tradition and elevate the organization. If your manager is pushing your creative talent to fit within a box of their own logical assertions, you can be assured that your designer will simply become an extension of their manager's strengths and weaknesses.

Emergent technologies and best practices

Probably not since the advent of the printing press has there been more disruption present within an industry since November of 2022. Generative AI is clearly a tool for the elevation of organizations across the board but where does design fit within that framework? If you are tracking the decisions made by executive leaders across the country, I am sure you would be of the opinion that the disruption is existing within the design space itself. A one step at a time thinker would be confident in making this bet, but in reality the person thinking four steps out should be considering alternative long term impacts from this emergent technology.

Today the immediate impact is management leveraging low grade technology to replace medium to high grade talent in order to save a few dollars this quarter. Ultimately that is a game played by those accepting obsolescence faster than they may be able to stop the momentum of the backlash of such short sighted decisions.

One consistency since the advent of this technology into our marketplaces has been people of poor aesthetic value taking hold of easy solutioned design renderings.

This has caused a flood of low skill, poor value, and oftentimes cringe worthy design systems to carry forward their brand. I can not tell you how often I see the accountant turned designer with the help of generative AI put out a blog article that just sends shivers of yikes up my spine. There seems to be a renaissance of poor aesthetic choices across the internet these days, and very quickly the would haves are turning into the have nots.

The best solution to this overall deluge of poor creative choices across industries in 2024 is to avoid the trap of minimizing cost and maximizing your personal perceived creative ‘capabilities’. The best solution is to remain vulnerable, invest capital in creative professionals who are in sync with the emergent technologies and can perform in an area you must willingly defer control for the sake of professional standards that elevate your brand.

Hiring to test vs hiring into an existing system

This last one is often the most easily missed piece of the hiring process when bringing on any design employee or solo freelancer. Oftentimes management may have a clear focus on the brand and creative direction that an organization must pursue in order to keep consensus towards the brand image. This is a correct approach and should be prioritized.

The problem with this oftentimes sound logic is when making the hiring decision itself. When we interview people professionally, we often are looking at character and merit first. This means that we can slot a solid professional into a role we need filled without the concern for poor performance or problematic behaviors. But when hiring a designer you are not just hiring a professional placeholder for a role, you are hiring a human with trained preconceived notions towards their artistic skills. If you’ve ever been creative, then you know that the nuances of creative expression are so wildly chaotic that not considering such aspects when hiring is sure destruction for your creative consensus.

That is often why service providers that specialize in creative talent are such a valuable asset to your organization. You know that you have a team of creative professionals who can bob and weave to the needs of your organization's brand in a collective unison rarely experienced by organizations with just one design employee or solo freelancer.

Almost every time we approach a new project at a small studio, we start with aligning impressions with inspiration. The creative who raises their hand and says “This style is bringing me joy” is oftentimes the person we tag to take point on the creative process. We have managers who are creatives and skilled in the best practices of design systems. Furthermore, we have internally prioritized the challenge that keeping up with emerging technologies has brought to the table, all while not sacrificing the quality of output our clients have become accustomed to.

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When speaking to a founder, designer, or business leader, the natural expression is, "You're running a fine business or operating an incredible venture." These expressions sound surprisingly similar to when talking about computers.

Every business is a sophisticated computer, but it is like any other if it doesn't discover its soul (the operating system). A computer is just an expensive box without the operating system, and this is where the power of Identity Architecture comes into play, as the creative operating system that elevates the function of all parts for optimal performance.

Identity Architecture, which we developed at a small studio out of empathy for partners, remains largely in the background, yet it influences and guides every decision an organization makes. It provides a new and unseen level of harmony. Founders, designers, dev teams, and even human resources will all be in tune without knowing it.

Running an organization or leading a design team can sometimes feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded, even on the good days. Identity Architecture steps in to guide decision-making through an understanding of the unique vibrational frequency(vibe) of your organization and team.

At the heart of Identity Architecture is a creative operating system driven by listening. It distills all of the subtle frequencies of any business or founder and translates it fluently to be understood internally and externally.

At the heart of Identity Architecture is a creative operating system driven by listening. It distills all of the subtle frequencies of any business's identity and translates it fluently to be understood internally and externally. It enables teams to reach new heights in consensus-building, positioning, product naming, tone of voice development, and establishing a coherent visual language. With it, design teams and HR or even accounting (yup!) can speak the same language.
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‍In today's world, where businesses pop up like Slack notifications, standing out is essential. Identity Architecture empowers businesses to never just 'fit in' but to 'stand' out in meaning. With the power of this creative operating system, no new layers are added to organizational processes; instead, it peels back existing ones to reveal the core, the essence that makes the business unique.

With the power of this creative operating system, no new layers are added to organizational processes; instead, it peels back existing ones to reveal the core, the essence that makes the business unique.

If you are curious about how our creative operating system, Identity Architecture, can empower you to reboot your vision, team, or design process?

Join our free webinar on the 1st of February, 2024. Book your spot!

Most of the world doesn't seem to care about the Pantone Color of the Year, but the design(er) community does, and they certainly use it to influence and express the world's mood. When the color of the Year, 2024, was dropped as; "Peach Fuzz,” one of the most optimistic colors of the Year in a while, it felt right: a warm, lingering, and reassuring cuddle. Signaling new beginnings, delight, and the taste of sinking one's teeth into a juicy peach on a beach in the summer months.

This is a color that can be tasted with the eyes (imagine that!).

Through the years, we have seen the deep blues and vibrant reds selected, and to be honest, they have not been mere trends but have been visual representations of the world's consciousness.

In 2012, "Tangerine Tango" was a spirited reddish orange, indicating the need for an energy boost to recharge and move forward. 2015 was ushered in with the earthy but deeply sophisticated "Marsala." And not forgetting the refreshing and revitalizing "Greenery" of 2017 that could have been selected by Mother Nature herself. Each color choice translated into what we saw in fashion, beauty, industrial design, digital design, home furnishings, and architecture.

Several design teams are executing their visual strategy for 2024 and actively reviewing it in real-time (the gift and the curse of the beautiful process). One thing is for sure:

‍Peach Fuzz is the gentle exhale the world needs right now after a year that felt like we were all holding our breaths.

It will feature as that delicate nudge toward delivering approachable, human-centric designs, a subtle accent color on websites and mobile applications, inviting users to act while staying warm, at home, and feeling authentic.

The psychology of Peach Fuzz is also a win, immersing users in comfort and reassuring optimism while staying beautiful- This is how you depict hope and soft resilience (it's incredible)! The hue provides an escape from whatever not-so-pleasant information might try to fizzle into people's consciousness in the New Year.

With how apt this color is, we just might start seeing it in the latest tech gadgets- smartwatch bands, accessories of different sorts in the hue to signal a lifestyle statement. Digital platforms will also embrace it as a calming and engaging experience for users. Do not be surprised if it pops up as the "Add to Cart" button color on some e-commerce platforms, moving away from being pushy and favoring a friendly gesture.

Every designer in the world is part of the movement connecting the world to its feelings (while staying out of the spotlight).

Go live in color.✌️

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Last week, we shared how our minds and gifts are being strategically put to work this year. We told you we had lift-off and were taking you; "To the Clouds." A mindset that was no mistake but a stance born out of empathizing with founders, businesses, and design leaders as we noticed their struggle to stand out from the sea of sameness.

In our tried and trusted professional view, to be exceptional, every founder, product, or team has to answer one question: Who are you? If this is answered, it reveals a frequency of clarity that informs their brand(name), audience, product-build, talent attraction, and the values that guide every action they undertake.

Thankfully, we've got the gift of expertly guiding partners on this journey to discover what drives them from within and sets them on a path like none other.

Partners we have worked with over the years have (re)discovered what we call their vibration (Vibe) of resonance with the world. You might have seen some refer to it as "ikigai" or "raison d'être" but whatever you call it, it positions any organization or team in the most robust way to cut through the clutter.

We have refined our trademarked Identity Architecture framework, and to stay in the frame of mind of the year, we are sharing it with the world to empower more founders, designers, and business leaders. Partners who have collaborated with us to find their vibe have achieved several incredible feats, some of which are;

• Name their brand appropriately
• Onboard new team members seamlessly
• Collaborate efficiently
• Focus their target audience
• Develop a comprehensive design system
• Achieve a consistent tone of voice
• Grow their bottom line by 3X

The list goes on and on, so be on the lookout for Identity Architecture for the year 2024, launching tomorrow to take you and your business to the clouds. If you are still deciding whether to take on this adventure, share it with anyone within your circle of influence; they will never stop thanking you.

Keep your eyes on our socials

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As we ticked and tocked into this new one with great expectations, with you by our side, we are confident that we are set to serve many memorable thrills. So, let's start by sharing our theme for the year with you: "To the Clouds." A promise that makes the world our creative playground.

Over the past six years, we've been more than just a design studio; we've cultivated a global community of designers and established trust for our partners. Last year was a testament to our commitment to raising the standard of excellence. Every line drawn, every concept developed, was an intentional step towards operational and design mastery.

Our elevated standard of craftsmanship was especially pivotal in our collaborations with founders in Web3 technology, Electric Vehicle (EV) Tech, and the realms of Culture and Sports. These industries, known for dynamism and innovation, found a kindred spirit in our studio's ethos, leading to groundbreaking that resonated.

As we set our sights on 2024, it's clear that our journey is only getting bolder. Jesper Lowgren's words ring true: "An extraordinary business starts with extraordinary people. Extraordinary people start with purpose." Our team, a collection of purpose-obsessed and identity-driven creatives, is ready to transcend boundaries.

This year, distraction-free and driven by a singular mission, we're poised to deliver products that aren't just transformative but also bring peace to the lives of our partners. Imagine a year where every design and collaboration meets expectations, soothes, inspires, and invigorates. That's the level of peace we're bringing in 2024.

This 2024 – we see a horizon filled with opportunities, akin to a sky dotted with expansive, white clouds. It's a year with the space for us to exhibit our true potential. "Don't be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try at all." are some of the words vibrating through our consciousness, strengthening the backbone of our fearless pursuit towards innovation and excellence for ourselves and our partners.

As we embark on this journey To the Clouds, we invite you to join us in exploring the uncharted territories, embracing the challenges, and reveling in the triumphs. Here's to a year of reaching new heights of profound impact.

Whether you’re a sports fan or not, it is hard to deny the crucial soft skills that participating in sports teaches us. From communication to collaboration and from competition to creativity, participating in sports in our youth can breed incredible multidimensional leaders.

We don’t often intertwine sports and creativity, however, I am going to do that today because just like any quality sports team creative teams spend a lot of time together. Instead of practice, we have critiques and instead of games, we have projects.

After 6 years of leading a small studio, I see myself as the head coach. I’ve worked with hundreds of creatives from all over the world and every one of them brings something special to each game. It is my job to make sure the right creatives are a part of the game at the right time to win. Of course, winning in this case is about bringing peace to the lives of everyone involved.

This year, which will go down as the hardest year of my life, I realized one of the most crucial skills necessary for success on any sports team or creative team is the assist. Assist is a verb defined as helping (someone), typically by doing a share of the work. It translates “to help” or for my old English folk “to take one’s stand”. If we add creativity to it, a creative assist means to help someone creatively or to take a stand for someone else’s creativity. Admirable right?

At a small studio, this shows up pretty regularly. As you can imagine with a full roster of only 5 full time creatives, we all get a lot of PT, and a lot of playing time results in creative fatigue. Once the fatigue hits the creative output falters dramatically. Rest is necessary, at the very least a change in focus. Here is where the creative assist shines. This is not just a pass of the ball, this is a fellow creative taking the full weight of a project they may have never touched and using their gifts to get the win.

To be able to pick up where someone else left off creatively as if it is your own is a spectacular skill.

I would call it a gift. A gift that every creative at a small studio must have. One that requires a tremendous amount of courage, confidence, humility, and most importantly empathy. You must care! Not only about your teammates’ success but the teams’ success. It is easy to care when it is your idea or you are the creative lead, it is a whole other thing when it is innately just who you are as a person.

Moving into 2024 this gift is going to be essential to cultivating a healthy environment within design teams. I’ve seen it countless times in my day to day with my team and clients. You may be the person who needs to start it but you don’t always need to be the person to finish it.

Here’s a few tips to foster more creative assists in 2024:

It’s not about you: If you’re a designer you are designing for someone else. Your job is to make something great for them and in turn you are doing something great for yourself. When you know it’s not about you it’s a lot easier to ask for help well before it may even be needed. Humility is core to being a designer.

Everyone knows you’re burnt out: Creative professionals often times are recovering perfectionists. With this comes a desire to just get it done even when it’s unhealthy. Long before you realize you are burnt out, your team has already seen your output and your creative energy suffering. Do yourself a favor and ask for help sooner. Even better offer help when you see others around you going down this path. Burnout can be avoided from both sides if we are looking for the assist.

Let it go, you won’t regret it: Simply put, when you have the right team around you, you crave their input. You crave collaboration. I’d argue we crave this all the time, whether you’d like to admit it or not. Letting your work go allows it to evolve, especially when you surrounded yourself with a diverse team. You are only one perspective and that project deserves much much more.

It’s not the end: Whether it’s due to burnout, resources, or just not feeling it, you have to leave the game. Many times when that creative assist happens it reinvigorates the entire team. I’ve seen it almost completely rejuvenate burnout because your fellow creative brought a whole new dimension to the project. What a beautiful thing this is to witness as a coach.

Shout out to all the my creatives out there who are looking for the assists rather than the acknowledgment.

You’re the real MVP. We’ll see you in 2024 ✌🏾

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Every business leader or founder has heard these two words, "Design System," brandished day and night by their creative or design leads. It is often brought up as a long-lasting solution to most snags that get in the way of brand consistency and team efficiency. Designers swear by it as the pathway to achieving the right user flows and clean interfaces for consumer experiences. Most stakeholders often need more convincing to invest in it, so today, we lend our voice to the debate.

A Design System is often defined as a collection of reusable components encoded with a clear design language that guides a standard of execution when a team builds a product or platform. It's simply a blueprint of what goes where and how it should look across product, platform and channel touchpoints.

In our mind's eye, a Design System is a living, breathing ecosystem that reflects an organization and the strategy that drives all its design decisions. It just sets up any organization for growth.

Here’s why we think it matters:

Efficient Collaboration: A design system is a shared language bridging the gap between designers, developers, and stakeholders. It's like having a manual that everyone on the team understands, making it easier to communicate ideas and collaborate. A common understanding that not only speeds up the process of designing and developing projects but also cuts down on confusion and misinterpretation. Picture a scenario where introducing a new team member or design partner is seamless because there's a comprehensive, well-explained design handbook they can quickly familiarize themselves with.

Trusted Consistency: Think of a world where every new project is like continuing an ongoing story, not starting a new one. This is similar to what a Design System does for teams- a treasure trove of past experiences and lessons to draw from each time. The Nielsen Norman Group points out that Design Systems are crucial to maintaining a consistent user experience. This consistency is vital for building a brand's identity and gaining users' trust. It's like walking into a Starbucks and knowing you'll get the same great tasting Peppermint Mocha every time – that level of reliability inspires trust.

Amplified Productivity: Whenever a team is tasked with designing a new interface for a product without a design system, they must start from scratch- sketching, making assumptions, and calculating decisions on what best suits the organization and its users. When a Design System exists, the design team can access a well-organized selection of components that have already been pre-tested and certified as the organization's standard. There will be no need to invest hours or days sketching or designing elements. They simply start a selection process between components to assemble the most suitable interface for the product. Saving the team time, energy and allowing more creativity on other major project tasks.

Operational Scalability: As a business evolves, branching out into new markets or adopting the latest technologies becomes an imperative.  A design system is not a static set of rules but a living framework that scales with needs- an innovative, growing city where new buildings and infrastructures seamlessly integrate with the old, maintaining the city's unique character while embracing progress.

Brand Consistency: A Design System ensures that every digital touchpoint, from the fonts used on a website to the colors in the app, resonates with the vibe set by the brand from the on-set, regardless of what team member executes the design, thereby creating a consistent and comforting experience for users wherever they encounter the brand.

a small studio has built Design Systems for several partners, and we are incredibly proud of our work. Still, we must add that a design system must match an organization's business maturity rather than lead it.

Starting too big or rigid risks slow adoption within teams. So, it is essential to start small- collaboratively building reusable elements from existing UIs into that "single source of truth" which slowly and intentionally gains authority over time.

A well-executed design system becomes the lifeblood of the user experience and not a limiting guardrail.

If you've made it this far, and your team needs a Design System, you know how to find us.

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Trust is nurtured and established over time, based on accumulating many small actions. The consistency of actions creates a baseline of synergy that elevates the output of any collaboration between parties. Trust needs to be recognized as not a trick or technique but more of a character trait with incredible influence.

"If you don't have trust inside your company, then you can't transfer it to your customers." -Roger Staubach

Imagine the collaboration of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, the iconic duo known as Daft Punk. They pioneered Nineties French house music with their disco-inspired, high-concept hits, setting the trend of producers dorning masks to encourage their audience to focus on nothing else but the music. Their Trust was carried through to their audience, who trusted them to influence Hip-Hop beautifully. Trust is a thread that weaves stories of growth, innovation, and influence, and we embrace it wholeheartedly at a small studio as an essential component of our relationships and partnerships.

Here are a few lenses through which we look at trust:

Trusted Systems

Trust is as fundamental to America's financial system as any other one globally. It is as critical as a foundation is to a skyscraper. The entire economic edifice, from the perceived value of currency to the reliance on banks, hinges on collective trust. In our creative pursuits, this principle translates into the faith our partners place in us, entrusting us with their projects, visions, and aspirations. We consider this Trust sacrosanct, ensuring that each project we undertake is more than just a business transaction; to us, it is a manifestation of a shared commitment to excellence. Our approach goes beyond delivering projects; we aim to build lasting relationships based on reliability, transparency, and mutual respect.

Trusted Processes

Our framework of Identity Architecture is a testament to the power of trust in processes. We have honed a workflow where trust is the linchpin at every stage - from conceptualization to the final execution. This begins with trusting our creative instincts to explore unconventional ideas while listening to our partners, and it extends to trusting in the meticulous planning and execution phases we operate. Our partners are integral to this process; their Trust in our approach transforms the creative journey into a shared adventure. This mutual trust streamlines decision-making, encourages transparent communication, and minimizes delays, ensuring that the creative process is as enjoyable as it is productive. The result is a body of work that meets and often exceeds expectations.

Trusted Leadership

A leadership style deeply rooted in trust is at the helm of a small studio. Our leadership and every team member embodies trust, not just in their words but in their actions too, fostering an environment where creative freedom and responsibility coexist harmoniously. They trust in each other's abilities, encouraging experimentation and learning from successes and setbacks. This leadership approach creates a ripple effect throughout the studio, instilling confidence and driving innovation. Leaders who trust their teams empower them to take ownership, leading to higher motivation and better outcomes. Our trust-based leadership is not about relinquishing responsibility, but guiding and supporting a team of skilled professionals to achieve their best work. It's about leading by example, demonstrating that when trust is given, it is returned manifold through loyalty, creativity, and excellence.

Trusted Relationships

The trust we share within our team and extend to our partners is critical. This trust is akin to the electric symphony on Daft Punk and Panda Bear's "Doin' it Right" track, where the rhythm is beautifully harmonious, not out of compulsion (of their egos), but from a place of mutual respect and confidence in each other's abilities. This trust nurtures open communication and cultivates a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered regardless of their role. It's an environment that encourages even the most junior member to confidently propose ideas and critique anyone else's work in ways that only strengthen team dynamics and solidify partner relationships. All our partners can tell a commitment to excellence unites us.

With us, trust is the essence that fuels our creativity. It allows us to experiment boldly, collaborate effectively, and deliver exceptional results. Trust is not incidental; it's meticulously cultivated through every interaction, every project, and every Identity we nurture or craft with our partners.

Everything starts with Identity, but it is "Built on Trust," which empowers the transformation of visions into reality, ideas into innovations, and partnerships into lasting legacies.

Until next Ding! Stay Creative

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Diversity has become a competitive necessity in today's global work ecosystem, not just a moral imperative. Being slow to identify the influence it wields significantly limits the growth of any organization.

As a fully remote studio with a diverse team enriched with different lived experiences and perspectives, we continue to notice how robust insights are, how left-field our innovations quickly become, and how solutions devised for our partners benefit immensely. So, today, we explore how diversity as a strategy influences what we do for our partners and community of creatives.

We have realized that diversity on most teams often has two forms: Inherent and Acquired. Inherent Diversity refers to traits people are born with, i.e., gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. In contrast, Acquired Diversity refers to characteristics gained from experiences, whether working or living in another country to appreciate cultural nuances or extensively working across specific demographics to empathize and establish fluid connections.

Teams need both types of diversity to empower their perspective and sustain lifelong innovation. We have both covered and continue to strive to continue to build on it.

Global Readiness

Embracing diverse cultures and backgrounds uniquely positions organizations to understand global markets, which is a considerable advantage. According to a Forbes study, 85% of executives agree that a diverse and inclusive workforce encourages different perspectives and ideas. This global perspective is invaluable for teams aiming to expand their reach and resonate with various consumer bases worldwide. We see this consistently at a small studio when we work with clients of diverse interests; we always have extensive inherent and acquired diversity on the team to ease resonance.

Elevated Accessibility

Diversity ensures products work for varied audiences. When design teams reflect the demographics of real-world users, they consistently identify more potential issues earlier. Diverse perspectives allow for more efficient anticipation of the needs of communities. Our product design and digital development team members are often in open brainstorming sessions with various thinkers when building to extract extra layers of actionable insights that optimize the end products. It is always such a joy to witness the delight in the eyes of our partners when the final design solutions are presented.

Winning Formation

Prioritizing diversity leads to the formation of a team and working environment that embraces varied skill sets and backgrounds, attracting the most talented people from all over the world. It triggers a different level of value, engagement, and recognition. Research by McKinsey shows that ethnic/cultural diversity in teams correlates to a 33% likelihood of outperforming industry medians. The market seems to rewards organizations that embed diversity into their working culture. We are a small studio, and we have an eclectic and diverse team of creative talents. We can't deny that it is a winning formation that impacts our client relationships and the kind of community empowering projects we undertake.

The ease of working (in some instances) is what makes many team leaders or members want to work with individuals with similar backgrounds. Craving to only work with people who look like, talk like, or even think like them unfortunately breeds conformity and discourages innovative thinking. The comfort sort is often short-lived and a slippery slope.

Consistently expanding the pool of members on the team in the representation of different genders, nationalities, races, and sexual orientations remains critical to elevating any organization's intellectual prowess, especially in the increasingly interconnected business world where collaborations and transactions are borderless.

A more diverse team keeps biases in check and encourages the questioning of assumptions. Everyone needs to feel that sense of belonging on your team, allowing them to speak their minds freely and contribute without feeling like they are not being heard. When well encouraged, teams are incredibly more innovative and more efficient in attaining organizational goals and even proffering solutions for partners.

Keep Mixing things up for good!

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Our core mission at a small studio is using our gift of design to bring peace to our partners.

We also strive every day to embody our core values;

• Grace (Empathy)
• Enthusiasm
• Child-like Wonder
• Radical Transparency
• Sense of Belonging

With the growth of generative AI within the design industry, it can be a challenging environment to navigate the intricate and nuanced application of these technologies into our day to day processes, design expertise, consulting presence, and partnership value drivers. Therefore, it was important that we approach our team's internal policy towards the usage of generative AI with our mission and values at the forefront of our decision making process.

We have developed guidelines for the utilization of generative AI, as well as how and when to use it within our processes;

1. It is imperative that we uphold the core values of a small studio within all decision making around the utilization of generative AI within our internal and external processes.
2. At the forefront of our intention to keep creativity authentic and for the good of the creative culture in general. We will not generate artwork or support the generation of sampled artwork via a generative AI tool.
3. We must clearly define what within our processes is creation vs iteration. Creation often refers to the act of bringing something new into existence, while iteration implies making repeated refinements or variations on an existing concept. Creativity must be approached absent of LLM inputs, while iteration can include LLM inputs via applications of enhancing, reformatting or scaling authentically created work.
4. Employ generative AI tools that strictly adhere to intellectual property protection guidelines, steer clear of an LLM that utilizes the proprietary data of our clients or internal IP, and ensure a thorough examination of terms and conditions before implementing any generative AI resource.
5. The essence of creativity eludes definition until it manifests in the act of physical production. While technology may assist in ideation, the act of creation must remain genuine.
6. If an LLM tool exists that helps to speed up a process with great value-adds to our client stakeholders and this tool does not jeopardize our best practice guidelines, we should consider the application of the tool within our processes. This includes commoditized processes (no code development, visual scaling, and image enhancements).

In a world obsessed with data, the most distinctive advantage comes from a deeper understanding of people. Many business leaders must embrace the soul-making process for themselves, their teams, and the entire organization.

The business landscape went through an obsession with big data a while back, and now it is buried neck-deep in the data capabilities of Large Language Models and Artificial intelligence and its endless application to quickly creating products (without souls). It is an experience economy we live in, so core identities must be established before crunching data and assuming it is a well-rounded view of how humans see the world.

A human-first approach will always be the key to unlocking maximum value. It allows for a greater understanding of the identity behind the data points. Business leaders today need to make a transformational leap to build more organically for the ecosystem- Moving from purely data strategies to identity-driven design strategies. This pivot empowers them to move from the 'What' and 'when' to 'why' and 'how'- where human resonance is established.

Data can provide valuable directional insights. But it fails to capture the entire essence of human experience and meaning. When people are reduced to data points in a spreadsheet, we lose sight of the nuances of identity that drive behavior. Providing superficial understandings and generic solutions optimized for hypothetical average users, not actual individuals- nobody wants that.

Harley-Davidson has a market capitalization value of $4.10 billion today, which is only possible because of an identity that was carefully crafted and cultivated. They could have focused on only providing well-engineered motorcycles for bikers, based on data points. Still, they went far beyond to tap into identity expressions of freedom, adventure, and rebellion. Harleys have never been about functional provision for transportation but an identity.

To build the iconic and distinctive brands of the future, leaders must ask simple but critical questions that get them to their intrinsic motivations;

• Why do we exist?
• Why are these our values?
• How do we represent a greater purpose?

This self-discovery process allows authentic connection with self and target customers during product development. Indeed, Identity-driven designs are never limited to quantitative data analysis; it values qualitative insight infused with the lived realities of people.

Data can guide us to where people are, but understanding identity will reveal why they are there, what they seek, and how they relate to the world. Business leaders have to intertwine identity with data to unlock the potential that creates brands that do not just compete but truly connect.

Empathic-driven methods like ethnography, journaling, and interviews allow for more nuanced identity exploration. These are most of our approaches at a small studio; using our trademarked Identity Architecture Framework, we build an identity narrative for our partners, which informs all of our Design work.

The future belongs to businesses that recognize this distinction.

Empathy is a cultivatable skill that galvanizes teams, drives positive organizational culture, and impacts the bottom line favorably. Business leaders need to recognize its power and wield it in the best interest of their organization. By deploying empathy appropriately, an organization can propel unbelievable levels of success.

Client satisfaction is improved with empathy, team collaboration, and engagement are multiplied in effectiveness by this seemingly simple soft skill. Leaders must consistently re-assess their leadership style to foster empathy and recognize if it is being deployed genuinely.

We are going on about empathy, so let's define the word as subtly and elaborately as possible for more context;

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of someone or something else. It is a potent behavioral catalyst that creates a conducive environment where creativity and productivity can thrive internally and externally.

Leaders who demonstrate high empathy can unlock higher motivation, engagement, and team performance levels. A recent study found that employees who feel their managers relate to them with empathy experience:

• 73% greater job satisfaction
• 50% higher productivity
• 63% higher engagement levels

These indicators highlight how much of a competitive advantage empathy provides, translating into substantial bottom-line benefits.

On a contrasting level, employees with low-empathy managers are more likely to quit their jobs, with turnover costs estimated at 150% of the departing employee's salary. So, it is quite an expensive venture to overlook the importance of empathy. Losing employees with incredible skills often sets back organizations on client projects being executed, which impacts revenue.

We have collated a few simple but highly effective ways for leaders to integrate empathy into their management style based on our experience and some best practices experts favor. We have chosen to do this because our staff retention rate is incredibly high (against the creative industry odds), and we even have creatives on our team who expressly say;

‍“I am working here forever…Never leaving!”.

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We must be doing something right,so here are our recommendations;

Listen Intently:  We know you are busy as a leader; a million things are crossing the neurons in your brain, but make time for one-on-one conversations where you can focus entirely on understanding each team member's needs and perspectives without distractions or judgment.

Get Personal: You are dealing with another human being and not a robot (we hope). So, get to know your line report as a person and not just another worker. Share stories and make personal connections. Most people stay at their jobs because of their managers and not necessarily their earnings.

Implement Compassion: How does the famous saying by Alexander Pope go again; "To err is human, to forgive divine." People will make mistakes, so instead of judging them harshly, re-examine the system, address the issue patiently, and offer support to help them improve.

Encourage Openness: Fear is a terrible ingredient when mixed into leadership. It makes it difficult for your team to share concerns and challenge the status quo without fear of negative consequences. So, set a culture that fosters the warmth of open communication and feedback. Set the stage to be trusted.

It takes a lot of effort to lead with empathy, but it enables authentic human connection that brings out the best in the people you lead. With it, your level of employee retention is on the rise, productivity is consistent, and profitability is positively impacted. It remains a compelling advantage to have in this talent-driven competitive landscape.

‍Go grow with empathy!

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