featured postsHOT TIPS, COOL BRANDS, AND A LITTLE LIFE STUFF TOO
From Amazon-heavy sales to a brand built for long-term growth, see how we helped Ava & Oliver create a playful brand identity and semi-custom Shopify website designed to attract direct-to-consumer shoppers and stand out in the crowded baby product market.
People love to say the midwest is lacking when it comes to design, and Iowa especially. As a proud Iowan, born and raised, I'm here to totes disagree. Des Moines might not be the most bustling city on the map, but there are spots here I've genuinely fallen in love with over the years. I rounded up a few of my faves.
If your website leaves potential clients guessing, they’re probably clicking away. These are the key questions every service-based business website should answer to build trust, communicate value, and turn curious visitors into confident inquiries.
What began as a sub-brand evolved into a full rebrand and name change. See how we transformed Elysian Co. into The Cove — a modern, coastal boutique identity built around custom typography, hand-drawn illustrations, and a destination-driven brand experience.
When I became a mom, I honestly felt like I was being punked.
Before my daughter, I spent so much of my time working because I genuinely love what I do. My business felt like my first baby. But after having her, my entire world flipped upside down (in the best way). My heart was suddenly living outside of my body, and I just couldn’t — or honestly didn’t want to — work the same way I had been.
I remember thinking, what are other moms doing? How is anything getting done?
Austin takes two things very seriously: good food and good taste. And the local business owners here are pouring into the details — the packaging, the signage, the fonts, the feeling of a space — in the best way possible.
From storefronts to shelves to menus with actual personality, Austin is full of spots that get good design.
Design school taught me that vector is king, icons are everything, and perfection is the goal — but running a branding studio taught me something very different. In this post, I’m sharing what I’ve had to unlearn about graphic design, branding systems, and working with real clients after graduating with a BFA in Graphic Design.
Choosing an email marketing platform doesn’t have to be complicated. In this post, we break down how your business model and website platform should guide the decision — why we recommend Flodesk for Squarespace-based, service-focused brands and Klaviyo for Shopify-powered e-commerce businesses. If you want email marketing that actually supports your website, sales, and long-term growth, this is where to start.
Kansas City has quietly become that girl when it comes to design. From packaging you want to keep forever to storefronts that stop you mid-walk, local businesses here are clearly paying attention to the details — and we love to see it. We rounded up some of our favorite KC spots creating (or curating) really good design. Think shelves, walls, menus, mugs, and everything in between.
Clear client communication is the difference between smooth, confident projects and constant back-and-forth. In this post, we’re breaking down five essential habits that improve your client experience, set better boundaries, and help you lead projects with clarity — without overexplaining or burning yourself out.
Friday Afternoons Co. creates paper goods that celebrate intentional time, creativity, and the small moments that matter. As the brand prepared to scale, it needed a visual identity that felt playful yet organized, joyful but credible. We partnered to develop thoughtful branding, messaging, and custom collateral that finally gives the brand room to grow without losing its heart.
Random updates, off-brand tweaks, and “just because” decisions are the fastest way to wreck a good website. Here’s how to avoid the mistakes that make sites feel messy, inconsistent, and in need of a redesign ASAP.
Your email signature isn’t just a name and number—it’s a mini brand moment every time you hit send. Learn how to create a polished, clickable, on-brand signature that builds credibility and drives clicks.
Your brand’s colors are more than just pretty shades. They set the vibe, evoke emotions, and make your business unforgettable. Learn how to choose a palette that’s strategic, consistent, and totally on-brand.
Doc Lizzie helps women feel confident and supported through pregnancy, postpartum, and pelvic health, but her branding didn’t fully reflect her modern, empowering approach. We created a playful, approachable brand identity with abstract, Matisse-inspired illustrations, a cohesive color palette, and clean typography — then brought it online with a website that makes her programs easy to navigate and digest.
Your logo is the MVP of your brand, but not the only player. We’re breaking down primary logos, secondary logos, and brand marks, plus where and how to use them so your brand looks polished, flexible, and totally on point everywhere.
2025 was the year of brands, so many sub-brands, babies, lots of growth, and diet coke.
To kick off the new year, my team and I decided to predict the trends we think will be big in 2026.
all about transitioning from a side-gig to a full-time freelancer
It’s one of the most asked questions I get — what was the transition like going from working a full-time, corporate job and having a side-gig to being a full-time freelancer? So let’s dive in!
brighten made is two!
Two years (and a day) ago, I decided to launch Brighten Made. Unsure of what would come of it and a little nervous of what others would think, I did it anyways. And I’m so glad I did. Here are 3 lessons I’ve learned in the past two years!
3 changes I made to my ever-evolving design process
When I look back at where I was a year ago in my business - my process in particular was so very different. Process in general is such a broad term that I could probably write about FOR DAYS, but in this post I want to share a few major shifts that I made over the past year and how it’s impacted my clients and my work.
a glimpse into our rainy-day wedding
How our rainy day wedding turned out to be the magical, garden-inspired day of our dreams.
7 lessons I learned from my first year as a full-time business owner
After one year of full-time self-employment there have been SO many highs and lows with so many learning points. So here are the top 7 lessons I learned from my first year as a full-time business owner.
brighten made is one!
A year ago today I launched Brighten Made. Since then #allthethings have changed both professionally and personally!
Wondering how to get design clients without chasing every trend or trying to copy what everyone else is doing? Learn why owning your unique design style is the key to attracting dream clients, building a recognizable portfolio, and standing out as a designer.