2022 recap
One year of lessons, stats & milestones from a freelance brand designer & small business owner.
Gift guide for brand designers
A couple fun gift ideas for the designer/creative in your life!
how i use notion as a designer & small business owner
From the weekly agenda to the freelance dashboard- how I stay organized with Notion.
Breaking down brand archetypes
Brand archetypes are the patterns found in successful brands that enable them to become household names, withstand the test of time & connect even with cultural differences.
The benefits of hiring a brand designer vs Doing it yourself
When you’re starting off as a small business, you have to realize that your branding is an investment, just like any other business expense. It’s what helps your audience connect with your brand & brand designers help create that connection.
How to Come Up with the Right Brand Name for your Small Business
Picking a brand name can be a stressful task for any small business owner.
You need something simple & easily recognizable. Something that resonates with your audience & reflects your values, all at the same time.
I Rebranded!
Introducing balncd design! Here I talk a bit about the journey & the brand collaboration with The TMRW Collective.
Breaking down brand guidelines
Brand guidelines are a complete summary of your new branding & showcases how to use certain elements. Guides vary from business to business, but I’ll outline the main points to include.
The Best Ways to Build Up Your Design Portfolio
Your portfolio is your most important asset as a designer. It’s what ultimately gets you clients. Here are some ways to build up your portfolio & design skills.
The Process Behind Designing a Sportswear Brand
If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like for a brand designer to come up with their branding & logos, here’s a look into my process. From the creative brief to final branding.
My Step-by-Step Design Process
The brand design process may look different for everyone, but I’ll explain my process.
What is Brand Strategy & Why is it Beneficial for Small Businesses?
There are many ways to put together a brand strategy for clients or your own business. I’ll go over what works for me & offer a template at the end. But first, what is a brand strategy?
How a Brand Designer Plans Content for Social Media
Planning things out not only saved me time but mental space. I don't feel overwhelmed anymore at the idea of creating content unique to each platform. I'm not always thinking about what's next because I have it all written down. Now I have a constant flow of ideas & systems set up that I actually enjoy working on every day.
Why Branding is so Important for Small Businesses
Why is branding so important for small businesses? In short, branding is what sets you apart. It helps with brand awareness which can lead to brand loyalty.
How To Find Clients as a Beginner Freelance Brand Designer
How to get clients is the big question for beginner designers & even experienced freelancers. I talk about my experience & offer some tips to help you get clients.
Designer Resources I Wish I Had Before Starting
Here is my ultimate list of designer resources I wish I had when I started in the graphic design industry! From mockups & photography to job boards & design tools, everything a beginner brand designer would need to get started.
How to Start Freelancing in the Graphic Design Industry
So you’re interested in becoming a graphic designer but don’t know where to start? There are many paths to the design industry, I’ll explain the steps I took to get there.
My Journey from Artist to Brand Designer
My Journey from Artist to Brand Designer. My design story starts with my art story. Before Made by Haley Design, there was just Made by Haley.