Blog
Tips, tutorials & design trends
What we talk about in the initial consultation
If you are interested in our branding or website design services, please contact us and give us a bit of background information about your project. After we review the preliminary details, we will ask you to schedule a 30 minute phone call with us where we can answer any questions that you have about working together. Many clients come to us without much knowledge or ever having worked with a designer or developer before, and we are happy to walk you through the process and to show different examples and offer options. read more…
When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade: Protecting Your Brand in the Age of Cybersquatting
Running a business for decades teaches you lessons you never expected to learn—especially when it comes to trademarking your brand, name, and reputation online.
2026 Graphic & Web Design Trends: Where Futurism Meets Humanity
AI and futuristic styling are becoming an increasingly visible part of everyday life, and UX design and website development are evolving alongside it. Interfaces are becoming more minimal, more sophisticated, and more intelligent. But design trends are often reactionary. As technology advances, graphic design is simultaneously swinging in the opposite direction—toward work that feels more human, imperfect, emotional, and retro. read more…
Why I Went to Romania: A Transylvania Road Trip Story
“Why Romania?”
I get asked this question a lot, and the answer isn’t a simple one. My curiosity began more than five years ago after reading an article in Condé Nast Traveler. At first, Romania seemed like the perfect fall destination — mysterious, atmospheric, and tied to Dracula legends around Halloween. But once I arrived, I quickly realized vampires are only a tiny part of Romania’s story. read more…
Bold Color Palettes, Gradients, and Illustration in Modern Brand Design
Staying on top of web design trends is one of the most important parts of my work—and one of the parts I enjoy most. Much like studying art history in college, modern design reflects what’s happening in society, but in a more accessible, everyday way. The best modern web design balances current trends with individuality, allowing your personality to shine through while helping you connect with your audience in an authentic, relatable way. read more…
The Evolution of WordPress Website Design
It’s been interesting to watch the evolution of WordPress websites in this industry, especially as it’s become easier for clients to take control of maintaining their own websites if they choose to. While many platforms advertise that building a website is simple, custom WordPress website design is rarely as effortless as it’s made out to be. A professional design and build helps eliminate the steep learning curve—allowing your site to be set up correctly from the start and giving you the confidence to manage updates and content moving forward. read more…
Contact Forms vs. Direct Email: Ensuring You Never Miss a Message
While we love the modern aesthetic of a custom contact form, our agency prioritizes reliability above all else. After years of testing and development, we now recommend using a direct email button by default for new projects.
The goal of your website is communication. While forms look professional, they introduce technical variables that can sometimes hinder message delivery. read more…
The emotional impact of color
Although I have a lot of black in my wardrobe, I love color, and am very inspired by it. I’ll often just see a random combination of vegetables on a stand at the farmer’s market, interior design in the background of a movie, or editorial pages on Pinterest, and I’ll snap a photo or take a screenshot for later reference. When designing for a client, if they have a favorite color, or combination, then I’ll use that as a starting point if possible, and often when there is a professional photo to be used, that will set the tone for the rest of the look and a complementary or contrasting color scheme to be used throughout. read more…
Woo (Hoo!) Commerce
People have been asking us for years if we create ecommerce websites, and now finally… we do! (I mean… John does.) A WooCommerce shopping cart is made to integrate with WordPress and is a great way to sell your products. This is a free open-source plugin which allows us to access and customize the code to your specific needs. As with any other website, You’ll need a domain and an SSL certificate, then we can install WordPress and the WooCommerce plugin and add your products. read more…
6 Essential Elements of a Professional Brand Identity
Creating a professional brand identity is like assembling a complex puzzle. It’s easy to say, “I like green,” or “I prefer sans-serif fonts,” but how do these individual pieces work together to tell your story?
A successful brand strategy captures what you want to convey to the world and ensures your audience identifies with your mission. Here are the core elements we use to build a signature personality for your business.
read more…
Instagram changes
New Instagram Grid Dimensions: How to Adapt to the 4:5 Vertical Layout
You may have noticed a significant shift in your Instagram feed: the classic 1:1 square ratio is being phased out in favor of a 4:5 vertical ratio (1080 x 1350 pixels). This update aligns the profile grid more closely with the vertical nature of Reels and Stories, creating a more seamless mobile experience. read more…
From “Quiet Luxury” to Bold Minimalism: What 90s Movies Teach Us About Design Trends
The other night, while having dinner at my mom’s house, we decided to put on a movie. My mom suggested Basic Instinct. I asked, “Are you sure?” (She thought it was the one with the rabbit—that’s Fatal Attraction). We watched it anyway, joking our way through the racy scenes.
One thing that struck me was Sharon Stone’s wardrobe. It was the perfect embodiment of the “quiet luxury” trend that’s been everywhere lately. Except in 1992, they just called it minimalism. read more…
STAY IN THE LOOP
Our monthly newsletter shares design inspiration, web and tech tips, and behind-the-scenes studio insights—delivered with the occasional exclusive offer.