giving your brand a strategic kick in the butt.
Blending your vision with strategic action to build a brand that captures attention and is worth talking about.
Your brand should fuel your momentum, not slow your progress. My branding process makes every creative decision purposeful–inspiring growth, staying aligned to your values, and resonating with your ideal buyers.
turning “meh” into “holy wow!” one brand at a time.
→ 2,768 SIGHS OF RELIEF
→ 1,033 TEARS OF JOY FALLEN
→AAS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN + A FEW SHINY CERTIFICATES
Branding should feel like a killer dance move — natural, effortless, and totally you.
It can be intuitive and simple, like Tina’s signature twerk.
But it doesn’t always come naturally…
As the proud business owner you are, you’re the creative powerhouse. The ideas flow freely, but the excitement often leaves you feeling fuzzy and unclear… you’re too antsy in the brain to map out the next steps.
[Kirstin enters the chat]
weird but nice
🤓
weird but nice 🤓
i’m kirstin
I had absolutely no boundaries and was on an 8th round of a logo design.
(I was a baby designer, cut me some slack.)
The client knew exactly what they wanted, but also… not since we were on the 8th revision?
I’m NOT exaggerating.
But I was exhausted.
Creating a brand shouldn’t be this hard, or take countless revisions.
I immediately took a brand strategy course, and started buying books about brand strategy and psychology. My entire approach changed –
I started asking more questions to help me better understand my clients business, who is buying from them, and their goals. And through discussion, we both began to understand the business and general direction it is growing.
Knowing these insights helps me create brands my clients love (and understand) with sometimes no revisions needed after the first proof.
I understand that you didn’t start your business to get into branding, but when you commit the time to do the work to make your brand feel easier (or even hand it off to someone else) your brand becomes a lot less maintenance and easier to manage and grow.
SOME OF MY WORK:
facts.
butt-kicking
and Maybe-True Moments
Designed my first website by coding it with straight HTML and CSS. My project was on our very rural township and its history, which had a surprising 10+ businesses for maybe a few thousand people.
Decided on my entire career at random, skipped classes, failed gen-eds, and FINALLY started doing well when I shifted to arts and business.
Nicknamed myself “K-Rae Design” to design wedding invitations, flyers, and t-shirts. (Who nicknames themself?!)
Got fired from the local newspaper.
Pivoted to bartending (v lucrative) and pushed my freelancing, exploring shirt design and sublimation as K-Rae Design.
Designed the cover and interior layouts for two published books: Engaged: Pat Deluhery and The Golden Age of Democratic Party Activism by Pat Deluhery with Steve Dunn, and Answering the Call: A Tribute to Tri-State Area Veterans by various contributors.
I am no longer allowed (as of 2022) any beverages at my desk without a lid, especially if its in a “big cup”. If you ever see me lid-less, know I’m taking a huge risk of spilling it at the most inconvenient time and place.
If it is possible to hurt myself, I will. Like that time I was hiking to the lake in my $2 Old Navy flip flops (who does that 👀) and a homemade marg in my hands–red solo cup style. Of course I fell and hurt myself. BUT I didn’t spill any of my margarita.
Being a brand designer means I buy products based on their brand, and then will excitedly explain to my mom why its so amazing. I think she enjoys the perspective it gives!
Want to learn about how awful most fonts on billboard advertising are while on a road trip? Join my husband and I, two graphic designers, both opinionated af when it comes to design. WARNING: You may want us to stfu after an hour of this.
I will always try anything once. Just to see if I like it, ya know? 😏 Especially when it comes to food, not so much hard drugs. #IYKYK
I see you’re still here after all those fun facts.
😏
WHAT’LL TICKLE YOUR PICKLE?
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Intuitive and simple branding. Learn more.
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90 minute strategy session for early stage entrepreneurs. Learn more.
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Email community where you can grow your brand with 10 minutes each week, plus a music recommendation. Learn more.
you got scrappy with your branding,
but I bet it’s starting to feel a little sticky these days…
We simplify the complexities of branding by talking about what’s holding you back and then rebuild – together!
This isn’t about adding more to your plate–it’s about creating a clear plan that reveals the bones of your brand, and shows you exactly how to keep building and growing.
We’re a good fit if…
You love the idea of graduating from DIYing, but are dead set on having a brand that’s low-lift to manage and easy to grow. Good or bad, you’re ready for the town to talk about you! (Well, preferably good…)
An invitation to word vomit all over me feels like a relief, because I’ll organize it all into your next steps.
You’re a fellow drink goblin and prefer a minimum of three options at all times.
Think of me as your strategic ally in ‘The Circle’ of branding:
#NoMoreIckySticky ideas when it comes to your brand. 🚨