How I more than doubled my Noun Project passive income

First, don’t get the wrong idea. This means my royalties went from $7.16 (in February 2015) to $18.24 (in February 2016)—or basically the difference between a beer alone and beers with a friend!
Ditch the electronic planner and boost your productivity

My name is Joanna and I use a paper planner. Gasp, I know. Last year, I ditched my app/online/digital planning tools in favor of good old pen and paper.
New studio, fresh perspective

Confession: Working out of my home for 15 years was starting to drive me a little nuts. So this spring, I started sharing a studio with a photographer friend at the Delavan Center.
When to say yes to pro bono work

It’s no secret that I love Twitter, Instagram, and Central New York. Saying yes to an opportunity to do a little pro bono design for this year’s #ShowUsCNY14 event was a no brainer for me. But what about those times when the answer isn’t so clear?
The Gould Hotel | Recent work

Welcome back to The Gould! The logos and signage are part of an ongoing rebrand of The Gould Hotel in Seneca Falls, New York.
Where my best ideas come from…

Step away from the computer! That’s my number one rule for inspiration. So, when local calligrapher Christie Jones of Swell Anchor Studio bedsidesign announced her intro workshop on modern calligraphy, I jumped at the chance to learn something new in a live class setting.
Print vs. electronic books? How the choice affects design and your bottom line

How will this be published? is one of the first questions I ask clients who want to make a book. Why? It influences design choices and has a huge impact on your bottom line.
Why the mirror is the #1 enemy of your brand

How can a homemade pizza party and drinks with friends turn into a lesson on branding? Let me tell you a little story…
Is pursuit of perfection ruining your momentum?

In print design, a job doesn’t go to print until it’s as close to perfection as possible. In web design, it’s acceptable—almost the norm—to launch then tweak. If something doesn’t perform as expected, you can change it. It’s one of the hardest things for me to wrap my head around when I do web work […]
What Walt Disney taught me about work and love

In 2012, I resolved to work smarter and with more love, to raise the bar on creativity, and to deliver more every day for my clients and myself. This year also marked my first-ever trip to Disney World. What do these things have in common, you ask?