New Venture Design Studio

Let’s talk passion projects!

They’re the ideas that keep pulling at your curiosity while you’re knee-deep in client work . . . and sometimes, when there’s no client work at all, they’re how you create the kind of work you want to be hired for.

Passion projects aren’t just great for creative exploration. They’re a chance to see what sparks your interest, push your style, and build the kind of portfolio that attracts your dream clients.

For me, that became Moonwake—a mysterious, late-night cocktail bar inspired by New Orleans, moonlight, and a little bit of magic. 🍸🌙

No briefs, no feedback loops. Just a brand driven by mood, texture, and the need to set something wild and untamed free (cue the wolf).

The exciting part? I got so far into this project that I kept asking myself ‘what if’ because I can totally see this cocktail bar existing in real life!

So, if work’s been quiet or you’ve been sitting on an idea for a while, take this as your sign to start. Whatever you do, don’t stop creating because you never know who might stumble across your work and find that your design style is exactly the kind they’ve been searching for.

Fresh from the studio, here's a little preview for the full brand reveal coming soon. You could say the vibe is a little enchanting and a bit ... refreshing 🍸🌙

Thinking about hiring a brand designer soon? 🎨

I get it — branding is exciting! You’re ready to bring your vision to life, and you just want to get started. But before you reach out to a designer, let’s make sure you’ve got the basics on your end covered in order to have a successful project outcome.

This will include things like:

📝 Defining your brand goals and measurable outcomes.

👥 Knowing who your target audience is, and how your product/service will make their lives better.

🥊 Researching your competitors, and documenting their strengths and weaknesses within the market (and how your business compares against them).

🔍 Auditing your current brand (if you have one) and being honest with yourself about what’s working vs what’s not.

Overall, these steps aren’t just busywork — they help to make the design process smoother, faster, and way more effective.

Covering these basics beforehand will also lead to a more productive first meeting between you and the designer.

So, have you done the groundwork yet? If not, no worries — I’m here to help! 😉 Use the link in my bio to schedule a FREE 30-minute discovery call where we’ll discuss your business, goals, and services that best support your needs.