When to Hire an Agency vs. an Independent Designer (and How the Cost Compares)
Agencies, independents, or something in between — a practical guide to who to hire for design work, when each option fits, and what they cost in 2026.
Santa Fe, NM
I live and work in Santa Fe, NM. Here are some projects for local business in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.
Read MoreWhen to Hire an Agency vs. an Independent Designer (and How the Cost Compares)
How Long Does a Rebrand Actually Take? A Realistic Timeline
A small-business rebrand takes three to six months of calendar time when decisions move on pace. Here's the phase-by-phase breakdown, and what stretches or shortens it.
Three Sites, One Family: What a Side Project Taught Me About Sister Brands
How a workplace ritual at N3B Los Alamos turned into three public-facing sites — and what building a sister-brand system at miniature scale teaches about the same problem at enterprise scale.
Color Psychology Is Oversold: What Actually Matters When Choosing Brand Colors
Color psychology oversells universal meanings. The research says what actually matters is whether a color fits the brand's category and concept — here's what to focus on instead.
How to Budget for a Brand Project When You’ve Never Hired a Designer
Brand identity for a small business typically costs $5,000–$30,000 in 2026. Here is what each piece actually costs, where to spend first if the budget is tight, and the two mistakes to avoid.
How to Write a Creative Brief That Saves Everyone Time
A creative brief is a business document, not a design document. Here are the six things it needs, what to leave out, and why you are the only person qualified to write it.
What Makes a Santa Fe Brand Look Like Santa Fe (Without the Cliches)
Turquoise, sunsets, and kokopelli are not Santa Fe — they are the souvenir version. Here is what actually makes a brand read as deeply local instead of decorated.
What a Brand Style Guide Should Actually Contain (and What’s Filler)
Most brand style guides are too long to be useful. Here are the five sections that earn their keep, the four that are usually filler, and a one-page version you can build today.
Why Your Logo Should Be the Last Thing You Design
Designing a logo before you've written a brand strategy is how small businesses end up paying for two rebrands. Here's the order that saves you the second lap.