Brennan McGuigan

Collaborative Process to Deliver Strategic Design Solutions UNDERSTANDING CLIENT NEEDS It is important to begin each project by conducting in-depth discovery sessions, including delving deep into each client's unique needs and goals. This will foster a true partnership beyond surface-level design work. STRATEGIC PLANNING Based on these insights, I work with clients to develop a tailored design strategy that aligns with their business objectives. Whether I am creating print materials, materials for an event, or a brand refresh, planning makes the magic happen. ITERATIVE DESIGN Throughout the design process, I maintain open lines of communication, encourage feedback, and make adjustments to ensure the final product meets and exceeds expectations. INNOVATION AND MULTI-FUNCTIONAL My designs aim to be both visually striking and functionally effective. We then show you how else we can use the designs to give you more bang for your buck. DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS I believe in developing lasting relationships with clients. Many clients have been with me for years, relying on Ruzow Graphics for ongoing design support as their businesses evolve and grow. Businesses and marketing departments hire us to plan and execute spot-on creative for complex, multi-deliverable projects, such as annual reports and appeal materials, branding systems, trade show & event materials, and marketing collateral. WHAT CAN WE DESIGN FOR YOU? 👉🏻 Reach out if you need a design partner to bring magic to your marketing and development materials ------ 👋🏻 I'm Nancy, Principal Designer of Ruzow Graphics, coach for creative business owners, and adjunct professor of Typography 💥 I help non-profits, higher ed, and marketing teams with design that connects the dots between your brand and your audience ------ #graphicdesign #graphicdesigner #designpartner #annualreportdesign #brochuredesign #logodesign #brandrefresh Erin Halper, Champion of Independent Consultants The Upside

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I'll be attending this too! CREATIVES ROUNDTABLE colleagues -- just a heads up for this webinar. For all my creative colleagues, please attend. PaperSpecs always delivers great content, whether paid or free. I always up my game with printing and print techniques through their content. #FoilTechniques #LuxuryPrintDesign #FoilPrinting #MetallicFoilDesign #FoilStamping #CreativePrinting #ElevatedPrintDesign

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The annual "October Surprise" of big agencies doing Q4 layoffs last week was brutal; so many of my former coworkers from past agencies and friends were affected. The design world has certainly taken a beating over the past 18 months. It feels like my peers from the last few rounds of cuts haven't even found their footing yet, but here comes—again and without apologies—another wave of RIFs. First of all, I'm so sorry. Many of you were victims of ageism and politics, or a rapidly changing business landscape. I'd recommend following Cameron Day's wisdom from his trilogy of books to recognize that this isn't a bug—it's a feature of a sometimes ugly industry. Second, please let me know how I can help—need a recommendation? Need some downtime, a drink, a distraction? Don't hesitate—give me a shout! I have tremendous faith that this uncomfortable chapter of the design industry will oxygenate the market, introduce new design voices & start-ups, and will allow for brilliantly talented designers who have previously gone unrecognized to have their day in the sun; it's what we do: we invent, we create, we do the impossible. #design #layoffs #mentalhealth

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Far too many designers think they are ‘right’ and have to prove so to the client. They often fight for what ‘they’ want and try to make clients see it ‘their’ way. When clients experience that friction, they don’t feel heard and won’t feel like part of the process. Not good. We all know the client isn’t always right, but they also aren’t our opponents. We must teach them and direct them, but always be willing to listen to them. The goal is to collaborate, not win.

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In another installment of Creativepool’s ‘Getting to Know’ series, Bruce Mau Design's CCO Laura Stein shares her dreams for the future of the design industry, how she approaches collaboration with other creatives, what she believes makes for successful partnerships, and her top tips for other creative leaders. “Make time for thinking and making, or even just thinking. It's easy to get into a rut of running from thing to thing, meeting to meeting. And it doesn’t help keep you creative. Nurture culture. That doesn’t necessarily mean having lots of parties and afterwork drinks, but more about shared creative experiences, learning together, relying on each other, and definitely laughing together. Define “good”. It’s not the same for every agency or studio. Ensure people know what it is. Celebrate work that’s good.” Check out the full feature here: https://bit.ly/3SZ5A7g

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This article touches on some good points about feedback. But I think it needs to better emphasize the importance of working with young designers. Egos of all ages are fragile - not just the “young” designers. Communication is a skill that needs constant practice. More experienced designers may be under more pressure to deliver, but it is important to try to take the time to understand the perspective of the young designer. I am always reminded of the importance of context when talking to people of a different generation or culture. I don’t ever assume I have a clear vision of what is in their heads. Michael Hendry and I addressed this important topic in an upcoming episode of our Marketing Team Of One podcast. Tune in at marketingteamofone.com

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My website says, “With a focus on visually appealing and easy-to-read typography, we ensure your message is both seen and understood…” WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Typography isn't just about picking a font; it's an art and science that enhances readability while captivating the audience. KEY ELEMENTS OF TYPOGRAPHY Legibility and Readability: Text should be clear and easily distinguishable, with appropriate font choices, line lengths, and sizes that create a smooth reading experience. Your chosen fonts should align with your brand while remaining easy to process. Aesthetics: Beyond basic readability, typeface selection influences emotional response and sets the overall tone of your content, making it more engaging and appealing to your audience. DON’T FORGET LEADING Leading (the space between lines of text) affects both readability and mood—tighter spacing can appear more professional, while looser spacing creates a more relaxed feel. Proper leading helps guide readers smoothly through your content, enhancing your text's visual appeal and effectiveness. TYPE ELEVATES Whether refreshing your website, crafting marketing materials, or building your brand identity, thoughtful typography can transform your message from merely readable to truly memorable. Let's connect and discuss how strategic typography choices can help your content make a lasting impression. Share your typography challenges in the comments below! 👉🏻 Reach out if you need a design partner to bring magic to your marketing and development materials ------ 👋🏻 I'm Nancy, Principal Designer of Ruzow Graphics, coach for creative business owners, and adjunct professor of Typography 💥 I help non-profits, higher ed, and marketing teams with design that connects the dots between your brand and your audience ------ Erin Halper, Champion of Independent Consultants The Upside #DesignStrategy #Typography  #CreativeTypography #TypographyMatters #BrandDesign  #BrandIdentity #VisualCommunication  #DigitalMarketing #GraphicDesign #GraphicDesigner #AestheticDesign #ContentDesign #VisualCommunication #UserExperienceDesign

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🎯 Case Study: Transforming Thumbnails🎯 Check out before and after rule of a thumbnail design. Notice the increase in clarity and engagement! Before ➡️ After 📉 Lower Engagement ➡️ 📈 Higher Engagement Ready to see results? Let’s collaborate! #CaseStudy #BeforeAndAfter #ThumbnailDesign #CreativeTransformation #DesignSuccess Like if you want to see more valuable Knowledge! ❤️

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Exciting news! I just wrapped up designing a sleek, two-sided government brochure, and I couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out! 💼✍️ Whether you're in need of professional materials or just curious about design, this one’s worth checking out. Head over to my latest post for a closer look at the details! Let me know your thoughts—your feedback always helps me grow! 🙏 #BrochureDesign #GraphicDesign #illustratortutorial #adobeillustrator

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I've played around with Kittl. It's a decent design tool with AI options to generate vector elements as well as work with predesigned layouts (like Canva). Adding some good fonts is a great next step. https://lnkd.in/ertSURV4 #aiart #aiartwork #aicc #aicccreators #design #generativeart #generativeai

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Funny read if any of you "have" to design decks in Google Slides. Admittedly, we prefer that app over PowerPoint, but still... So, here are Laura Javier's top 6 weird things about GS: 1. All measurements are in inches, not pixels 2. It’s impossible to align text with images. Im-possible. 3. Because text boxes have built-in padding. Why? WHY? 4. Using arrow keys to nudge objects sends them to Timbuktu 5. List indentations look moronic 6. Dragging text boxes around is a nightmare (arrrgggh)

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Want to make a client more comfortable giving you design feedback? " Please feel free to share your thoughts on what you do & don’t like. Speak freely about whatever comes to mind, both good & bad are useful to us. You’re not going to hurt anyone’s feelings here, so have at it. " As a designer, you just have to be ready, willing, and able to hear whatever they have to say. You can’t take it personally. Remember… they do or don’t like the design options you presented, not you as a person. (Well, maybe they don’t like you personally, but that’s a different issue.) Try not to let it affect you, either way. Take your emotions and preferences off the table for a few minutes. Be open to feedback, take it all in, and give it another go for the next round. Open and honest feedback is an effective way to a desired solution that makes the client happy and serves their needs. Even if you don’t agree with the suggested direction, make them feel heard and don’t just ignore their request and say, “I tried that and it didn’t work.” Give it a shot and show the client why it doesn’t work compared to another option you put in front of them.

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Strap in and buckle up, creatives - the AI ride is preparing for turbulence. In today's issue of Godspeed I write about Pentagram, #AI, legendary design icons and more. #creative #design #socialimpact

The intersection of graphic design and generative AI is reshaping the creative landscape. Dive into CNBC's insightful article exploring why graphic designers believe AI needs their expertise as much as they need its innovation. At SketchDeck, we firmly believe that AI will not replace graphic designers but rather enhance their capabilities, allowing for more creativity and efficiency. Discover the dynamic partnership between human creativity and AI technology, and how it's driving the future of design. #GraphicDesign #AI #CreativeTechnology #Innovation #SketchDeck

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Mastery is Always Calculated and Not Random. Here is a 3-step video for Design Mastery. https://lnkd.in/d47UPxZw

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A valuable lesson for any designer looking to choose a niche or specific target client type. “ If you want to make more money, be more useful, to people who have more money. “ – Codie A. Sanchez Find the people who need what you have and are willing to pay top dollar for what you can do for them and their business — that they can’t do for themselves.

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Greetings, designers! 👋👋 Some of you may be wondering why I may be moving away from Adobe, or are searching for alternatives yourself. Find out how recent FTC actions are impacting the design industry and what alternatives I'm considering. 🖥️🚀 Stay informed and explore new tools for your creative projects. Read the full article now! 📚✨ #Adobe #DesignIndustry #FTC #CreativeTools #ProfessionalDevelopment #LinkedInLearning

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