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This edition of Creative Corner dives into the intersections of design, culture, and innovation—with a few sharks circling for good measure. We spotlight the Jaws 50th Anniversary exhibition on Martha’s Vineyard, a summer-long celebration packed with immersive events, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and film history right where Spielberg made waves. Next, we turn to CreativePro Week, a leading conference for designers, art directors, and digital creatives navigating today’s s

This month’s Creative Corner  brings together a fresh mix of cultural highlights, design inspiration, and behind-the-scenes studio updates—all shaped by a season of creativity in motion. From museum nights in Washington, D.C. to typography conferences in Portland, this issue spotlights the events and trends shaping the design world as we move into summer. We begin with Solstice Saturday, the Smithsonian’s annual summer celebration on the National Mall. With extended museum ho

This July edition of Creative Corner  is all about exploration—creative, historical, and literal. From researching antique maps for A Vintage Affair 2026  to developing discovery decks for emerging boating brands, the studio has been steeped in nostalgia, travel-inspired visuals, and new directions in brand strategy. Summer inspiration has been plentiful, especially with time spent on the water—my favorite place to reset and recharge the creative engine. We kick off with Bubb

The August edition of Creative Corner  centers on building momentum for the months ahead—strategically, creatively, and within the community. Between travel for new business meetings, ongoing partnerships in the golf and luxury space, and groundwork for fall projects, the studio has been focused on deeper connections and long-term vision. It’s been a month of planning, refining, and rediscovering what fuels meaningful creative work. We begin with Art All Night, Washington, D.

This September edition of Creative Corner  is rooted in thoughtful transition—new offerings, new clients, and a renewed creative rhythm as summer gives way to fall. From adding a mentoring section to the Schweitzer Designs website to taking on deeper work inside the automotive supplier world, this month has been about meaningful pivots and the groundwork that enables bigger moves ahead. We start with the State Fairs: Growing American Craft exhibition at the Renwick Gallery in

The October edition of Creative Corner  brings together a powerful mix of cultural inspiration, design trends, and studio milestones—reflecting a month deeply rooted in craftsmanship, storytelling, and premium brand experiences. With major creative pushes in the luxury golf world and a welcomed return to automotive design, the studio has been focused on elevating touchpoints across digital and physical spaces. Fall in D.C. comes with its own renewed creative energy, and this

The November edition of Creative Corner  lands at that familiar crossroads of closing chapters and setting up what’s next. With year-end deadlines approaching and new projects taking shape, the studio has been focused on refining final details, mapping priorities for early 2026, and carving out space to recharge. A week in Iceland offers the perfect reset before returning home for Thanksgiving and a strong creative finish to the year. We open with the Umbrella Art Fair, retur

Once a practical fix for small-size printing, ink traps are now a bold design statement. Designers exaggerate these notches to create typefaces with distinctive edges and personality, blending vintage functionality with a fresh, modern aesthetic that stands out in branding and packaging.

The July issue of the Creative Corner was fueled by exploration—digging into antique maps for A Vintage Affair 2026 and creating “discovery decks” for boating brands ready to make a splash. Exhibit pick: Bubble Planet , an immersive, joy-filled DC installation. Conference spotlight: CreativeMornings Baltimore on July 25, exploring archives and storytelling. Trend watch: ink traps as bold, modern type features. Designer to watch: UK logo visionary Made by James . Studio rec

Gradients are back with bold color shifts and texture-like effects. Brands are now using them as primary design elements, creating dynamic logos and engaging digital experiences. The trend blends fluid transitions with sharp typography or geometric shapes, balancing fluidity with structure to tell richer visual stories.

The June issue of the Creative Corner blends coastal inspiration with high-impact design and cultural celebration. Steph shares a studio update full of nostalgic rebranding, moodboards, and new launches—including a bold digital ad campaign advocating for broadband equity in West Virginia. It spotlights Solstice Saturday at the Smithsonian, the upcoming TypeCon typography conference, and the resurgence of bold, gradient-driven design. Plus, there's a summer playlist pick to ke

Doodles are evolving into intentional brand elements-moving from casual sketches to strategic visual tools. When thoughtfully integrated with typography and layout, they add personality and human touch, creating a curated sense of imperfection that feels authentic. No longer just playful accents, they now serve as core design elements that balance charm with professionalism.

The May issue of the Creative Corner dives into storytelling, nostalgia, and future-facing innovation. It spotlights the 50th anniversary celebration of Jaws on Martha’s Vineyard, a summer-long tribute to the iconic film. It also highlights CreativePro Week, a conference for design pros navigating an evolving creative landscape, and the rising trend of purposeful doodles in branding. This month’s artist pick features Spinweber Strategies, a leader in experience marketing, wh

Patterns are now a key part of brand identity, moving beyond backgrounds to create a cohesive, recognizable look. Custom designs-bold or subtle-add depth and personality across platforms, reinforcing brand values. From packaging to digital assets, patterns help brands stand out with a distinct and consistent visual language.

The April issue of the Creative Corner explores how creativity fuels connection and progress. It features the Glenstone Museum’s newly refreshed exhibits, the upcoming Creative Works West conference in Seattle, and a trend spotlight on the rising role of patterns in brand identity. Steph also highlights BERO, a beautifully designed non-alcoholic beer brand, and shares a recent ad campaign for Autos Drive America that celebrates community, craftsmanship, and economic impact. F

Surrealism collage design blends dreamlike imagery, unexpected juxtapositions, and symbolic elements to challenge reality and spark curiosity. Layering photography, illustration, and bold typography, it creates striking visuals for branding, editorial, and digital media. Floating objects, metamorphic elements, and unconventional colors transform the familiar into thought-provoking narratives.

This March issue of the Creative Corner celebrates cultural roots, imaginative design, and purpose-driven work. It spotlights the newly opened Go-Go Museum in D.C., dives into the upcoming Adobe Summit focused on customer experience and AI, and explores the surrealist collage trend reshaping visual storytelling. It also highlights Solex Coaching for goal-setting with intention and offers a peek into a thoughtful rebrand for a modern contracting company, where craftsmanship me

February Newsletter: Design Trend - Utilitarian Style This month, we explore the utilitarian style in design, a trend that emphasizes functionality, simplicity, and practicality. Utilitarian design strips away unnecessary embellishments, focusing instead on the essential aspects of form and function. Key Characteristics of Utilitarian Design Functionality: Every element serves a purpose, ensuring that designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional. Si

This issue of the Creative Corner is all about hands-on creativity and bold design. It features interactive local art experiences from iCREATE DMV, a look ahead to the Creative South conference, and a trend spotlight on utilitarian design inspired by technical aesthetics. Plus, it highlights a fun printmaking kit called inkBlox and shares a behind-the-scenes peek at a refined, high-end real estate presentation redesign. For a full read, please go to: https://mailchi.mp/c604c8

As we move into 2025, the design landscape continues to evolve, with minimal type emerging as a prominent trend. This approach emphasizes simplicity, clarity, and functionality in typography, making it a favorite among designers and brands aiming for a clean aesthetic. Key Characteristics of Minimal Type Clean Lines: Typography features simple, geometric shapes that enhance readability. Limited Color Palette: Often utilizes monochromatic or neutral tones to maintain a minim