MUSE SPOTLIGHT

brynna nicole

graphic designer & branding specialist 

FAST FACTS

• Her boyfriend's cat, Jasmine, is her worst enemy and the love of her life. 
• She worked for the Green Bay Packers as a gameday photographer for three seasons. 
• Her favorite movie is Hitch - mainly because of the Benadryl scene. 
• She has never had a cup of coffee in her life. 

SOCIAL LINKS

FOLLOW & CONNECT WITH BRYNNA! 

so, to start things off, What made you want to be a graphic designer?

First off, I'm honored to be the first featured Muse! I love what this stands for and love connecting with other creatives and bloggers. But yes, back to the question... I don't even think I knew what graphic design was when I decided I wanted to make it my career. I remember driving with my family in our mini-van and I spotted a billboard that was super cluttered and hard to read. I started rearranging the content and the photos in my head, knowing that it could be more legible and attract travelers better if it was well designed. I think it was then that I realized I wanted to help communicate through design. Whether that be a singular message or an entire brand's aesthetic, I love that I am now able to encompass an energy and drive an emotion through my designs. 

How would you describe your approach to design?

I'm big on intention. It's one of the first things I ask my clients - 'Why do they want to do this? What does it stand for?' - My philosophy is that "every work of art has an intention that frames it and a story that builds it." That could translate from a single painting or drawing, all the way to what a brand represents and communicates. 

When it comes to being a designer, where do you draw inspiration from?

Dang, it's going to sound cliche, but I really do draw my inspiration from everything around me. Whether that be people, places I travel, or the leaf pile on the side of the street after a really windy day. I love taking the simplest everyday things/moments/ideas and making people look at them differently - which can go hand-in-hand in how I design. 

What would you say is your strongest skill?

I would have to say my strongest skill is the way I work with typography and layouts/composition. I remember in 7th grade my art teacher told me I have a very strong eye for balance and negative space, which are directly aligned with how I now play and interact with typefaces in my work. 

What is something you’ve had to do to change your career path/journey?

Man - I've changed my direction so many times, but it's always been the creative route. I started with photography and graphic design, then just photography, then completely removing photography from my workload and going into social media. I think all of the changes allowed me to figure out what I am really passionate about, which is now what am doing full time (and am in LOVE with) - graphic design and branding!

What are you currently fascinated by and how it is feeding into your work?

Mid-Century Modern furniture is super intriguing to me right now. At my current full-time job, I get to design and help manage our brand, which works directly with a manufacturer of that specific style of furniture. I've recently been doing a lot of research about the artwork and typefaces during that time-period, and have really been fascinated by the differences and similarities it has to today's design. 

Besides design, what else are you passionate about?

Besides overall design and branding, I love conversations with people about things that have big, almost unexplainable, concepts - new inventions or ideas for today's everchanging society, energies and how to read them in people, the planets that surround us and how they relate to our everyday lives, how different people interact with one another - It may sound a little obsurd, but it is so interesting to have those types of conversations about such raw concepts with people, just to get outside of your own head.

Any words of advice you live by? “When in doubt, tell the truth.” Mark Twain

"When in doubt, tell the truth." by Mark Twain. This is a more recent quote I've started to live by. Everyone reacts differently to things, everyone makes mistakes, and you can't please everyone. I have always had a fear of upsetting people or being an inconvenience, but I've learned that the easiest way to overcome that fear is honesty. Whenever I'm contemplating what I should do or say - in my work, in friendships, relationships, or in everyday occurances - I am simply honest. Exceptions are given to exceptional people, and I firmly believe if you give grace, you'll be given it back ten-fold.

How would your best friend describe you in three words?

Haha - well my best friend, also my boyfriend, would say I'm super emotional (blessing and a curse), very understanding and forgiving (to most everyone by myself), and extremely hardworking (I told you, I love what I do). 

What is something that few people know about you?

I am a picky eater, but I can sit down and eat an entire can of black olives at any moment. Oh also, I love sleeping pretzel-legged. 

What are your goals for 2018?

My goals for 2018 are simple but significant. I want to be able to say "no" confidently, plan out my client's design timeline more in-depth, and continue to collaborate with other creatives and bloggers!

Do you have any big projects in the works?

Right now my biggest project is branding a candle line for Cracker Barrel - I have a friend who lives in Nashville, and she works for a company that is making the candles. She asked if I would want to do the branding aspect of it, along with some illustrations for the project, and I was like "hell to the yes!" - We are still in the beginning stages, but I'm so excited and honored to be part of the branding process!

AND LASTLY, Why do you do what you do?  

Funny - because I'm usually the one asking my client's this question. Yes, I have a passion for design and branding. Yes, I love working with people from all over the world. But to be honest, one of the main reasons I do what I do is to help make people's dreams successful, which in turn, makes them HAPPY. I love giving people confidence to believe in their ideas and showcase them through timeless designs. It makes every all-nighter, every weeknight/weekend facetime meeting, and every single sip of caffeine worth it.