We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brittany Steiner. Check out our conversation below.
Brittany, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I love my work and feel lucky to have a career I enjoy, but I spend way too much time on my laptop. Lately, I’ve started knitting…yes, I’m fully embracing my “Granny Era.” I love how it forces me to slow down and focus, and it keeps me off screens on weekends. I’ve also been doing what I call “book walks,” which means going for a walk and stopping at different spots to read for a while.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brittany Steiner, and I’m a freelance Art Director focused on web design, motion, and AI. I work closely with the team at Wizardly, where I both design and lead projects across the agency’s brand and client work.
With the rise of AI, I’ve been exploring how to thoughtfully integrate these tools into my workflow. It’s been interesting to see not only the openness but also the expectation from clients to include AI in the creative process.
Outside of client work, I’m building a newsletter and community called The Future Brief Club with my co-creator, Mayara Sousa. It’s still in its early stages, but our goal is to create a safe space for creatives to explore the skills needed for the future brief, approaching change with curiosity instead of fear.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Moving to Europe from the US has shaped how I see the world above any other life experience so far. I have lived in both Portugal and Switzerland, and it has been a real treasure to experience different cultures. To expand outside of your bubble, and comfort zone and see how other people live and approach life is something I wish everyone could experience.
One of the biggest takeaways for me is the difference between work life balance in Europe compared to the US. My work is a big part of my identity, and I think that is common for Americans, at least in the Bay Area where I’m originally from. But here in Europe, when you meet someone, they don’t lead with asking what you do for work. Most of the conversations don’t revolve around talking about work. Depending on the country, they also take off significant amount of time. From Swiss business taking off every Sunday to Portugal’s businesses often taking 3 hour breaks, being around this has forced me to slow down a bit, and be more intentional about my time.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve almost given up on being a designer more times than I can count. Since I learned everything through experience, I’ve always carried a heavy weight of imposter syndrome. That feeling grew stronger early in my career when I worked as a freelancer and didn’t have anyone around to learn from.
Things shifted once I started collaborating with agencies. Seeing different ways of working helped me build confidence and refine my process. Still, freelancing in any industry is tough, and there were always moments of struggle and self-doubt.
I’ll admit that with AI reshaping our field, I’ve even considered leaving the digital space entirely. But I haven’t given in to those thoughts, because I truly enjoy what I do, the people I work with, and I’ve come too far to walk away now.
If you’ve ever felt the same, my advice is to find a community, a team, or even one peer who reminds you that you’re not alone. And find your drive. I started freelancing because it was my only option, but moving into a long-term contractor role has given me more stability and more time to focus on the work itself.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I wouldn’t call the trend we see in the design industry on social media a “lie.” It’s more of a tactic to get attention, one that often leads with fear. Feeds are filled with “hot takes” and dramatic headlines like “This tool just killed that tool.” This kind of negativity might drive engagement, but it’s doing more harm than good for our community.
There are real fears among creatives as AI continues to evolve, but I believe we should move away from the fear-driven narrative and lead with transparency and curiosity instead. We could use that energy to share our workflows, our experiments, what’s worked for us, and what hasn’t. That’s exactly why I’m building the Future Brief Club, to create a space for that kind of open, honest exchange.
No one has all the answers. The future is uncertain, and that’s uncomfortable, but rather than fueling the fear, we can lean on each other to learn and grow through it.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Tap dancing? Maybe not that specifically, but I’ve definitely had my dance party moments over the last couple of years. One of the reasons for that has been leaning into curiosity more. For example, I had always wanted to learn animation but thought it was too complicated and not something I could make time for, especially knowing how complex After Effects is.
Luckily, motion design has shifted from a specialty niche to an expectation, which has led to tools that make it more accessible. I’ve been able to complete motion projects using tools like Jitter and Lottie Labs without even knowing if what I wanted to achieve was possible at the time. This leap of faith and drive for curiosity has allowed me to develop a new skill set.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://futurebriefclub.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bsteiner.design/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsteinerdesign/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
