Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Saundra Marcel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Saundra, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
To be creative, one needs to create. There needs to be time and space for imagination and exploration. For experimenting and testing things out. Being okay with leaving things messy and undone to move onto another idea. Looking at variations. Getting a little weird.
Personally, I’ve always liked doing this in solitude. Group brainstorm dynamics have always felt a little icky and performative to me. My nature is pensive and introverted, and I like to ruminate and sketch. Give it time, give it love. It’ll come to you.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a Designer & Brand Author, specializing in branding. For emerging startups, this means creating from the ground up. For established companies, this means modernizing and upleveling by preserving the best and evolving the rest.
And yes, the ‘Brand Author’ part of this title is 100% my own invention. In addition to being a graphic designer, I also identify as a writer and creator. This fusion of skills has shaped my practice into what it is today—a think-forward brand studio that artfully unites design and words. What I love most about the title ‘Brand Author’ is how it perfectly captures the creation aspect of branding. Originality is really important in this business. We’re very often making something entirely new, and then literally writing the rules.
I should also mention that I’m a small business owner, although this is rarely how I introduce myself. In 2008 I established Design Minded with the vision of bringing together design and thinking into a “mindful” studio practice. Having my own business has allowed me to refine my craft in really interesting ways. Being independent has heightened my own sense of purpose, and in turn lean into being an extremely attentive partner for my clients.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
My advice for anyone starting out is to work for other people first. There’s so much you need to learn that doesn’t come from a classroom or the Internet. Hitch yourself to someone you admire and be a sponge for how they do things. If you’re looking around right now wondering who that might be, you need to put this person on your must-have list for your next career move.
My first boss gave me this advice. I was hungry and young; probably a little too smart for my own good. I wanted to be right and I wanted to be recognized. He helped me calm down and dial back on the hubris, making me a far more pleasant person to work with. He had an incredible talent for gaining trust and making people feel heard and understood. In time, I learned to do this, too. Having trust, especially on really big and important projects, is beyond valuable.
Lastly, be honest. You’re human. You’ll make mistakes, you’ll misjudge your time, and unpredictable things will happen. Take it as it comes, be truthful, and do the right thing. You’ve got to be straight because it speaks to your integrity.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal clients are the movers and shakers of the world. The people who are driven to invent, build, and scale. They’ve got the energy and ambition to do big things. Whether they work for an established company or are founding a startup, what they share is a sense of bravery. My brand studio will help them reimagine who they are, and can become.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://designminded.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saundra-marcel/
