July's Tip Tuesday series is a little different. Instead of sharing a simple Canva technique, I'm pulling back the curtain on something I think every client deserves to understand:

 

 

And I'm kicking off with the one that lands in every branding client's inbox first.

 

A branding questionnaire is research. It's the first thing that shapes every design decision I'll make. Here's what I'm learning from these questions:

 

Who is your ideal client?
This is about design direction more than it is about demographics. The way a brand speaks to a wellness coach looks entirely different from how it speaks to a corporate keynote speaker. Yes, they are both entrepreneurs, but they are both have different POVs. Your audience defines the visual language before a single color is chosen.

 

What 3 words best describe your brand?
I'm listening for tension. "Modern, warm, trustworthy" tells me something. "Playful, professional, bold" tells me something else. The words you reach for instinctively reveal tone, and tone drives typography, color, and layout.

 

Before I can design something that sets you apart, I need to understand your industry and that includes your competition. If your branding is too similar to someone else's, that will not serve you and might even bring about some confusion for potential clients.

 

Your questionnaire answers are the brief. They're what I return to when I'm choosing typefaces, calibrating colors, and deciding whether a design actually feels like you. The more honest and specific you are, the more your brand will reflect who you are and who you're meant to attract.

 

If you've ever worked with a designer and wondered why there were so many questions before the first mockup was designed, now you know.

Your brand starts before the first design file opens. The answers you give me are the first creative decisions of your entire brand project — the more honest and specific, the better everything that follows will be.

Ready to build a brand that does that kind of work for you? I'd love to show you what a full brand identity project could look like.

 

 

Learning is more fun with good company... and really good ice cream.

 

I'm SO EXCITED to join Harmony Larson for the first Summer School at Good Company, a new series for curious professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, and lifelong learners.

 

Whether you're brand new to Canva or ready to level up, I'll share practical tips on:

🛣️ Navigating templates, apps, elements, filters, and search features

🎨 Building and using your Brand Kit, including logos, fonts, colors, and folders

📱 Customizing templates for social media, presentations, and marketing materials

🎬 Animation, exporting, and other helpful tricks

❓ An open Q&A where you can ask me anything!

 

Enjoy gourmet local ice cream from Picco during the workshop, then stay to cowork, connect, and tackle a few to-dos alongside other local professionals. We'll keep the summer vibes going with a little yacht rock in the background.

 

Space is intentionally limited to keep things comfortable and conversational.

 

Bring your laptop and your questions. We'll take care of the Canva tips, the coworking space, and the ice cream. See you there!