Carly Stirling
Q What do you do?
“I design kickass branding and websites that stand out.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
Starting in a clothing pattern room when I was 15 I have been forever inspired to follow the lead of my Grandfather and Uncle in the textile industry. Little did I know there was more out there than just the pattern room. After high school, I worked in retail for some top Australian fashion & lifestyle brands while studying Fashion at university, then onto my first design role at 19 creating for underwear brands Australian Local brands Rio, Holeproof, and Antz Pants. Following onto a world trip then settling back into a graphic design course and wondering what to do next.
In 2012 I returned to a fashion house as a garment tech, working on a 3D pattern making and design program to implement into the business. From there to wholesale company for 6 years as a Senior Designer for Women’s underwear brands (working directly with buyers) and an edgy fashion-forward, strong feminist, lingerie e-comm brand. This brand allowed me to travel off-shore for development and buying trips, plus trade shows. In 2019 I moved over to a world-class stationery brand to follow my love for print and pattern and upskill into Product Management.
After 12 months and a world pandemic, I landed on my feet at Studio Carly by mid-2020. In between, I had been up-skilling into website design, launched my own little gift box business, and always had my toes in freelance graphics. Now I can say... this is where I am meant to be. A forever-changing digital world, fast-paced, competitive, and full of opportunities.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Highly experienced in product development and working in corporate.
Q What are you working on right now?
A mix of Product and Service based branding, plus Shopify + Squarespace websites.
Q What’s your style?
I'm personally edgy - but I do design classic, natural and fun brands. I love to mix it up. For example - bringing elements of fashion brands into a photographer’s website.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I love writing CSS but don't always have the time to experiment myself. Preferring to keep HTML & liquid to the experts, CSS is one that I love applying and pushing the limits.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Client Management - being solo it's the most draining part of the biz.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Finish off branding packs - logo exports and Canva set up.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I should have left fashion design and moved straight into graphics sooner.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
How to sell in those higher rates - fewer clients, bigger projects.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Ideal clients who want to be on Squarespace - with loud edgy branding. Branding that is consistent through socials, web, and all touchpoints.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I work with loads of fashion clients, I love seeing the brand come to life through the logo, social media graphics, and then on-to web. I love brands that push the limits in trends.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
We always start with a virtual or IRL 1:1. From here we discuss the pain points and project scope. I then head away and write a proposal specifically for your business needs. I take this step very seriously, generally, it can take over 1 hour to strategize and research the best action steps for your project.
Once proposals are closed, I love using programs like Loom and Markup so I can share my thoughts and designs via video.
If I am designing a brand for you, we always always have a 1:1 brand direction meeting. This is the most important part of the process, as nailing the correct brand direction will set you up for success. I can design ANYTHING, but... that doesn't mean anything will work for you... we have to get it rightt!! Always.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
TBH I've kinda just done it myself. I use WGSN for colour and trend inspo.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Born with it - and of course, scrolling though other creatives websites that are inspiring
This member profile was originally published in February 2022.