Emily Sollenberger
Emily Sollenberger
Founder / Designer, Refined Studios
Philadelphia, PA
www.thisisrefined.com
instagram @thisisrefined
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pinterest
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a brand & website designer that helps conscious businesses bring their brand to life in both the digital and physical worlds.”
I especially love working with e-commerce and lifestyle businesses, helping them create a website that emanates their brand, while working as an efficient storefront for their business.
A typical day for me will include designing and developing websites, working on brand strategy presentations, testing out new website building platforms, and spending hours on Pinterest.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I’ve had a long journey to get to where I am today. I first started working on websites at 16 years old, helping a local record label do online inventory management for their band’s merch stores.
Since then, I’ve worked professionally as a digital project manager for a NYC advertising & branding agency, where I gained a lot of the technical skills & strategy-knowledge needed to be a successful brand and web designer. During my time there I managed website builds for Fortune 500 entertainment companies, and oversaw the production of so many HTML5 banner ads.
Which brings us to today! My work as a brand & web designer initially started as a creative outlet from my “corporate-ish” job, but has now turned into a fully fledged creative studio.
How do you stand out in your field?
Every designer wants to be known for their design...but really I think I stand out from my technical / strategy / and entrepreneurial background. Not only do I design stunning websites & brands for my clients, but I also act as no-bullsh*t strategic partner in their business.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I have a few different things in the works right now!
I’m working with one of my former clients on adding e-commerce functionality to her website, collaborating with an artist agency on creating content for their social platforms, and promoting my recently launched Creative Coaching by Design consulting program.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I gravitate towards super minimal, yet bold / editorial design. I first got interested in design by looking at magazine & book layouts, and that definitely shines through in my work.
I’ve been working on the website design for a pilates studio that is a great representation of my style, showing how minimal and bold design can coexist.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I love the work that I do, but I would really love to add in more e-commerce consulting! I love helping my clients optimize their online stores to drive conversion, and would love to explore that skill a bit more!
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Not enough time in the day to execute all of the ideas I have!
Or the fact that I am typically most creative between 10pm - 1am, which is not really optimal work hours.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would hire someone to edit my writing and turn my jumbled ideas into beautifully written & SEO optimized blog posts! It’s a struggle, my friends.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I would have told my 18 year old self to study graphic or UX design! I graduated college with a degree in entrepreneurship (which, I am so thankful for) but I definitely could have taken a minor in graphic or UX design.
While I’ve been able to manage being a self taught designer, I really believe in the power of education and would have loved to experience a formal design education. It would have been amazing to graduate with a whole network of graphic designers!
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Hmm… there’s so many things, but right now I’d really love to learn more about SEO. I feel like its a constantly evolving skill.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
This year I’m really focusing on creative collaborations, in addition to my client work. I’d love to partner with other designers, developers, or strategists to expand our businesses in ways that can only be done through collaboration!
I’m also always excited for new client work, and am specifically interested in working with budding e-commerce & lifestyle clients looking to get strategic about their brand and elevate their digital presence.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal client is someone that understands the value of good design, and trusts me to do my best creative work for them! Trust is so important in a client / designer relationship, it can make or break a project! When my clients trust me, it allows me to take the work above and beyond.
Who is a creative that has helped you elevate your work?
There’s so many!
Leena Alsulaiman has been a wonderful client & collaborator, and constantly keeps me motivated to work on my coaching & consulting offerings.
Morgan Rapp and her course, Design Biz Master, were life changing for me this year.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Shoot me an email at emily@thisisrefined.com & we’ll take it from there! If you can include info about your project, that’s always helpful!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Lots & lots of browsing coffee table books!
This member profile was originally published in December 2020.