Laci Harmon
Brand Designer / Brand Strategist / Illustrator
Brooklyn, NY
www.laciharmon.com
instagram @laci.design
Q What do you do?
“I create visual worlds for founders and businesses who give a damn—and want their brand to prove it.”
That usually starts with branding (logo, color, type, vibe), but often goes deeper: merch, packaging, illustration, and web. I make sure everything connects—and makes people care. I especially love working with creative, mission-driven brands that aren’t afraid to show some personality.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
Creativity has always been at the core of everything I do—but my story didn’t start with design. My background is in traditional art and music. I spent eight years writing and performing songs, and after some tough lessons studying music composition in university—including being told I didn’t have what it takes to make it in the industry—I spent a few years navigating self-doubt and searching for my path.
The breakthrough came unexpectedly when I stepped into a social media role at a juice shop. With no formal design training and only my traditional art instincts to guide me, I jumped in, downloaded The Adobe Suite, and taught myself everything I could. For weeks, it was work, sleep, eat, Adobe—on repeat. (I was just a feral little art goblin hunched over a laptop, fueled by espresso and obsession, muttering “Bezier curve… why?” into the void). When a post I made about a smoothie recipe gone wrong ended up selling out the product in two days as a direct result, I realized I’d tapped into something authentic that resonated with the brand’s values. That moment showed me the power of design and storytelling—and I was hooked.
From there, I moved into a digital marketing role at a cannabis company, where I deepened my skills and collaborated with a wildly talented creative team. Eventually, I stepped into freelancing, creating everything from illustrations to logos and full brand identities.
In 2024, I founded my own branding studio and moved to Brooklyn to immerse myself in a vibrant creative community. These days, I’m focused on building brands that feel honest, artful, and human. I’m always looking for collaborators who value the journey as much as the outcome.
P.S. Don’t worry—music’s still a big part of my world. When you truly have a passion for something, it always finds its way back. I’m currently working on a side project that brings music and design together. More on that soon ;)
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I approach branding like an excavation—digging through the noise to uncover the core of who a brand really is. My background in traditional art taught me to trust what’s raw, to find form in mess, and meaning in texture. I don’t design for perfection—I design for feeling. My work is emotional, expressive, sometimes unexpected, and always human. I blend instinct with intention to build strategic brands that don’t just look good, but feel alive. Brands that make people stop scrolling and go, “ooooo me want some my precioussss”.
Q What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m focused on growing my creative studio here in Brooklyn, and connecting with businesses and individuals who want to create bold, human-centered brands that stand out. I’m also working on my cartwheels… but that’s a different story.
Q What’s your style?
My work strikes a balance between premium and playful—designs that are sophisticated but still approachable. I aim for each piece to be bold and intentional, yet warm and human. Contemporary sophistication with a touch of fun and authenticity—making a premium product feel accessible and desirable.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I’d love to focus more on large-scale brand projects—where we’re in it together from the very beginning, shaping the strategy, building the visual identity, designing the website, crafting the merch, and sweating every little detail that makes up the brand’s world. I get the most energy from helping bring a whole universe to life, not just decorating the surface.
That said, I also wouldn’t mind more days sketching in the park, dancing, making music, painting, or practicing improv comedy.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
The lack of time in a day. Finding aligned collaborators/clients to work with.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I’d have them wake me up with coffee, (I’m a night owl), force me to stop working long enough to go to the gym, handle the laundry and cooking, help keep my newsletter consistent, and remind me to get out of my own head.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
- Embrace the messiness: Perfection isn’t everything; imperfections make work real.
- Embrace the cringe: Cringe is just a sign that you’re learning. If you’re not cringing then you’re not growing.
- Trust your instincts earlier: Stop second-guessing; your gut knows best.
- Don’t fear failure: Setbacks are lessons, part of the creative journey. Worship them.
- Make decisions faster: Don’t worry about being wrong, you learn by doing.
- Be kinder to yourself: Creativity flows better when you’re not hard on yourself.
- Take risks: Step out of your comfort zone and great things could happen.
- Move your body: Creativity thrives when your body stays in motion.
- Listen to advice, but don’t let others' opinions drown out your own: Trust your voice above all.
- Ask better questions: Good questions lead to better answers and growth.
- Don’t play it small, you’re just as big as anyone else... (just not physically 5'4" and all, but you know what I mean).
- Fear will always be there: Just expect that and do the thing anyway.
- Live in questions, not answers: Some things are meant to be lived with, not solved.
- Don’t drink 5 double espressos in one day: This needs no explanation.
I still have to tell myself these things. Everyday.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
How to find clients and collaborators who align. How to not hide in the bathroom at networking events. And I’m always looking to learn from branding pros—like what they’re thinking, how they work, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes great brands come to life. I adore and crave hearing all the different perspectives here. It gives me butterflies.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking for branding opportunities where I can craft complete brand identities that feel like entire worlds. I want to work with founders who genuinely care about building something authentic, intentional, and lasting. My ideal clients are those who understand that brand identity isn’t just a logo—it’s a story, a vibe, and a community. I’m excited to collaborate with people who share a vision for a brand that’s bold, playful, and approachable, yet grounded in purpose and authenticity.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal collaboration is with a founder who’s passionate about their business and wants their brand to actually reflect who they are. You’ve got a vision for where you’re headed, and you’re ready to take it to the next level with a brand that feels bold, true, and built to last.
I want to work with people who care—who are open to collaborating, trust the process, give thoughtful (and timely) feedback 😉, and aren’t afraid to have a little fun along the way. You bring the heart, I’ll help build the world around it.
Together, we’ll create a brand that doesn’t just look good—it feels right. One that gives you the confidence to show up fully, the clarity to move faster, and the momentum to keep going. When your brand reflects who you really are, it becomes magnetic. That’s the kind of work I’m here for—meaningful, memorable, and aligned from the inside out.
Q: What is your rate?
My branding packages start at $3,000 and go up to $10,000, depending on the scope—whether it’s just the essentials or the full shebang with web design.
Payment is split into three installments: at the start, midpoint, and end of the project with further payment plans available upon request.
For illustration, further collateral design, and other à la carte creative work, my rate is $75/hr.
Every project is a little different, so feel free to reach out for a custom quote: hi@laciharmon.com
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
If you’re interested in a branding project, head to www.laciharmon.com/contact and fill out the form—it covers a few key things I like to know upfront, like timeline, and what your biz is all about.
Or just shoot me an email and let me know what you’re thinking: hi@laciharmon.com. I always love hearing from people.
If you’re a fellow creative looking to collab or just want to say hey, my inbox is wide open.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Yaz Tulça of YazTea Wedding Photography: @yazteaweddings — www.yaztulca.com.
Such an amazingly talented photographer, and overall beautiful human. Yaz is the one who took my portrait at the top of this page.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Keeping that beginner’s mindset. No matter how much I learn, or how many wrinkles I get, I’m just out here tryin’ to think like a little kid.
This member profile was originally published in May 2025.