Megan Hampson
Megan Hampson
Confidence Booster / Brand + Web Designer
Ft. Irwin, CA
www.letterformcreative.com
instagram @letterformcreative
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WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I give a confidence boost to small business owners through branding and web design.”
I phrase it this way because a past client used those exact words and I can see it has the same effect on all my clients. You know the feeling. It’s the same one you get from a killer haircut or the perfect outfit. Call me a brand stylist, a confidence booster, or a graphic designer. You choose.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I studied visual communications in college. After graduation I worked as an in-house designer at an invitation company, a home-building company, and finally a non-profit. The repetitive nature of in-house design wasn’t doing it for me, so I set out to start my own design firm. For the past two years I’ve been working one-on-one with small business owners to bring their visions to life and I’ve loved every second of it.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
There’s no lack of competition in my industry, that’s for sure. What makes some people get ahead is their drive and willingness to do the work. I see a lot of other designers struggling to gain traction, thinking that it’s just going to fall into their lap. It’s not. Without a plan, no business will ever get off the ground.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I’m currently working on the branding for a sink and faucet company—not the typical industry I work with, but it’s been way more fun than I expected. I’m also doing the branding for a jewelry company based in Singapore, and the website for a Seattle-based photographer—these are definitely in my wheelhouse.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style naturally airs on the clean, modern, minimal, and oftentimes feminine side. The branding and websites I designed for sister companies, Made Market and Made Weddings, display both the more minimal and the more feminine side of my work.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I have always loved fashion and initially wanted to pursue fashion design in college. I didn’t end up doing so for a variety of reasons, but I love that my job still allows me to work with clients in that space. I would love the opportunity to work with clothing companies on their branding, website, and packaging design.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Marketing. Always marketing. One of the many hats that must be worn as a small business owner, but always gets tossed aside for the designer hat.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Marketing seems like the most obvious choice as per my last answer, but honestly it would be someone to clean the house and make dinner!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
When I had just started my business and had no clients or inquiries, I would have told myself to get a marketing plan in place, rather than sit around waiting for people to contact me. I eventually learned this, but I could have started sooner.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would love to talk to a business coach about ways to improve my business. I really value mentorship and the input of others more experienced than myself. I hired a business mentor for a short stint and it was so valuable. I definitely plan to do it again in the future.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Branding, web design, and/or packaging design for small businesses in the fashion, beauty, food, and creative industries are my jam. I’m also looking for ongoing design work for an awesome company that doesn’t have an in-house designer.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal client is someone who cares about high-quality design and sees it as a worthwhile investment. They're serious about their business and care about how it's perceived. They know professional design will attract a higher-calibre of client. Most importantly, they're willing to loosen their grip on the reigns and trust me.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
My branding packages start at $1800 and my web packages start at $2125 for the most basic option. For ongoing work, my hourly rate is $50.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Please complete the contact form on my website. The more detail you can provide the better!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
The sky and everything in it.
This member profile was originally published in 2017.