Mel McVeigh
Brand & Web Designer / Founder of Loba Design Studio
Colorado Springs, CO
lobadesignstudio.com
instagram @lobadesignstudio
Q What do you do?
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
When I was 13, I got my first taste of coding with HTML & CSS on LiveJournal. Playing with Photoshop and crafting layouts for my blogs became a favorite pastime. That early intrigue naturally evolved into my profession, and I've now been designing & developing websites almost 14 years. Over the years I’ve learned a lot from my peers and I genuinely appreciate every opportunity and every wonderful client that I've crossed paths with. I'm always on a learning journey, all to better support and understand my clients' needs.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I truly feel that everyone, no matter their abilities, should be able to navigate the internet with ease. That being said, I prioritize delivering an exceptional experience by focusing on user experience, accessibility, and performance optimization into every project I undertake.
Q What are you working on right now?
Right now, I'm working on establishing a program aimed at uplifting underprivileged communities. Every year, I hope to offer my skills to a non-profit that's truly making waves in their domain. It's a little way I can give back and make a difference.
Q What’s your style?
When I collaborate with clients, I dive deep into their unique brand essence and style quirks. It's exciting to craft designs that reflect a myriad of styles. Personally, I have a soft spot for serif typefaces, cozy earth tones, and any imagery inspired by nature.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Brand identity design. I love digging into research to help craft the perfect brand that resonates with my clients' target audience.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Growth has its challenges! I'm genuinely grateful for my clients and the abundance of work. But, to be honest, I could use a few extra hands, especially on the development side, to help bring our projects to life and ensure timely delivery.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I would love to bring on a versatile gem - someone who's comfortable juggling admin tasks one moment and diving into development the next. It'd be fantastic to collaborate with a multi-talented individual like that!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Go for it. I remember spending what felt like ages, teetering on the edge, wondering if I should plunge into freelancing and later, establishing my own studio. After juggling various roles - be it contract, part-time, or full-time gigs - I often think, "Why didn't I jump in sooner?"
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Okay, I might be showing my geeky side here, but I'm totally fascinated by game design! I mean, who doesn't love a good video game during downtime? Dabbling in game UI and diving deep into the user experience of game interfaces sounds like a dream. I'd absolutely love the chance to chat with an expert, get into the nitty-gritty, and understand the ins and outs of game design.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I've love to work on more branding projects. Right now I do alot Wordpress & Shopify design & development projects, but more branding opportunities would be lovely.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
There's something truly special about collaborating with clients who share my core values. I would love to work on projects in the holistic beauty, sustainability, health & wellness, and arts & music realms.
Q What is your rate?
Each client and project is unique, so I custom quote every single project to accommodate each clients' individual needs. Most branding projects are typically in the four figure range and website design & development projects are in the five figure range.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
The best way to inquire about working together is through my website
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Sara Plett Photography! She shot my recent branding photos which came about absolutely stunning
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
I love to get out in nature, it helps refresh my mind and make room for new creativity.
This member profile was originally published in September 2023