Mel McVeigh
Brand & Web Designer / Founder of Loba Design Studio
Colorado Springs, CO
lobadesignstudio.com
instagram @lobadesignstudio
Q What do you do?
“I help brands stand out through branding and web design that captures the true essence of the brand’s visual story to touch the lives of their audience in a meaningful way.”
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