Nick Pattison
Q What do you do?
“Design one-of-a-kind brands and websites.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I spent the first decade of my career at Pentagram and Milton Glaser Inc—two of the most esteemed design studios in the world—designing for a variety of large clients. I then became the Creative Director for a startup incubator with over 30 startups, leading all branding, app, and website design for each company. (And in the meantime built a few e-commerce startups of my own).
This variety of experience prepared me to run my own brand and web design business with the skills of a seasoned designer, but the mindset of an entrepreneur. My approach goes far beyond design because I understand the mechanics and challenges of business.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Because of my background and training, I can produce very sophisticated work much faster than other designers. The end-product looks like it was done by a big studio like Pentagram or Red Antler, but was in fact done by a one-man studio for a fraction of the price.
Q What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on a workout app that plays curated music based on your Spotify listening habits and your heart rate. I’m doing the whole thing: the branding, website, and app design. I’m also doing some stealth stuff for a calendar app we all love and use regularly.
Q What’s your style?
My approach is almost always “simplicity meets sophistication.” Simplicity is the core of everything I do. I help businesses take their big and sometimes messy vision, and transform that into a crisp, clear, and memorable brand and digital experience. I marry that simplicity with design sophistication so that even the smallest project has the professional, high-end look of a big brand like Nike.
My recent project with Muze embodies these principles well.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Coding. Although I’m quite versatile in creating super custom sites across Squarespace, Webflow, WordPress, and Shopify being able to customize these sites at lightning speed is my current #1 goal.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Building a social presence! I’ve gotten by on word-of-mouth for all of my careers, so I’m just getting started building something bigger online. I just wish I’d done it earlier so it didn’t feel so huge.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Project manager. Coordination of clients could free me up more to just stay focused on creative output.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Learn business early, much of life is knowing your worth and negotiating accordingly. Stay fit and moving, your body will repay you. Have fun and stay loose, life is short.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
How to productize my services. I’ve spent a lot of time building intricate processes that I know are valuable to other designers and entrepreneurs, and I want to templatize and sell that.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking to work with founders of visionary companies who are looking for a fresh new brand identity and website design—preferably both. From “zero to hero" is my sweet spot. Too often businesses design a website without a cohesive brand identity, and I can help marry the two into a cohesive digital presence that will truly stand out and make you beaucoup bucks.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client is an early-stage startup with a big, interesting vision, who knows that branding and good design can be valuable rocket fuel. Bonus points if you’re working in tech/software on a project in fitness, sports, music, fashion, or food.
Q: What is your rate?
I charge by the project. Branding starts at $15k, and website design similarly starts at $15k (this includes development too).
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Via the contact form on my website
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Kathleen Marie Fitzgerald. She is both a photographer and designer and is incredibly (and equally) talented at both, which is so rare.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Look at new branding & website projects daily. This keeps me inspired and filled with new ideas for the next day!
This member profile was originally published in April 2022.