Sophie Dumon
Q What do you do?
“I’m a freelance designer specialising in brand identity, strategy and graphic design.”
I’m also an artist so I love to combine that with my design skills to create forms of art when it comes to branding and graphics. It makes me so excited when a client approaches me with an idea and I get to bring it to life in its most creative expression. I support those doing good in the world whether it’s a creative or entrepreneur, a start-up, a sustainable company or a not-for-profit. It’s my passion to showcase those doing amazing things and connect them with their dream audience around the world.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
It’s taken a while that’s for sure! I studied Fashion Marketing & Branding almost a decade ago and loved university. I always wanted to work with starting up brands and then handing them over to their founders but never really thought it was possible. After finishing university, I started working in the fashion industry in a bunch of roles like merchandising, buying, e-commerce and digital marketing, but nothing was fully lighting me up. I learnt so many skills and really got the inside view of how to run a company and also, how not to run a company! After a few years, I took a break and started to teach Pilates and Yoga eventually starting a mini studio which although they’re not directly linked to graphic design, this part of my life gave me invaluable skills. I learnt about making a website from scratch, creating the brand identity and promoting myself in ways that I never had before. Then covid hit and all of my teaching stopped as they closed the studios for isolation so I started to really lean back into my creative side. I hadn’t really felt that full creative expression since university so it felt amazing to find that spark again. I was painting all day everyday and began to sell pieces through my website. After the lockdown finished, I decided to go freelance and to merge painting with design which led me to work with some really cool brands. From there, it's evolved to where I am today, as the founder of Studio Esens, a space where purpose and beauty come together to create forms of art for branding and design.
It’s pretty wild looking back and seeing how all of the previous jobs and skills learnt have led me to be here and what I once thought was impossible has actually become a reality!
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I like to be experimental with my designing whether it’s through colour, design or typography. I always approach it with a sense of play and I feel that’s reflected in my work. I love to elevate the experience of a company or a project and create feelings through my art as a way to connect to a brand’s dream audience.
Q What are you working on right now?
I’m working on some really fun brand identities where I’m lucky that my clients have given me full creative freedom. I find it so liberating when I’m trusted to create whatever I want and my favourite words to hear are ‘I trust you’ when it comes to design. One of the projects is a bakery at different locations and a bakehouse so I’m excited to lean into the illustration side of things and the other project is for a yoga studio which is cool as I've spent my fair share of years in them, practicing and teaching. I’ve felt lucky to have aligned with some amazing clients and can’t wait to see what comes in the future.
Q What’s your style?
I love being experimental and super creative with my designs. I’d say I lean into colours and textures the most to create a story throughout my designs. I feel like my style is playful, soft and elevated. Being based on the East Coast of Australia, my designs can be pretty coastal and nature inspired with a lot of pieces showcasing the ocean or surfing. When I’m working with brands, I love getting to the essence of who they are as a way to infuse that spark into parts of my work. Each brand is so unique so I really like to lean into that.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Design; on and off the screen.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Keeping up with everything! Being the founder of Studio Esens, there is a lot happening. Whether it’s working on projects, marketing, my own social media and making sure that the business is financially successful, it’s A LOT. Sometimes it can feel really overwhelming and like there’s not enough hours in the day.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
All of the admin, the client communications and the boring but so needed parts of running a business. Also making a good coffee would be amazing!!
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
So many things! I guess it’s just to keep believing in myself. So many times I have questioned myself and whether I was on the right path or doing the right thing especially when I was working for other people. I’d say to have confidence, put yourself out there and keep trusting this wild process!
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
How to run a successful company for the long term - investing, finances, tax. I’ve been on the lookout for a good business coach for ages but haven’t found one that aligns. If you know someone amazing, hit me up!
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Graphic design, brand identity, illustration. Any fun projects with a vision to push the boundaries of design and to create something magic! I love turning a seed of an idea into a full blown brand that is backed up with strategy and super creative and engaging in design.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal clients are those doing good in the world - creatives, entrepreneurs, start ups, sustainable brands, not for profits. Whether it’s health & wellness, beauty, fashion, travel, artists, creative spaces as long as they want to design something creative, fun and explorative. I want to know more! I also love collaborating with other creatives to bring a vision to life.
Q: What is your rate?
It honestly depends on the project as I create custom packages depending on the needs of each client, what deliverables they want, the timeline and of course, their budget. For full brand identities, my prices start around $2,500 (US) although it can vary on the project and client. I also work with day rate projects and intensive week projects for branding, design and even, web design that can start from $500 (US). I offer a free deep dive session where we talk through your brand or project in more detail and from there, I put together a custom package for you.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Head to Studio Esens and you can fill out a project form or if you’d prefer a chat, book in for a complimentary deep dive call where we chat through your project and the vision.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Rick Rubin, always. I love his insights into creativity and his book ‘The Creative Act’ is one I come back to over and over again. If you haven’t read it yet, what are you doing?! Go.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Painting, the ocean, baking, reading magazines, movement, going to vintage shops and op shops.
This member profile was originally published in June 2024.