Newsletters
Pehraps the most simultaneougly loved and hated marketing effort – the newsletter – acts as the perfect stage for me to flex my autolayout expterise. Is there any other design evolution a designer loves more? (no)
3 phones displaying different mockups of the Keen Utility newsletter
Digital Trends, KEEN, Reperio Health
Brief
Revamp newsletters with finesse—whether as lead designer, or a contributor adding dynamic assets to existing templates, the goal is to captivate the audience, enhance the user experience, and give the content a fresh visual appeal. Ensure each newsletter stands out and aligns seamlessly with its respective brand identity.
Role
In the realm of newsletters, I've donned various hats—from being the primary designer for Digital Trends' "The Refresh," creating eye-catching layouts, to elevating Keen's Utility boot market newsletter with unique dynamic assets. My role is about injecting visual flair that resonates with the audience and strengthens brand identity.
Challenges
The challenge varies—from crafting engaging designs that capture the essence of the content to seamlessly integrating dynamic assets into existing templates. Each newsletter comes with its unique puzzle, requiring creative problem-solving to strike the right visual chord.
Result
Whether leading the charge or contributing visual elements, the newsletters I've worked on have seen increased engagement, with audiences not just reading but actively interacting with the content. It's all about turning newsletters into visual delights that leave a lasting impression.
E-commerce events
Capitalism is a drag, but buying yourself a little treat helps the pill go down easier, doesn't it? The microbrands I've created for commerce events have consistently helped take sales goals over the finish line. Happy Honda Days, from me to you. 😌
featured image for prime day deals showing various tech products in stylized, disjointed grid.
Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2021
Brief
Craft a micro brand identity that rocks on the homepage, buying guides, and social media. We're talking cohesion, visual impact, and a vibe that screams "must-click."
Role
I spearheaded the creation of a micro brand identity for Digital Trends' Black Friday/Cyber Monday campaign in 2021. From shaping the visuals on the homepage to infusing flair into buying guides and social media, the goal was to create a cohesive, eye-catching identity that resonated with our audience.
Challenges
The challenge here was to encapsulate the essence of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday vibe while maintaining a seamless visual thread across diverse platforms. Crafting a micro brand identity that not only stood out but also felt like an integral part of the Digital Trends experience required a careful balance of creativity and consistency.
Result
The micro brand identity not only attracted attention on the homepage but seamlessly translated across buying guides and social media, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative. The results spoke volumes—increased clicks and purchases, heightened user engagement, and ultimately performed better than any shopping holiday that year.
Prime Day 2021
Brief
Craft captivating Prime Day visual assets for Digital Trends, serving as micro-branded promotional elements for buying guides with affiliate links. Your mission: to design eye-catching visuals that entice clicks and seamlessly integrate with the Prime Day vibe.
Role
My role was to create a collection of assets for the site and socials. These visuals were strategically crafted to promote buying guides with affiliate links, blending seamlessly with the Prime Day atmosphere and enticing users to click through.
Challenges
The challenge was twofold—infusing micro-branded visuals with the vibrancy of Prime Day while ensuring seamless integration with buying guides and affiliate links. Striking the right balance between promotional and engaging content posed a creative challenge in capturing the essence of the event.
Result
The visual assets became powerful promoters of Digital Trends' Prime Day content. Strategically aligned with affiliate-linked buying guides, they not only attracted clicks but also seamlessly blended into the Prime Day narrative. The results spoke volumes in increased click-through rates and affiliate revenue, making the visuals a successful component of Digital Trends' Prime Day strategy.
Social
My primary goal with design for socials is always to maximize organic human engagement and provide real life content consumers with stuff they actually enjoy following for.
two phons showing grid and post views of @cagdeals' Instagram
Digital Trends YouTube Thumbnails
Brief
Redefine Digital Trends' brand language on YouTube, therefore increasing engagement and establishing a distinct visual identity through the recognizability.
Role
As the lead designer, I spearheaded the transformation of Digital Trends' YouTube thumbnails, ensuring a consistent, on-trend, and visually appealing language that resonated with the audience.
Challenges
Faced with the challenge of balancing creativity with brand consistency, the redesign required meticulous attention to detail to maintain the channel's identity while infusing a fresh and engaging look.
Result
The impact was profound—dramatically boosting engagement and a lasting recognizability on the platform. The success was so enduring that Digital Trends continues using the same visual language for thumbnails even after my involvement in the project.
Digital Trends Instagram Refresh
Brief
Breathe new life into the grid, boost engagement, and keep it authentic.
Role
As one of the primary designers spearheading the refresh of Digital Trends' Instagram, I delved into reshaping the visual identity. From crafting eye-catching posts to enhancing overall aesthetics, the goal was to elevate engagement and create a space where genuine human connections flourished.
Challenges
The challenges were twofold. Firstly, infusing a fresh design that resonated with the audience, and secondly, tackling the bot-related engagement issues that plagued our previous endeavors. Striking the right balance between creativity and authenticity was key.
Result
The refresh yielded significant results. Engagement levels soared, with a notable shift towards authentic human interactions. The revamped design not only caught eyes but fostered a community feel on Instagram, leaving bots in the rearview mirror and solidifying Digital Trends' presence as a go-to destination for genuine conversations.
CheapAssGamer Instagram Refresh
Brief
Transform @cagdeals from an afterthought into a revenue-generating powerhouse. Inject humor, ride the online trend wave, and cook up diverse post formats for the various deals in the spotlight.
Role
As a freelancer, I spearheaded a complete overhaul of CheapAssGamer's Instagram. From infusing humor and riding the waves of online trends to crafting versatile post formats tailored to different deals, the goal was to turn this platform into a revenue-generating force.
Challenges
The primary challenge in the CheapAssGamer's Instagram overhaul was ensuring that templates not only exuded aesthetic appeal but were also user-friendly and efficient for a small team with limited familiarity with design tools. Striking the right balance between beauty and simplicity became the focal point of the project.
Result
The overhaul of CheapAssGamer's Instagram brought about a transformative shift. The revamped templates not only showcased aesthetic prowess but also proved to be a game-changer in terms of usability for a small team navigating limited design tool knowledge. The result was not just increased engagement and revenue but a streamlined and efficient process that empowered the team to effortlessly maintain a visually appealing and engaging Instagram presence.