Ashley Myslivy
Ashley Myslivy
Designer / Owner of Innovatus Designs
Bozeman, MO
www.innovatusdesigns.com
instagram @innovatusdesigns
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WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I help small businesses tell their story in a very noisy world with unique logos, brands and websites.”
I start by listening to the story and getting to know what makes the owner and business tick, their goals and aspirations and where they want to be in five years. After that I strategically transform their story to a visual brand and logo that portrays their personality and expertise to find their dream customers. My whole goal is to help business do what they do love while having a brand and website that builds trust among their customers and converts strangers to die-hard fans.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I’ve been designing since I was 16 and couldn’t even drive on my own yet, it’s been my jam for as long as I can remember. After graduating from Colorado State University, I worked with international non-profits and corporations as a graphic designer/marketing coordinator in their marketing departments. This experience helped to round out my skills as a designer and allowed me to become a chameleon with a bag of tricks to fit whatever my client needs...the phrase “umm, I don’t know how to do that” just doesn’t exist in my vocabulary. Moving to Montana from Colorado for my husband’s job presented me with my dream opportunity of opening my own design boutique and doing what I love while helping others.
How do you stand out in your field?
I think that as a designer, it’s easy to stay in the comfort zone of design and not really dig into what the client wants. Over the years, I’ve realized the value of asking questions and bringing strategy into the conversations with my clients because it brings designs to the next level. The other thing that I do to stand out is actually care about each of my clients - I value each and everyone of them and don't just seem them as a paycheck.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Right now, I’m working on a few Squarespace websites for small businesses in Colorado, an impactful infographic and annual luncheon fundraiser for a non-profit based in Denver and a few logo designs for startups.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is modern and elegant with pops of color and a little bit of wit. My website is actually a great representation of my taste because I truly designed it just for me.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Building Squarespace websites is my jam! I seriously could do it all day and it would never feel like work. I love seeing it come together from the initial kickoff call through the launch.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I’m sure I’m not the only creative person who prefers to let other people do math for them, so accounting and the financial side of running a business without fail seems to end up on the bottom of my to do list.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would have them help me with social media and accounting. Everything from creating a curated Insta feed to promoting pins to scanning receipts for expense tracking...these things get moved on my to-do list pretty much everyday to the next day when I just keep putting them off.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Trust the process and have patience that the right thing is coming.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I think I would want to find out more about maintaining a consistent workflow and business coming in and staying sane throughout the ebbs and flows.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I’m primarily looking for Squarespace web design/strategy projects, branding suite opportunities and logo designs. This is what I really love to do! But I also am looking for other graphic design projects like infographics, invitation designs, postcards and other marketing materials.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal client is a small business owner who is either starting out or has been at it for awhile, but is looking to bring their business to the next level. I would partner with them to design a brand suite that would then be incorporated into a new Squarespace website. Along the way, I would help them strategically think through what their goals and business dreams are to make sure we are finding their dream customers.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
I offer packages for my design services:
Website Design + Strategy - $1,950
Brand Suite - $1,375
Logo Design - $765
And for all other a la carte designs I charge an hourly rate of $75.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
I’m one of those people who a) doesn’t answer calls unless I know the person calling and b) doesn’t think voicemail should exist...so email is my preferred method of communication when I’m in the first date stage with clients. After initial contact, I’m all about calls and getting to know each other on a much deeper level - I’m pretty passionate about my clients and care for each one I bring on board with the goal of having a long-last relationship that we both value.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Stay curious with open eyes.
This member profile was originally published in July 2018.