Tori Simokov
Brand Designer / Creative Strategist / Creator, Window Seat
Brooklyn, NY
www.v1projects.com
instagram @toriambers
substack
Q What do you do?
“I’m a brand designer and creative strategist, which means I help good ideas look, sound, and feel as brilliant as they are. My focus areas are brand identity, brand collateral (especially newsletter, presentation and merchandise design), and brand strategy—but at the heart of it, I craft smart, beautiful creative for thoughtful founders, creatives, and storytellers ready to make an impact.”
I also write and produce Window Seat, a bestselling Substack newsletter exploring the art of traveling well.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
Before launching my own consultancy full-time, I spent a decade leading strategy for global brands in media, hospitality, and tech. Today, I bring that expertise to clients who want to build something with depth, whether it’s a brand, a launch, or a story that actually sticks.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
By combining utility with beauty and editorializing everything. Whether I’m designing a brand or writing a travel guide, I’m always thinking about how to make it functional, emotional, and visually resonant. I bring the eye of a designer, the mind of a strategist, and the sensibility of an editor.
Q What are you working on right now?
Building out the next phase of Window Seat, growing my consultancy, and networking as much as I can.
Q What’s your style?
Editorial, intentional, and transportive. I gravitate toward brands and experiences that tell a story—visually and emotionally. My newsletter is the best example of this: part travel diary, part trend report, and part personal essay, it captures my desire to make things both beautiful and useful.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Creating and growing my newsletter Window Seat has become one of the most unexpectedly rewarding parts of my creative career. I’d love to focus even more on helping other creatives do the same: bringing their own platforms to life with clarity and intention, as this intersection of personal voice and strategic execution is where I feel most energized.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Juggling the many hats of a solo creative business—content, consulting, design, strategy, admin, partnerships. My brain constantly feels like a browser with 50 tabs open.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Email + calendar management. Bonus points if they can keep my files organized and flag deadlines I keep pushing.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
I wish I could’ve told myself—years ago, in all those late nights spent working on side projects after my corporate job—that I’m capable of building something entirely my own. Believing in myself sooner would’ve changed everything, but I’m so proud I got here anyway.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Sustainable growth for small businesses—how to scale intentionally without selling out or burning out.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Creative partnerships with brands in travel, hospitality, or lifestyle. Newsletter strategy and design. Brand identity and visual storytelling work for founders and creators. Paid writing and editorial features that let me bring my distinctive point of view about traveling well.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
Ideal client: Someone who values design, storytelling, and thoughtfulness—who wants to create work that feels both elevated and grounded.
Ideal collaboration: Partnering with a design-forward hotel to create a merch collection that feels collectible—beautiful pieces that guests can wear, display, or gift long after check-out. Something that evokes the hotel’s vibe without screaming souvenir.
Q: What is your rate?
For those looking for clarity or a custom consult, I offer 50-minute 1:1 calls for $300. Strategy packages begin at $1,800, and small brand design packages start at $1,400. Full scope projects start at $4,500. Let’s talk about what you need and find the right fit.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Email me at tori@v1projects.com! I'd love to know what kind of budget you're working with, what you're looking to achieve, and why you think I'd be the right fit for your project.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Marissa Klurstein, a fellow Substack travel writer and creative strategist. She brings a sharp editorial eye to everything she does and upholds an incredibly high standard of taste and storytelling. I’m constantly inspired by her ability to blend voice, visuals, and value in a way that feels both elevated and effortless. Follow her! You won't regret it.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
By noticing everything—then writing it down.
This member profile was originally published in Janurary 2024, Updated June 2025.