About
Building Support Systems
No one works alone. Hi, I'm Sarah, an independent designer for over 12 years working with businesses of every size and shape in markets from fashion to finance. I have built from idea to inception for startups, churned out flash banners as an ad agency grunt, been a cog in Big Beauty, a strategist for CPG, and researched ocean organisms for mobile app character design.
I have climbed every ladder from entry level to executive and decided that my place is not moving up or down but side to side, backwards, zig zag, and in squiggly lines in order to do the best work possible. I truly love helping people express an idea or rise to a challenge. Even better if that idea is aligned with the UN SDG's. Let's do good, together.
Sarah Mellen
Principal Designer
Sarah has over 20 years experience helping brands big and small communicate their purpose and find their audience. She's made club flyers in Chicago, built lookbooks in NY, logos in LA, apps from Big Sur, maps in Detroit, and is now building sustainability-focused brands in Cleveland where the rent is better and there are lots of trees.
Pfeiffer
Operations
Forged in the mountains of Sycamore Canyon and named after the famed Central Coast beach, Pfeiffer's spirit is wild and free but her internal sense of timing is more reliable than the sun rising to greet the day. Phife Dawg keeps the schedules ensuring no one gets so busy that they miss a walk or a meal. It's her gift. Also a big Tribe Called Quest fan, obvs.
Rye
Account Manager/ Talent
With a unique talent for footwear styling and the creative utilization of furniture, they didn't break the mold when they made Rye, they never even consulted it. She never takes her eye off the ball and exhibits commendable patience while being mistaken for a dalmatian. She's the rock of this operation and is always 'right on top of that Rose.'
Services
Brand Strategy / Identity Design / Packaging, Print, & Digital / Art Direction / Environmental & Exhibition / Presentation & Pitch
Clients
Art Expressions
BarkBiome
Columbus Street Financial
Consumer Dynamics
Cortland Preschool
Elevate42
Imerman Angels
Insights First
Keurig Dr Pepper
Prince Concepts
Reggio Chicago
The Strategy Group
Surowicz Consulting
Synbio International
The Value Engineers