FROM THE DESK | ISSUE 017

FIELD NOTES | Why Your Media Matters

We’re gonna go out on a limb here and say it… stock media kind of sucks. Even the newer platforms that promise curated, elevated content still end up feeling… well, stock-y. And your audience? They can smell it from a mile away.

That’s not to say there’s never a place for it. As designers, we’ve leaned on the right stock image many times to sell a concept, round out a deck or create brand assets that don’t actually have anything to do with us or our service (peep On Our Radar for an example of good stock imagery in action). But when it comes to building your actual brand universe, selling your goods or service? Stock just doesn’t cut it.

Media matters. Big time.

The photography and video you use tells people what your brand feels like. Whether it’s product shots, BTS footage, or just those everyday moments captured in a way that aligns with your identity, it all adds up. And it’s one of the biggest differentiators when it comes to making a lasting impression.

So if you’re looking to take your brand beyond the basics, don’t let media be an afterthought. Find the right people to help bring your vibe to life. Whether that’s a product photographer, a filmmaker, or just a buddy with a decent camera and a good eye. Just make sure it feels like you.

Because if you try to fake it with overly-polished, soulless visuals? Trust us. People can tell. And they’ll scroll right past.

FRESH OFF THE DESK | A Few 9 Dollar Beauties

It’s been a minute since we shone the spotlight on our $9 Designs, and we figured this was the perfect time to bring a few of them back into view.

If you’re new here, these are quick-hit, fully built designs, we’re talkin’ storefronts, mascots, logos, and more, that are ready to use as-is or easily customized to fit your brand. Think of them as a shortcut to good design without cutting corners.

Our drop from July leant heavily into vintage storefronts. A healthy dose of gritty charm, old-school signage vibes, and that worn-in feeling like these shops have been holding it down on the block for decades. Perfect for a fall merch run or that branding refresh you’ve been putting off.

Each design is plug-and-play: editable files, licensing for commercial use, and a price tag that won’t hurt your wallet (because, y’know… nine bucks, c’mon).

Hit the link below to check out what’s in stock. And keep your eyes peeled, we’re cooking up some more to send out soon.

ON OUR RADAR | The Studio Rotation

Last week we shared Wavey, our sun-faded, surfy, summer playlist, and a few folks followed along on our Spotify, So we figured, why not just make the whole set public?

Whether we’re deep in a design sprint, chruning through some admin, or just need a vibe reset between calls, music plays a huge role in keeping the vibe where we need it. Here's a quick look at the rotation:

Flow State Frequency Ambient, instrumental and a subtle groove. Meant to lock you into the zone without stealing your focus.

Wavey Lo-fi surf grooves, warm guitars, and coastal haze. Built for long summer evening feels, year round.

Giv’er Turn it up and get ‘er done. Rock-forward, gritty, and just the right amount of chaos to blast through to-do lists.

Higher Level Golden-era hip hop meets newer rhythm-heavy gems. We’ve found it great for sketching, writing, or moodboarding.

Dirt Roads Acoustic, alt-country, front porch vibes. Best enjoyed with a Coors, a flannel, and dirty boots.

You can check them all out over on our Spotify profile below. Save a few, shuffle ’em up, and let us know which one you’ve got on repeat.

That’s a wrap on this week’s desk notes.

Whether you’re leaving with some spicy media takes, some $9 magic, or even just something good to throw on the speakers, we’re glad you took the time to read this week.

We’ll see you around the same time, definitely in the same inbox, next week.

Rory & Suz