The Fifth Perspective
Brand strategy, creative direction, and the decisions that make or break how a business shows up. I write about brand identity, web design, working with clients, and running a creative business with ADHD. Some posts are practical. Some are personal. All of it comes from over a decade of doing the work.
No jargon, just real talk for creatives, founders and marketing leads tired of generic advice.
Scope Creep Is Just People-Pleasing in Disguise
Every creative has a scope creep story. The "quick favor" that turned into three weeks of unbilled work.
Too Much Creative Freedom Is a Bad Thing
The worst thing a client can say to me is "just do whatever you think is best." It's a setup for a project that goes sideways.
What You're Actually Paying for When You Commission an Illustration
When clients see an illustration invoice, they're often just seeing the final image. That finished file is the smallest part of what you're paying for.
Sometimes You Just Make It Blue.
At some point in your career, a client or manager will ask you to do something you disagree with.
What "Make It Pop" Really Means (And How to Give Better Feedback)
At some point in almost every project, someone says it. It's not bad feedback. It's just incomplete.
The Case for Continuous Brand Evolution
Most businesses treat their brand like a finished product. They invest in it once, and then leave it alone they can justify starting over.
How to Work with a Graphic Designer: 5 Things Clients Should Know
Most frustrating client-designer relationships share the same root cause: treating designers as execution resources instead of strategic partners. Here are five things that will help you get better work, faster timelines, and way less frustration.
Accessibility Basics for Non-Technical Leaders: What Matters, What's Misunderstood, and Where to Start
Accessibility conversations often get handed off to developers, and that's lazy leadership. You don't need to code to make sure your brand doesn't accidentally exclude people.
What It’s Like to Work with FifthHouse
Hiring a creative partner can feel like a gamble. You don't always know what you're getting until you're in it.
Why Marketing Directors are Turning to Fractional Creative Support
You need senior creative leadership, but hiring full-time isn't in the budget and freelancers can't fill the gap. Fractional creative support gives you strategic direction exactly when you need it, without the overhead.
“You don't always have to know where you're going to get somewhere interesting.”
— Roxane Gay