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.
AI vs. Human Creativity: Why Design Still Needs People
AI can make logos and images in seconds, but speed is not strategy.
Why ADHD Built the Career I Was Meant For
My ADHD story isn’t about limits. It’s about how I built a career, and a studio, around the way I think.
When to Work for (Almost) Free
The design world loves to tell you never to work for free. Sometimes low-budget projects are actually worth taking.
Stop Romanticizing ADHD. Start Building Systems for It.
There's a version of ADHD that gets celebrated online. The chaos that somehow becomes charming.
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.
5 Mistakes That Weaken Your Brand Without You Noticing
Most brands do not fall apart in one dramatic moment.They weaken slowly.
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.
Signs You've Outgrown DIY Branding (And Need a Creative Professional)
DIY branding isn't a failure. It's a starting point.
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.
The Project That Changed How I Work
The project was supposed to be a booklet. I was young, confident, and convinced I knew what I was doing. I didn't.
“You don't always have to know where you're going to get somewhere interesting.”
— Roxane Gay