How My Wife's Cancer Journey Impacted My View on Design

Question 001

How did design help you process or express your emotions during this challenging time?

"I made more time to design for me, giving myself full design freedom to come up with whatever came to mind. This really helped me draw out the emotions I was feeling, so I could just put them out there and move on. Similar to how people journal, but the design version I guess.

Now the thing that really sparked my creativity over the past 7-8 months to fuel those designs has been disposable cameras. My wife and I have really enjoyed going back to the basics, of just snapping photos in the moment and not worrying too much about perfection. Something about the way film looks feels so intimate and personal. I think its because its more of an "in the moment" thing honestly.

Either way, I believe the disposable cameras decreased my need for perfection, and let me live in the moment more. Then I was able to turn around and use those photos in my designs or a in carousel on my personal instagram.

Question 002

Did creating certain designs or artworks offer a sense of control or healing?

Ten thousand percent, and I think its more than just the digital designs I post on my madebymartick account. I've worked hard to embrace all artistic aspects of my life in order to be more authentic to who I am, but also to heal everything I have felt. From sprinkling some design elements into my personal instagram posts to dressing a little more "creativity", I felt like I could really put out more of my creativity into the world.

I think this has been an important lesson for me too, as my creative work and life aren't necessarily two separate entities. Nearly every moment of the day I am thinking something related to art or design, and a few pieces of work here and there just weren't going to cut it for me.

Now if I had to single out a specific design to answer this, It would have to be the Elevate Your Perspective Hoodie I designed with No Rivals. The quote on the back ,"At the summit, where earth and sky embrace, we find a view that belongs only to those who dare to climb.", really highlights on the fact that the journey can be tough, but the destination would be worth it. I wrote that with our journey in mind, and I can't even describe what it meant to me to see the design come to laugh.

Also, just a little easter egg, but the idea of the climb paid homage to one of my first hoodie designs I made that said "Keep Climbing".

Creative Development and Design

With a defined strategy in place, we move into the creative development and design phase, where the brand’s visual identity takes shape. This includes the creation of the logo, color palette, typography, and any other design elements that represent the brand visually. But this isn’t just about making things look “nice”—it’s about ensuring that every element is purposeful, cohesive, and aligned with the brand’s essence.

For instance, a modern, minimalistic logo might reflect a forward-thinking tech company, while a classic, serif font might evoke tradition and trustworthiness. Color psychology also plays a role; each color conveys a particular mood or feeling, and we choose colors that align with the brand’s emotional objectives. Throughout this phase, we work collaboratively with our clients, presenting design concepts, gathering feedback, and iterating on ideas until we have a visual identity that perfectly encapsulates the brand.

Implementation and Brand Guidelines

The final step is implementing the brand identity across all relevant touchpoints and creating a comprehensive set of brand guidelines. These guidelines act as a roadmap, ensuring that the brand remains consistent and recognizable no matter where or how it appears. This includes detailed instructions on logo usage, color codes, typography, image style, tone of voice, and more.

Implementation is about bringing the brand identity to life, whether through a website, social media, packaging, or marketing materials. We ensure every element is consistent with the brand’s core identity and that each touchpoint speaks the same language. Consistency is key in building brand recognition, and clear brand guidelines help maintain it even as the brand grows and evolves.

Conclusion

Creating an impactful brand identity is a journey that goes far beyond the design phase. It’s about understanding, strategizing, creating, and implementing a cohesive representation of a brand’s essence that speaks to its audience and stands out in the market. Through our meticulous, step-by-step process, we ensure that each brand we work with is positioned for long-term recognition, loyalty, and growth. Our approach isn’t just about design; it’s about crafting identities that truly resonate.