Ryan Mayer
Brand Strategist + Brand Designer + Digital Artist
EST. MCMLXXV
Never fakin’ the funk
head anklesbefore.
I’ll get thrown out of this Ikea soon.
I am always curious, and I love learning! Especially about everyone's passion. Specifically why they started their business and, basically, why they do what they do. With that being said, my focus is on delivering purpose-built creativity that works to help driven companies create maximum impact in the world. Annnnd I have a helluva time doing it!
I work closely and collaboratively with businesses of all sizes, agencies and entrepreneurs by providing strategic and creative branding, design, interactive and advertising solutions that help you stand out in a crowded marketplace and connect with your ideal audience. When necessary, I also draw on the talents of my collaborative network of very talented colleagues to bring your brand and stories to life.
I am currently the Founder & Principal Creative at Bluehaus Creative, an independent Brand + Design Studio started in 2008. Before venturing out on my own, I worked for various small and medium-sized agencies, corporate in-house and contract positions, working with multiple clients and industries and learning every step of the way! If you have a project in mind or an idea you'd like to explore together, I encourage you to connect with me. Let's discuss my availability and how we can work together to bring your vision to life.
I can also be found with my face buried in a freshly created digital art piece/creative photo manipulation. This is where I can bring unrestricted internal and often surreal ideas out into the real world. I'm such a curious person and question everything, so this is a place for me to work out ideas and learn various techniques and skills. Some of these projects can be found here in my Digital Art section and on my Instagram and Dribbble pages. Please be sure to like, share and let me know what you think about them when you stop by there.
That’s a little peek into my professional life, but there’s more to me than work. When I’m not crafting innovative solutions for exceptional people, you might catch me in the gym at 4:30 am with my beautiful (and strong) wife. And when I’m not sweating it out, I’m either in the kitchen preparing delicious meals (or attempting to, at least) or finding solace in dimly lit, atmospheric places while enjoying a cold beer or a fine whiskey. Oh, and fun facts—I was once a ring bearer in a stranger’s tropical wedding as a kid, wearing only a football jersey and a speedo; I’ve made snow angels on top of the Swiss Alps; I proposed to my now wife on the grounds of the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, Germany, and don’t even get me started on cheese.
Ps. And hey, you're looking really great today!
Join me as we delve into the principles that shape my work, creating a synergy between passion, authenticity, and continuous growth. Let's embark on a design journey that resonates with purpose and leaves a lasting impact.
Design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about functionality too. Creativity can tackle any challenge, and I believe in embracing the unknown and learning from setbacks. I thrive on the collective energy of experience and talent to achieve the best results. I'm driven by passion, dedicated to client success, and committed to genuine, effective design. And trust me, there's no fakin’ the funk here!
Passion, hustle, dedication – that's why I'm in this game. I bring a unique process and unwavering commitment to every project. Curiosity fuels my creativity, pushing me to explore innovative solutions. I embrace the grind, infuse positivity, and make my Mama proud through my hard work and authenticity.
I'm all about growth – in design, at the gym, and in life. Stagnation isn't my style; there's always something new to learn. I thrive on pushing boundaries, trying new things, and setting higher standards for myself. Progress is my mantra, and I'm constantly on the hunt for new knowledge.
Why complicate things? I believe in simplicity's power to solve problems. By focusing on function and getting to the core, I find the most effective solutions. Form follows function, and simplicity often wins the day.
Authenticity is my cornerstone – I dive deep to craft real solutions. I treat people with the respect I expect, aiming for honesty in all interactions. While backrubs, feather fanning, and grape feeding aren't part of the deal (seriously!), I'm straight-up professional and fully committed to building genuine connections.
In a noisy world, clarity is key. Swift decisions, transparent communication, and a passion for problem-solving define my approach. I value agility and iteration, but I also respect the importance of data and a clear roadmap. Staying focused on the big picture lets us combine intuition and data for smarter decisions.
Results matter to me. I'm wholeheartedly invested in my clients' success and work diligently to help them achieve their goals. No pretending here – I'm genuine, dedicated, and fully committed to making things happen.
I strive to create brand experiences that emotionally engage and connect with their consumers. Connecting all of the dots of a modern brand strategy is a massive undertaking. Ensuring all components that make up your brand - from your messaging to your digital footprint to your people - are working together to achieve your goals, resonate with your audience, and deliver a return on investment is a strategic team effort.
Thus the projects I work on are always a combination of the following services that make brands thrive.
Our process always starts with why. A clever plan of action designed to achieve an overall aim. Not to be confused with a plan to overthrow small countries. I set you apart within your marketplace by giving your brand a unique identity. By effectively telling your brand's story, I enable you to stand out in the hearts and minds of your audience. I inject the creative direction to draw out your brand promise and craft brand guidelines to give your organization a consistent tone of voice that resonates clearly with potential customers.
I set you apart within your marketplace by giving your brand a unique identity. By effectively telling your brand's story, I enable you to stand out in the hearts and minds of your audience. I inject the creative direction to draw out your brand promise and craft brand guidelines to give your organization a consistent tone of voice that resonates clearly with potential customers. I adhere to the principle of elegant simplicity so that your message stands out, whatever the medium. My creative work effectively influences behaviour and inspires your audience to love and trust your brand. I design to connect with people in the real world — through print and digital media.
All my work is tied back to your business objectives; I insist that you see a return on investment for every penny you spend with me. I deploy the right marketing channels for your specific business situation and develop a clear strategic plan to deliver results for your brand in both the short and long term. Whether organic search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising or new branded media assets, I craft an intelligent integrated strategy to take your brand to the next level.
It doesn’t end there. We’ll help you with brand management, content development, website maintenance and advertising after launch. We also support our clients with interim workshops to keep their business progressing, examining trends and culture, customer feedback and reviews.
Before starting a project, we'll discuss the nature of the project and gather information about your business, story, problems, overall challenges, expectations, and desired outcomes. This initial consultation helps us determine compatibility and build a collaborative relationship. To be a good match, you should value your craft, respect branding, and be a good person. If it's a good fit, we may even become friends.
During the research phase, I study your industry, competitors, and target audience to inform the design process and strategy. I analyze underlying factors that drive the business and customer behaviour and identify opportunities to build and nurture brand purpose. This phase defines the destination and develops a roadmap involving research and conceptualization to understand challenges and opportunities.
The strategy phase takes the insights gained from the research phase and integrates your values, business goals, and future vision. It establishes the tone of your communication and unlocks your brand's potential both within and outside the organization. This step includes clarifying the brand structure across the organization and defining a cohesive set of values and direction for your team. The strategy is a unifying focal point, guiding your team and steering the brand's trajectory. The outcome is a comprehensive brand strategy encompassing your brand's philosophy, target audience, competitive landscape, and overarching objectives.
Design is essential for expressing your brand's strategy. Through research and creativity, I'll create a brand identity system that encapsulates its strategy and visually translates it distinctly and engagingly. This phase visualizes your strategy-aligned brand through storytelling. After exploring diverse directions, I'll craft one strong concept, ensuring a concise, impactful and memorable solution.
In this phase, we develop core brand elements and applications, refining designs based on client feedback. Careful execution is key to project success. We establish key touchpoints and Brand Guidelines for consistency. Two refinement rounds assess effectiveness and growth opportunities. I ensure alignment with your brand's essence and audience needs through honest communication.
This phase delivers finished brand assets to the market, audience, employees, and environment. Duration varies based on needs. A multi-channel approach is used, including a launch plan, advertising, and a brand film. Tasks like selecting gifts, coordinating with vendors, and arranging materials are involved. After approval, you receive the necessary files for a successful launch.
Elevate your brand's lasting success by maintaining standards and strategic goals. I provide continuous support, upkeep, and guidance, ensuring consistent application of brand elements across all platforms. This final phase emphasizes sustaining brand excellence. Additionally, I troubleshoot technical issues, monitor website performance, and enhance content for optimal relevance, aiming to boost conversion rates and traffic.
