In March 2026, I found out that a beer label I designed nearly three years ago had been ranked #9 in USA Today's 10 Best Beer Labels in the United States . My client messaged me the news, and I watched the countdown as the rankings were announced, feeling a mix of shock and disbelief. Out of all the beer labels I've designed—and I've done quite a few at this point—this one had caught the attention of editors and readers across the country. The beer? Ancestor's Dreams , a Vien

As we move into 2026, the landscape for emerging brands has never been more crowded—or more complicated. AI tools have made it easier than ever to launch a business, create content, and build a digital presence. But here's the problem: when everyone has access to the same tools, everything starts to look the same. Generic logos. Templated websites. AI-generated content that feels hollow. Brands thatpost for the sake of posting, with no strategy behind it. In a world drowning

When over 1,500 people lined up outside El Sueñito Brewing Company's grand opening in February 2023, it wasn't just another brewery launch in Washington. It was a moment. The state's first queer Latinx-owned brewery was opening its doors, and the community showed up in force. I'd been working with founders Osbaldo and Dennis since 2021—first on their brand identity, then their website, and eventually the launch itself. By the time those doors opened in Bellingham, we'd spent