Projects

Journal

About

Contact

Projects

Journal

About

Contact

Ian McDonough

Bird’s-eye strategy.
Brick-laying work ethic.

reach out

reach out

See the work

See the work

Based in

WEST Michigan

specialties

design strategy,
BRAND MAINTENANCE,
process improvement

fuel MIX

2:1 black coffee/oreos

quick intro

Hi, it's Ian. The guy from the photo. Since you're here, you should know I'm a senior designer building brands, product flows, and every kind of visual asset for industrial enterprises and SaaS startups. Also you have to keep scrolling, or I made this for no reason.

More of the story

More of the story

ask me things

ask me things

[01]

quick intro

[01]

Hi, it's Ian. The guy from the photo. Since you're here, you should know I'm a senior designer building brands, UX/UI flows, and all kinds of strategic assets for industrial enterprises and SaaS startups. You have to keep scrolling, or I made this for no reason.

More of the story

More of the story

ask me things

ask me things

quick intro

Hi, it's Ian. The guy from the photo. Since you're here, you should know I'm a senior designer building brands, product flows, and every kind of visual asset for industrial enterprises and SaaS startups. Also you have to keep scrolling, or I made this for no reason.

More of the story

More of the story

ask me things

ask me things

[01]

Projects

[02]

Case studies walking through ideas that led to impact.

Projects

[02]

Case studies walking through ideas that led to impact.

Campaign Design

View

3 weeks

Sustainable aviation fuel campaign

Sustainable aviation fuel campaign

Brand & Web Refresh

View

8 weeks

Managed services provider rebrand

Managed services provider rebrand

Makeup product for marketing campaign

Branding

View

3 weeks

International airport terminal assets

International airport terminal assets

Editorial

View

2 weeks

SaaS startup logo and brand

SaaS startup logo and brand

These are just a few highlights. I'll add more as availability allows.

Ask for specifics

Ask for specifics

These are just a few highlights. I'll add more as availability allows.

Ask for specifics

Ask for specifics

Skills

[03]

My design experience is pretty broad, and I'm happy to advise on a range of topics.

Skills

[03]

My design experience is pretty broad, and I'm happy to advise on a range of topics.

01

ART DIRECTION

Visual direction

Inspiration

Layout systems

I can guide the visual direction for a brand or a project. That includes references, layout rules, stylistic choices, and the overall look and feel. Brand trust happens when every page and asset follows the same logic.

02

BRANDING

Color palettes

Typeface choices

Brand personality guidelines

I can build or refine a brand into something clear, consistent, and practical. Get the essentials done properly: foundations, usage rules, and a system that can grow with your needs.

03

MARKETING

Campaign assets

Landing pages

Content templates

I design marketing assets that communicate quickly and look consistent across channels. This can include campaign concepts, landing pages, social content, and a repeatable system for team use.

04

WEB AND PRODUCT DESIGN

Component libraries

Responsive builds

Thoughtful UX

I design websites and apps that are fast, responsive, and simple to maintain. Structure comes first, followed by visual org in a polished final product that can send traffic smoothly to the right places.

05

PROCESS MANAGEMENT

System development

Communicaton Improvements

Efficiency Studies

My career has taken many turns, through agencies, print shops, freelancing, nightclubs, and factories. One thing has remained invaluable, regardless of setting: systems thinking. So much can be unlocked when you truly understand why you're doing what you're doing, and the best way to get it done.

01

ART DIRECTION

Visual direction

Inspiration

Layout systems

I can guide the visual direction for a brand or a project. That includes references, layout rules, stylistic choices, and the overall look and feel. Brand trust happens when every page and asset follows the same logic.

02

BRANDING

Color palettes

Typeface choices

Brand personality guidelines

I can build or refine a brand into something clear, consistent, and practical. Get the essentials done properly: foundations, usage rules, and a system that can grow with your needs.

03

MARKETING

Campaign assets

Landing pages

Content templates

I design marketing assets that communicate quickly and look consistent across channels. This can include campaign concepts, landing pages, social content, and a repeatable system for team use.

04

WEB AND PRODUCT DESIGN

Component libraries

Responsive builds

Thoughtful UX

I design websites and apps that are fast, responsive, and simple to maintain. Structure comes first, followed by visual org in a polished final product that can send traffic smoothly to the right places.

05

PROCESS MANAGEMENT

System development

Communicaton Improvements

Efficiency Studies

My career has taken many turns, through agencies, print shops, freelancing, nightclubs, and factories. One thing has remained invaluable, regardless of setting: systems thinking. So much can be unlocked when you truly understand why you're doing what you're doing, and the best way to get it done.

If you don't see explicit skill you need, don't worry—I'm a quick learner.

Book a call

Book a call

Process

[04]

How I break big bad problems into teeny tiny easy ones.

Process

[04]

How I break big bad problems into teeny tiny easy ones.

Process:

4 steps

Duration:

IT DEPENDS

Context

Understanding the challenge, the audience, and what success metrics look like. We draw conclusions based on tracked data, and attack the problem with what we know and can reasonably assume. Focus on the problem to solve, and don't fall in love with just one solution.

25%

Ideation

The roadmap to success takes shape. This is where I explore directions, test concepts, and refine until it feels right.

50%

Execution

With context and intentions in mind, I am able to create a polished product with attention to every detail and technical precision.

75%

Review

Polished does not always mean final. Frequently, teams cross the finish line with thoughtful collaboration on final tweaks. Beyond that, continuous improvement is always on my mind. I strongly encourage data tracking so future updates can start right back at step one.

100%

More about me

In 2018, I quit my design career to run logistics for a bike parts factory. I thought I'd found a different strength in the manufacturing world, working in process improvement. What actually happened was they needed help back in the marketing department. Turns out, process improvement thinking helps in design world too. Who knew?

The whole story

The whole story

Get in touch

Get in touch

[05]

More about me

[05]

In 2018, I quit my design career to run logistics for a bike parts factory. I thought I'd found a different strength in the manufacturing world, working in process improvement. What actually happened was they needed help back in the marketing department. Turns out, process improvement thinking helps in design world too. Who knew?

The whole story

The whole story

Get in touch

Get in touch

[06]

Nice Things People Said

[06]

Nice Things People Said

[06]

Nice Things People Said

  • 1/5

    "I actually really like the outcome. I was one of the ones that didn't really understand it at the beginning. It's not how my mind works. But now I can see it, and I appreciate it. I like it."

    Chris Brandvik

    COO/Owner, Bridgehead IT

  • 2/5

    "Ian's design strategy is thoughtful and grounded. He approaches every project with a clear point of view and a deep commitment to doing things the right way, not just the fast way. His creativity feels boundless, yet never undisciplined. And with clients, he is equally impressive: articulate, trustworthy, and the kind of person people feel immediately at ease with."

    Kelsey Arras

    Design Director

  • 3/5

    "Ian's got this rare combo we don't see enough of in the workplace today. He's got genuinely elite design chops, he gets to the good stuff fast, and he's gonna give it to you straight—but never in a way that makes you feel dumb for having ideas."

    Madison Willard

    Founder/Fractional CMO

  • 4/5

    Lorem Ipsum

    Name

    Title

  • 5/5

    Lorem Ipsum

    Name

    Title

  • 1/5

    "I actually really like the outcome. I was one of the ones that didn't really understand it at the beginning. It's not how my mind works. But now I can see it, and I appreciate it. I like it."

    Chris Brandvik

    COO/Owner, Bridgehead IT

  • 2/5

    "Ian's design strategy is thoughtful and grounded. He approaches every project with a clear point of view and a deep commitment to doing things the right way, not just the fast way. His creativity feels boundless, yet never undisciplined. And with clients, he is equally impressive: articulate, trustworthy, and the kind of person people feel immediately at ease with."

    Kelsey Arras

    Design Director

  • 3/5

    "Ian's got this rare combo we don't see enough of in the workplace today. He's got genuinely elite design chops, he gets to the good stuff fast, and he's gonna give it to you straight—but never in a way that makes you feel dumb for having ideas."

    Madison Willard

    Founder/Fractional CMO

  • 4/5

    Lorem Ipsum

    Name

    Title

  • 5/5

    Lorem Ipsum

    Name

    Title

  • 1/5

    "I actually really like the outcome. I was one of the ones that didn't really understand it at the beginning. It's not how my mind works. But now I can see it, and I appreciate it. I like it."

    Chris Brandvik

    COO/Owner, Bridgehead IT

  • 2/5

    "Ian's design strategy is thoughtful and grounded. He approaches every project with a clear point of view and a deep commitment to doing things the right way, not just the fast way. His creativity feels boundless, yet never undisciplined. And with clients, he is equally impressive: articulate, trustworthy, and the kind of person people feel immediately at ease with."

    Kelsey Arras

    Design Director

  • 3/5

    "Ian's got this rare combo we don't see enough of in the workplace today. He's got genuinely elite design chops, he gets to the good stuff fast, and he's gonna give it to you straight—but never in a way that makes you feel dumb for having ideas."

    Madison Willard

    Founder/Fractional CMO

  • 4/5

    Lorem Ipsum

    Name

    Title

  • 5/5

    Lorem Ipsum

    Name

    Title

I've worked with dozens of clients who trust me with their brand, local-sized to enterprise. I bet I can help you, too.

I've worked with dozens of clients who trust me with their brand, local-sized to enterprise. I bet I can help you, too.

Setup an intro call

Tell me what we're building

Let's cut through the noise and bring real strategy to your project.

Book a call

Book a call

Setup an intro call

Tell me what we're building

Let's cut through the noise and bring real strategy to your project.

Book a call

Book a call

Setup an intro call

Tell me what we're building

Let's cut through the noise and bring real strategy to your project.

Book a call

Book a call