Conversations with Claire Cunningham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Cunningham

Hi Claire, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
At five years old, I knew I wanted to be an artist. My aunt took me to an art class at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, and something inside me clicked. From that moment on, I couldn’t stop creating. I started a little business, CLA Company (C-Claire, L-Lauren (my sister), A-Adam (my cousin), designing greeting cards for all holidays, and our family’s Christmas programs. Then when my parents bought a computer, I would spend hours on the DOS system figuring out how to design cards digitally.

In high school, I had to research an art career for a class project. That’s when I stumbled upon graphic design and realized that simply being an “artist” wasn’t enough—I needed a direction. I pursued a degree in Graphic Design at Colorado State University, and in my first class, I learned the art of manipulating type by hand. Exacto knives became an extension of my fingers (and my scars prove it). I learned to see imperfections no one else noticed, and I discovered that PMS wasn’t just premenstrual syndrome—it was also a color system that would dictate much of my career.

I won’t lie—seeing the talent of my peers in that first year made me panic. To give myself options, I added a second degree in Art Education. But during my student teaching, a kid threw up on me in the middle of a clay pot demonstration, and I had an epiphany: I needed to work with adults. (Also, my pirate-mouth didn’t exactly fit in outside of the teacher’s lounge.)

Fast forward a few years, and I landed a role as a production manager at a small advertising agency back in Kansas City. The moment I walked through those doors, I knew—I had found my people. Long days, 3 a.m. press checks, belly laughs that left me in tears, and the thrill of seeing our work win awards—this was my world. I climbed the ranks to Art Director, but in advertising, if you stay in one place too long, you risk getting stale. After a few years, it was time to move on.

My next chapter launched me into the world of travel, hospitality, and tourism. I worked with national and international brands, flew around the world directing photo shoots, and designed campaigns that would be seen in publications like Condé Nast Traveler and Traveler+Leisure. It was a dream job… until it wasn’t.

Then, everything changed. My nephew was born, and I fell in love at first sight. Yep, I left my dream job for a guy.

I took a leap of faith—quit, rented out my condo, moved to the middle of the Arizona desert to be near family, and immediately thought, “What the hell did I just do?” I went from being a hotshot designer in a vibrant city to starting over from scratch. If you ever need a humbling experience, try that sometime.

Needing a fresh start, I took a design job at an online media company just to be around people my own age. It was a stepping stone, but it led me to something bigger. I started freelancing for Fox Restaurant Concepts, and within months, I was brought on full-time. That role changed everything.

This was a company of hustlers—people passionate about what they did, moving at the speed of light to launch and grow restaurant brands. Our marketing team handled it all: branding, menus, uniforms, social media, packaging—you name it. I’ll never forget the process of designing the original Flower Child menu. I revised that damn thing at least a thousand times, printing it out full-size, watching the culinary team mark it up, and tweaking version after version until we nailed it. But when you see a brand you helped build thrive, every late night is worth it.

I was part of something incredible, working on brands like The Henry, True Food Kitchen, North Italia, Culinary Dropout, Sauce Pizza + Wine and more. But then, my body and mind started asking a question I couldn’t ignore: “Is this sustainable?”

The answer came one Sunday afternoon. I was alone at the office, and ended up getting locked in the bathroom stall above a packed restaurant’s kitchen. (If you’ve ever been to The Henry on the weekend – you’ll know what I’m talking about.) No one could hear me scream. The lights went out. And as I sat there in silence, I had a little chat with God. Something had to change. (Side note: always take your phone to the bathroom. Always.) A few hours later, a colleague came to my rescue, but my decision was made—I needed to take another leap of faith. I didn’t know where it would lead, but I trusted that if I followed my passion, it would work out.

I thought I’d take time off, maybe figure things out slowly. Instead, I hit the ground running. Clients started reaching out, opportunities flooded in, and suddenly, I was in business for myself – Claire Cunningham Creative came to life. Fast forward ten years, and I’ve worked with restaurant groups, real estate companies, salons, pet pharmaceutical companies, product design and launches, media companies—crafting logos, menus, branding, murals, packaging, and the list goes on. I’ve helped brands grow from one location to 30, taken concepts from napkin sketches to grand openings, and collaborated with some of the most passionate people in the industry.

And I’m still learning. Still growing. Still grateful.
When I look back at my five-year-old self, I thank her for planting the seed that grew into this incredible journey. There’s nothing more fulfilling than bringing a client’s vision to life and experiencing the joy of creating something new every single day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Through every twist and turn, the journey wasn’t always easy. There were moments of doubt, times when the competition felt overwhelming, and seasons where I questioned whether I had made the right choices. The pressure in the creative industry is relentless—everything is subjective, and you’re only as good as your last project. In the restaurant world, there’s no time to waste. Once an owner signs a lease, the clock starts ticking, and expectations are sky-high.

There were late nights, impossible deadlines, and moments when exhaustion made me wonder if I could keep up. Leaving the comfort of a stable career—twice—was terrifying. Starting over in an unfamiliar city felt isolating. Freelancing meant uncertainty—some months were overflowing with work, while others had me holding my breath, waiting for the next opportunity.

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It demands resilience, adaptability, and a deep trust that things will work out, even when you can’t see the full picture. But every challenge, every setback, every scar—literal and figurative—was a stepping stone to something greater. Each experience shaped me, sharpened my skills, and led me to where I am today.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
People often ask me what I do, and while the simple answer is “I’m a graphic designer,” the truth is—I’m a creator. I get to bring ideas to life.

My specialty is restaurant branding. I’ve worked with both existing brands and brand-new concepts, helping shape everything from the name and logo to the brand story and full visual identity. Since launching Claire Cunningham Creative in 2015, I’ve had the opportunity to create and help grow restaurants like Cham Pang Lanes, Pyro, Doughbird, Flower Child, Sauce Pizza + Wine, Modern Market, Culinary Dropout, True Food Kitchen to name a few… but, it’s easier to show you my work than explain it.

What sets me apart? Speed, passion, and a complete lack of ego. I put my heart and soul into every project. There’s nothing better than sitting with a client, hearing their vision, and turning it into something real. And the best part? Driving down the street and seeing that vision come to life.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
To anyone dreaming of a creative career—whether working for someone else or launching your own thing—here’s my advice:
* Stay humble.
* Be open to new ideas and ways of working.
* Embrace collaboration—none of us do this alone.
* Do the things that scare you.
* Don’t wait—life is short.
* Know that things may not happen exactly as you planned, but they will work out in the way that is best for you.
So, let’s go make some epic sh*t together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://clairecunninghamcreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c_clairecreate/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clairecunninghamcreative
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cunninghamc/

Image Credits
Flagship Restaurant Group, True Food Kitchen, Fox Restaurant Concepts, The Smyth House