Meet Brad Towsley of Brad Towsley Creative Design in F. Q. Story Historic Neighborhood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Towsley.

Brad, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It’s often not presented in this way, but I think most of us struggle when we’re younger to find that one thing that will eventually turn into a career. It was no different for me. The only focus I had was this recurring theme that I was “creative”. The real trigger was when I started exploring graphic design. Specifically, Kit Hinrichs work. There was something fascinating about how a professional graphic designer could take all these pieces of information and turn them into something that was visually stunning, while also communicative. It seemed both challenging and rewarding. Twenty years later, after working at multiple graphic design firms and advertising agencies in Chicago and Phoenix, I am now an independent graphic designer. While working for others certainly had its ups and downs, the experience gave me the ambition, and the confidence in my abilities, to go off on my own and build professional relationships and create designs in the way I wanted. It was the best decision I ever made. I’ve now been working independently for several years. Working as I do now, I’m able to create a life that suits me. I get to choose the clients I work for, travel when I want, and allow those experiences to inspire me and create a life I really enjoy.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not… but what is? The creative industry can be tough on many fronts. For one, it’s an extremely competitive field. While working in agencies, you’re constantly pitted against other designers in the hopes that your visual direction will be the one the client uses. The biggest struggle I had was adapting to agency life. It’s competitive, not overly friendly, and it required extremely long, repetitious hours where you had to be constantly creative. In my opinion, the repetitive formula it generates isn’t always the best way to achieve great design for a client. Originality comes from allowing the creative process to unfold naturally. Granted, you can’t expect to have that kind of creative freedom all the time, but as an independent graphic designer, I do my best to allow for such opportunities. In the end, it leads to an appropriate, distinctive design solution and a happy client. And that’s my goal.

Brad Towsley Creative Design – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
There are so many types of graphic design projects; brochures, annual reports, book designs, etc.. I’ve had my hands in them all over the years, in one way or another. What I’ve been focusing on the most lately, and likely what I’m most known for, is logo and identity design, and (though not exclusively) design work for the food and beverage industry. In this capacity I’ve gotten to work on some really fun projects– I’ve created several wine labels that employed illustrations, restaurant and cocktail menus for hotels, and large format graphics for big events. However, my favorite work is logo design. It’s a unique challenge for each client. Whether it’s a new business or an existing one that needs a “rebrand”, every single business requires a different design solution that’s most appropriate to them and their market. I take a lot of pride in my process when creating logos and identities. It requires a deep understanding of the businesses needs and an effective design solution. It goes back to what intrigued me about graphic design in the first place by compiling a plethora of information into a single image that conveys a unique and clear message. To see something start from a pencil sketch to a final image that’s then incorporated into many visual systems is incredibly rewarding to me. I recently created a logo mark for a client and he said, “I wasn’t sure what I needed or wanted, but now that I see this, I know it’s exactly what I need and what I’m looking for”. You can see the excitement and satisfaction in their faces. Those are good days.

Do you feel like there are certain traits that increase the likelihood of success?
Simply being nice is a good start. I think people underestimate the value of kindness when you’re doing business. For me personally, success isn’t only defined by making a client happy, but how I conducted myself with that client. Clients are putting their trust in you, your skills, and your ability to be dependable. If at the end of the day, I can say honestly to myself that I did my best, that I was not only professional but genuine, then I know I reached some level of success.

Contact Info:

• Address: Phoenix, Arizona
• Website: bradtowsley.com
• Phone: 480.203.7463
• Email: brad@bradtowsley.com
• Instagram: @bradtowsley

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