What I’ve Learned from Working With Both Big Brands and Solo Creatives

Spoiler: Both have their own kind of magic—and chaos.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients—from global powerhouses with multi-layered teams and bottomless budgets to passionate solo entrepreneurs building their dream business from the ground up.

And if you’re wondering which I prefer… well, it’s complicated. Because the truth is: both come with their own rhythm, rewards, and very real challenges.

Working across this creative spectrum has taught me a lot—about communication, collaboration, trust, and what it really means to bring a vision to life. So I thought I’d share a few behind-the-scenes insights in case you’re curious about what it’s like to design in both worlds (or looking to hire someone who can move between them with ease).

1. Big Brands = Structure. Solo Creatives = Speed.

When working with big brands, there’s usually a process for everything. There are departments. There are rounds of approval. There are meetings about the meeting.

It can be a lot—but it also means there’s clarity, consistency, and clearly defined roles. You usually know who’s doing what and why.

Solo creatives, on the other hand, move fast. Decisions happen over DMs. Deadlines can shift on a whim. You’re often wearing five hats as the designer, strategist, therapist, and creative coach.

✨ The key? Adaptability. Know when to lean into structure—and when to pivot in real time.

2. Vision Is Powerful—But So Is Flexibility

Big brands often come with established brand guides, tone-of-voice documents, and non-negotiable color palettes. They’ve spent years refining their identity, and your job is to stay on brand while pushing the envelope just enough to keep things fresh.

Solo creatives, meanwhile, usually come with a big vision—and a whole lot of “I don’t know how to make it real.”

You’re building the brand as you build the assets. That freedom can be exhilarating—but also overwhelming if the vision keeps evolving mid-project.

✨ I’ve learned to ask the right questions upfront, whether I’m dealing with a billion-dollar brand or a bold new business idea. Clarity = creativity’s best friend.

3. Big Brands Trust the Process. Solo Creatives Trust the Person.

With large companies, your work often speaks for itself. There’s a sense of, “You’ve done this before. We trust your process.”

But with solo creatives? It’s deeply personal. You’re not just building a brand—you’re building something that reflects who they are.

They’re emotionally invested. They may have imposter syndrome. They might feel nervous about spending money. They’re hiring you as much as they’re hiring your skills.

✨ That’s taught me to lead with empathy and transparency. Sometimes, the real magic happens when you make a client feel seen before you make their brand look good.

4. Neither Size Guarantees a Smooth Project

Don’t let the size fool you:

• I’ve had solo creatives run the most organized, crystal-clear projects ever.
• I’ve had massive brands where things felt chaotic, even with a full team.

At the end of the day, smooth projects come down to communication, boundaries, expectations, and mutual respect—not budget or brand size.

✨ Lesson learned: Never assume. Always clarify.

5. The Best Work Comes From True Collaboration

Whether I’m working with a household name or a brand-new side hustle, the projects that light me up—and get the best results—are the ones where we’re co-creating, not just checking boxes.

Where ideas flow both ways.
Where feedback is thoughtful.
Where we’re building something together—not just trading revisions.

✨ The size of the brand doesn’t matter as much as the energy behind the collaboration. That’s what creates magic.

Final Thoughts: Both Worlds Have Shaped Me

I’m grateful for the big brands that taught me how to scale, systemize, and deliver at a high level. I’m just as grateful for the solo creatives who remind me that design is deeply human, emotional, and alive.

Working with both has made me a better listener, a sharper strategist, and a more flexible designer.

And no matter who I’m working with—big, small, or somewhere in between—my mission stays the same:
✨ To tell your story beautifully and boldly.