Hi, I’m Melissa
I’m a Fractional Brand Designer based in Tempe, AZ.
I bring the strategic thinking of a creative director and the hands-on execution of a senior designer, on a recurring basis that fits your organization’s needs.
WHAT IS A FRACTIONAL BRAND DESIGNER?
Senior creative support, right-sized for your business.
Having a fractional brand designer on your team is like having a creative director and senior designer in one, embedded in your team on a consistent and recurring basis, not parachuted in for a single project.
I get to know your brand, your goals, and your organization. Over time, that context compounds: less briefing, faster execution, and work that holds together across every touchpoint—from brand strategy to website design to the day-to-day marketing collateral that keeps your brand alive.
Consistency
A dedicated recurring time, so you always know when work is happening.
Strategic Execution
I think like a creative director and produce like a senior designer.
Low Overhead
Senior talent without the recruiting, onboarding, or payroll complexity
“Melissa has the rare combination of creative excellence, technical curiosity, and reliability that you almost never find in a single person. She makes the entire team better, and honestly, I don’t know what we’d do without her. Any organization would be lucky to work with her. She’s the gold standard for what a contractor (and a teammate) should be.”
EMILY ROEDER
LEAD DESIGNER, FULLSTORY
What an embedded design partner actually makes possible
When you have a senior designer who knows your brand and shows up consistently, a few things change:
Your brand grows with intention, not by accident.
Without ongoing creative stewardship, brands drift. This is because decisions made in isolation don't connect. An embedded partner helps keep everything cohesive as you grow.
You stop re-explaining yourself.
Every new freelancer or agency engagement comes with a re-briefing tax. An ongoing partnership skips that. I already know the context, which means we spend less time catching up and more time shipping work that lands.
You get the thinking, not just the making.
Senior design thinking and fast, capable execution in one person means fewer handoffs, less translation loss, and work that arrives closer to done. I can easily understand the thinking behind the project brief, which means you don't have to over-explain it to get great output.
Curious about how engagements work?
Select organizations I’ve partnered with
“After working with Melissa at Strong Design for several years, there are four key reasons I value her continued involvement: Consistent, high-quality work. The ability to receive feedback, yet push back when appropriate. The best communication and organization I’ve ever seen in the creative field. And professionalism—she values her work and carries herself as a true professional.”
DAVID SCHOENECKER
FORMER COO, BASE COMMERCE
RECENT WORK
Fullstory
An ongoing retainer partnership with a SaaS analytics company, spanning two rebrand initiatives, and a steady stream of digital and print collateral—proof that embedded design only gets stronger with time.
Ready for a design partner who shows up consistently?
Let’s talk about where your brand is headed, and whether a fractional partnership might be the right fit.
Or email me directly at hello@strongdesign.co ➝