Check Out Anna Long’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Long.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a graphic designer and illustrator originally from the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and I have lived in Denver, CO for about four years now. I have always been into some form of art – my background is in fine art. I grew up doing a lot of painting and drawing as a kid and art class was always my favorite class in school. Once I got to college, I chose graphic design as a major and I had zero idea what it entailed, (I just knew that it was artsy) so I ran with it, and I am so glad I did!

While I first got my design start in college, I got my package design start in craft beer. When I was 21 years old, a new and well-known brewery in my college town hired me to be their designer. I was extremely proud to design their first beer bottle and beer can they sold on the market. After seeing something I had designed sitting on a shelf for sale in a liquor store… man was I hooked. I quickly fell in love with package design, specifically for the beverage design. I have been designing for the craft beer industry for 6 years, and I have also been designing for other beverage industries, specifically coffee, for the past 3 years!

2021 was when I launched Norlo Design with my partner, Tevon Berka, and we decided that our focus was going to be graphic design for the beverage industry. Having years of experience in the industry myself, it made perfect sense for us to become experts in and cater to this very large and niche industry that we love so much. We love the clients we have gotten to work with these past couple of years, we have done some cool projects that I am super proud of!

In addition to our client work, we very recently added a new facet to our business – an e-commerce store! We sell products like stickers, art prints, coasters, etc. that are all inspired by the beverage industry. Super fun, animated, and playful designs that are universal and can make anyone smile! Make sure to check our online store out at www.norlodesign.com/shop

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think owning a business is ever a smooth road! There is a huge learning curve when you start a business and are your boss. We had to learn how to find clients and also manage multiple projects at one time. Figuring out what to charge clients for their projects can be a challenge as well- that was a big learning curve for us.

We are in the middle of a learning curve right now too! There have been a lot of things we had to figure out (and still are) for our online shop. Lots of hoops we didn’t know we had to jump through. Figuring out where to find certain resources and how to stay in compliance with the state, etc.

While it gets hard sometimes, I am very grateful for my partner, Tevon. We balance each other out very well and we have figured all of these challenges out together. Running a business with your significant other is fulfilling!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a graphic designer and illustrator who specializes in the beverage industry. The majority of my client work is super fun package design. Lots of beer can labels and coffee bags!

I think my fine art background gives me an edge, especially in package design because I look at packaging as an entire composition and I also can illustrate. I have practiced and trained myself to look at each surface that needs to be designed as an opportunity to showcase its design, but also how it’ll work as a whole. Almost like a visual puzzle! I also love incorporating hand-drawn illustrations when possible because I love how it pairs with graphic design.

I am most well-known for my illustrative style. I can do a variety of illustrative styles, which I pride myself on, but the style that I think most people know me for is my animated style. I have a line of ‘characters’ that are all inspired by craft beer, and they are featured on all of the products in our store.

They are funny, animated characters that all have different personalities but are in the same illustrative style. The characters I currently have right now are; pint glass people, beer can people, barleyman, and a hop person. All craft beer themed, BUT I am currently working on some other beverage characters like coffee and wine people. Stay tuned!

What does success mean to you?
What a good question! This is something I have been thinking about recently. I think it’s easy to quantify success through numbers like how much money you have or how many things you’ve sold. While that can be a way to look at success, I think it comes down to a couple of deeper things. Part of success for me is having people recognize my style/work. I am very intentional with my artwork and I spend a lot of time on it, so when people can see that and can see ME in the work as well, that means a lot.

While being financially stable is another way I view success, that is a smaller portion of it. I think one of the biggest parts of success is how you feel when you get whatever it is you want. Material things and money come and go, but how they make you feel never leaves. When I finish a project that I think I did a great job at, I feel proud of myself. I feel elated when people smile at my illustrated “characters,” it feels like I am connecting with people through my artwork, whether they know me personally or not.

I also feel amazing when I can help educate others about art or design in any capacity. I think success can be boiled down to a lot of different things, but how does success make you feel inside? To me, being successful is having an impact on others, feeling fulfilled, having a purpose, and being proud of myself and the work I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.norlodesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/norlodesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norlodesign
• Other: Our online store: https://www.norlodesign.com/shop