Today we’d like to introduce you to Janna Marmon.
Hi Janna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve always been the creative type. Growing up, I was that kid that customized their school planner, made belts out of duct tape, and doodled during classes. I discovered graphic design in high school and knew right away that was creative path I wanted to take. After spending 2 years in the Visual Communications program in high school and 4 years in the Graphic Design program at The College of Saint Rose, I was ready to make my mark in the design world.
I first got my feet wet through an internship in Austin, TX at the branding & packaging agency, Ptarmak. From there, life led me to Colorado, where I gained a design position at Interact, also a branding & packaging agency, located in Boulder. Both Ptarmak and Interact specialize in the food & beverage industry, which quickly became my world. I was fascinated by the stories of the passionate entrepreneurs that we partnered with as we helped to establish their brands’ visual identities both on store shelves and off.
After 4 years in the agency world, I set out to carve my own path as an independent designer. Today, I continue to partner with zealous founders, working one-on-one with them either to build their brand from the ground up or to reposition their existing brand and give it a fresh, new face-lift. Day in and day out, I am inspired by the enthusiasm and energy of my clients. They have a dream that they are hustling to fulfill and I love that I am able to help in bringing that dream to life.
In addition to running my design business, I also own and operate a vacation rental alongside my husband at our home in Erie. We stumbled upon the opportunity 4 years ago when we bought a 1920’s farmette, that used to be a working farm back in the day. Together we renovated the living space on the 2nd floor of the carriage house and turned it into a cozy home-away-from-home for guests visiting the area. We started with a blank slate, which as a designer, was the ultimate dream. From a custom, built-in dining table to DIY, concrete countertops, Ben and I spent 2 years fabricating the design ideas in our heads. Our focus now is on providing our guests with an amazing stay while they’re in town, as well as daydreaming about future fixer-uppers and rental properties.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Creatives are often defined by their aesthetic style and as a creative, defining that “identity” or on the other hand, trying to avoid having a specific “identity”, can be really challenging. Establishing a specific style that is easily recognized and is unique to you, can be very valuable. Clients will hire you specifically for that style and because you practice in that style so often, you become the expert in it. As your work grows in popularity, you become synonymous with your style and it can be very gratifying, especially when people see it out in the world and know that it’s yours.
However, “finding” your style can be a wild goose chase. It’s a hunt that is loaded with so much pressure and SO many questions. What inspires me? How do I want to be perceived? Do I want to do this day in and day out? Who even am I?! Do I like this style just because it’s trendy or do I actually really like it? We often notice ourselves clinging to trends because it’s easy. We want our work to be relevant and modern, however, trends can be fickle and tend to lead to work that isn’t timeless or ownable.
While some creatives are working to set their style in stone, others are trying to avoid being associated with a particular aesthetic altogether. As a designer that partners with brands — brands that are ultimately aiming to increase their sales — I have so much more to take into consideration other than just what I think will look cool or will be beautiful. Specifically, when developing designs for food and beverage packaging, I have to think about communication hierarchy, shoppability, uniqueness amongst competitors, appetite appeal, timelessness, etc. I’m not creating a piece of art for a monthly magazine that will be tossed in 30 days. My design solutions need to be effective and need to lead to success for my clients for years.
When it comes to client work, I find that establishing a specific style is not always advantageous. The same style may not work in every aisle of the grocery store or in every search on Amazon. However, even as a I try to avoid working in one specific style, I still find myself gravitating towards certain aesthetics. It’s only natural that we all, as humans, have preferences and tendencies. So, whether you’re a creative trying to find your style or a creative trying to rid yourself of any particular style, it’s a challenge nonetheless.
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?
Even as a branding and packaging designer who understands the importance of being fluid with aesthetic styles, I recognize that my preferences, tendencies, and strengths are present in my work. I have a soft spot in my heart for playful illustration, hand-lettered typography, and bright colors. I love making work that puts a smile on your face. Life is generally too serious, so I like to use art to lighten the mood.
As for the carriage house rental and interiors in general, I have developed an affinity for Southwestern decor since moving to Colorado. It is an undeniable attraction that becomes evident every time I step foot in an antique store. I love to pair Southwestern decor with mid-century furniture and tie it all together with a combination of farmhouse and bohemian accents.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I feel that a successful life is a life filled with love, good energy, and happiness. While I recognize that most of us have been raised to associate success with money and I, myself, still often link the two together, I am actively trying to reframe my perspective. How can we strive to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives rather than just working our lives away in an attempt to make more money than the next guy (AKA “success”)?
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@ramblinjan.co
- Website: ramblinjan.co / airbnb.com/h/little-luck-farmette
- Instagram: @ramblin.jan / @little.luck.farmette
Image Credits:
Mariana Ziegler
Julia Williams
Stone Strategy
Design Deep Indian Kitchen
