Meet Brittany Abney of Design Squeeze

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Abney.

Brittany, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always had a creative side, so it only made sense that I would work in a creative industry. I have degrees in both interior design and graphic design and when I landed a 9-5 as a graphic designer, I thought I was all set. But it turns out, I wasn’t as fulfilled as I thought I would be and it was during that time that Design Squeeze was created.

I was “designing” all day, but I really had no control over the clients or the projects that I was taking on. In one sense it was really great because I got experience working with all types of clients on a wide scope of work. But on the other hand, I felt like I had lost a lot of my creative passion. I felt like I was just going through the motions and wasn’t able to really stretch myself in the way I wanted.

I also really missed making things with my hands. Staring at a screen all day was tiring, so I would come home and paint. I was pretty awful at first, but I loved it and it felt like art therapy for me. Slowly, I got better and then I started to get interested in calligraphy. Over time, I developed a watercolor calligraphy style that was more bohemian and free-flowing than traditional calligraphy. I knew there was a market for that type of lettering and so I started posting some of my work under the name Design Squeeze. Eventually, I designed some wedding invitations and started to get referrals and inquiries after that. I kept it up as a side hustle while working that 9-5 for five years until June of 2019 when my daughter was born and I took it full time.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh, yes, there were struggles! I was pretty naive about what life with a baby would look like and deciding to go full time with my business at the same time as becoming a mom was probably not my wisest decision. I was immediately overwhelmed.

But now that she’s getting older, we are falling into a natural routine and I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I struggled a lot in the beginning to wrap my head around working at night after she went to bed. But that was really the only way to make it work. Now, I’ve gotten used to not having traditional business hours and instead, I fully appreciate the time I get to spend with her during the day and then I can fully focus on my clients and projects when she’s sleeping. There’s a lot of email checking and admin tasks during naps so that when bedtime rolls around, I am caught up and have a clear idea of what I need to do to keep on track.

And on top of the balance of working from home with a baby, I’ve also had to learn the ropes of actually running the business–invoicing, taxes, client management systems, workflows, setting up equipment, building vendor relationships, marketing, networking, building my website, etc. This is definitely the hardest I’ve ever worked in my life but it’s a good feeling. I’m learning something new and growing every single day as a business owner, designer, artist and mom.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Design Squeeze – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Design Squeeze offers custom design and calligraphy for colorful, creative couples and clients. I specialize in wedding invitations and paper goods, as well as branding and graphic design for small businesses.

On the wedding side, I’m known for my colorful, whimsical style that usually features watercolor details and brush calligraphy. My couples aren’t afraid to show their personality in their suites and appreciate details like paper texture and weight, as well as accessories like ribbon and vintage postage. They understand that the invitation is the first look their guests get off the wedding day. It sets the tone and gets people excited about what’s to come.

My couples want more than choosing a generic template online, they want a personalized experience where they can be a part of the design process and that’s what I provide. And the best part is, I can work with clients from anywhere! Each couple has access to a private portal where they can upload inspiration and view all proofs, leaving feedback along the way. I start every project with a carefully curated mood board to grasp the overall vibe of the wedding and from there, go on to design at least two options. In the end, each wedding suite is an extension of the couple’s love story and a keepsake that they can treasure long after the day has passed.

On the graphic design side, I’m known for my quick turnaround and for adding value to my clients. I specialize in layout–so think brochures, booklets, magazines, etc. I also offer logo design & branding services and am especially happy when clients come to me looking to add a hand-lettered touch to their brand.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My long term goal is to expand my brand and offer products in addition to services. Having a baby has really inspired me and I recently ordered some samples of some baby clothes I designed. I’ve also been working to create more art prints for kid rooms (I have some currently available for instant download on Etsy). Overall, I just think the world of baby & kid design has a place for my whimsical, colorful style. I’d love to see pencil cases, notebooks, lunch boxes and other school supplies, as well as bedding or wallpaper designs, come to life down the road.

For the wedding side of Design Squeeze, I’m looking to create a full line of semi-custom invitation suites so that I can reach couples who want the look and experience of working with me at a lower price point.

Contact Info:

• Website: designsqueeze.com
• Email: hello@designsqueeze.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designsqueeze/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designsqueeze/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/designsqueeze/

Image Credit:
Amber Joy Photography, Brooke Magee Photography, Mindy Deluca Photography, Hazography, Karlie Colleen Photography

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