Hi, I’m Melissa!
Founder of Strong Design Studios and Fractional Brand Designer in Tempe, AZ
Good design work and a good design experience aren’t the same thing. I've spent over 20 years trying to deliver both — and I’ve learned that the communication, the process, and the trust between a designer and a client matters just as much as what ends up on the page.
Most of my clients say the same things: that I listened, that I asked the right questions, that they never had to wonder what was happening or why. Many of them have come back again and again over the years. That’s not an accident. It’s what I'm trying to achieve every time.
I love this work. I take it seriously. And I'll always bring my honest thoughts to the table, while knowing that at the end of the day, it’s your brand and your call.
How I work
These aren’t just things I believe — they’re how I actually show up on every project.
I treat communication as the job. Design is collaborative, and collaboration lives or dies on communication. I listen carefully, respond honestly, and make it a point to keep you informed at every step — not just when I have something finished to show you. You'll always know where things stand and why.
I try to get it right the first time. Rework is expensive — in time, in budget, and in momentum. I ask a lot of questions upfront because I’d rather spend 20 minutes clarifying a brief than deliver something that misses the mark entirely. I’m being hired by organizations that are already stretched thin, and I take seriously the responsibility to make the most of the time we have together.
I bring my professional judgment, not just my hands. I follow direction well — but I don't design on autopilot. If something doesn't seem right, or if I think a direction might not land the way it's intended, I’ll say so. I use the analogy of a good doctor: you want them to tell you what they actually think, not just do whatever you ask. I’ll always give you my honest recommendation. You always make the final call.
I assume the best. Good work can’t thrive in an environment of doubt. I go into every engagement trusting that we’re on the same team, working toward the same outcome — and I expect the same in return.
I chase progress, not perfection. Perfection doesn't exist, and chasing it wastes resources. I believe in work that's strategic, efficient, and genuinely effective — not work that spirals into endless revision cycles in pursuit of something that can never be fully achieved. Done well is better than done endlessly.
“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 — she literally never misses a beat. And professionalism — she values her work and carries herself as a true professional.”
DAVID SCHOENECKER, FORMER COO, BASE COMMERCE
Are we a good fit?
The relationships I do my best work in tend to have a few things in common. If these resonate, we’d probably work well together.
You see design as a meaningful investment in your business — not just another line item on the expense list.
You want a relationship built on honest communication, and you’re comfortable with a designer who’ll ask questions and flag concerns rather than just mindlessly execute.
You understand that building something great takes time, and that progress (not perfection) is what drives results.
You want work rooted in strategy and clear goals, not personal preference alone.
You want a partner who can pick up the thread without being handed a script, and run with it.
“I work with Melissa at Strong Design for so many reasons — the quality is consistently excellent and delivered in an easy-to-implement way every time. But more than that, Melissa is just the most comprehensive, professional, organized, and fun person I work with. The experience from beginning to end is just wonderful.”
CODY KIMMEL, CEO, GRACEBASED
A little more about me
I’ve been working in design for over 20 years, across agencies, in-house teams, and independently. Early in my career I worked at a brand experience agency in Phoenix, where I learned what it looks like to tie a brand together across every touchpoint — identity, website, collateral, and beyond. That systems-level thinking has shaped how I approach every project since.
I founded Strong Design Studios to do this work on my own terms: in deep partnership with the kinds of organizations I care most about: small businesses, startups, and growing teams where design can make a real impact. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of clients across industries, and I’ve served in multiple creative roles on the Phoenix Design Week team — from committee volunteer in its earliest years all the way through Creative Directing one event (and picking up a couple of awards along the way for that creative work). It’s a community I've been proud to be part of since the beginning, and still am today.
Outside of client work, I have an annoying habit of turning my hobbies into side-businesses. Currently that includes:
Phoenix Supply Co. – a line of art, stationery, and gifts that celebrate the Southwest
1099misctemplate.com – a simple fillable template I built to solve my own annual tax headache, now available to other small businesses.
When I’m not designing, I’m probably reading, organizing something that doesn’t need organizing, making art, or finding a new corner of Arizona to explore!
Want to work together?
Tell me a little about your organization and what you’re looking for — and if you'd like to request a call to learn more, just say so. I'll follow up within 1–2 business days. No pitch, no pressure.
Or explore how a fractional partnership works ➝