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 flexible basis that actually fits your organization.
WHAT IS A FRACTIONAL BRAND DESIGNER?
Senior creative support, right-sized for your stage.
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 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 and website design to the day-to-day marketing collateral that keeps your brand alive.
Consistent
A dedicated recurring day, so you always know when work is happening.
Strategic + executional
I think like a creative director and work like a senior designer.
No 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. Decisions made in isolation don't connect. An embedded partner holds the thread — so your brand stays coherent as you grow.
You stop re-explaining yourself.
Every new freelancer or agency engagement starts with a 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.
The right design partner is in the room when brand decisions are being made — not called in after the fact to make something look good. That upstream involvement is what separates work that holds up from work that has to be redone.
Curious about the retainer model and how engagements work?
“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
Seeing is believing
A look at some of the client work I'm most proud of.
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 ➝