Collaboration isn’t just about better results. It’s about building stronger relationships. From the time I started freelancing, to running my branding studio Design Shark full-time, I’ve always emphasized being a creative partner and collaborator.

Since 2021, I've been trusted to help K-12 and community colleges create a branding presence that has the look and feel of a professional organization and team. I'd love to help elevate your school's athletic identity that'll fire up your entire community.

The client is the expert in their brand. The more information I can gather through discovery, the better I can understand your: → Project goals → What will resonate with your target audience → Challenges and pain points to solve for → Where your brand needs to live and be

Branding is more than a logo. When schools launch new mascots, students feel proud to represent their teams. Pride and belonging fuel stronger participation and community spirit. That’s real ROI.

A strong brand doesn’t just look good; it sells. When schools unveil new mascots, merchandise sales surge. Branding done right turns school pride into revenue.

The best branding connects to values. Schools don’t just get mascots; they get symbols that align with their culture. Students feel confident and the parents feel invested. ROI isn’t just dollars, it’s connection.

The real test of branding? Longevity. Over time, mascots became part of daily school life; painted on buildings, worn on gear, and embraced at events. That’s brand equity: an identity that feels timeless and is weaved into the fabric of the school.

If you're serious about growing your business, follow this checklist. - One clear offer. - One clear audience. - One repeatable sales process. - One content engine. - One year of ruthless consistency.

A logo is not an “end”, it’s a means to an end. Shift away from: “I need a logo”, instead to: “I need to look more professional, show up consistently and resonate with our Customers”.

Sports Branding isn’t just a mascot logo decorating a helmet or a gym floor. When done intentionally, it sparks excitement, builds emotional connection, and creates a sense of pride.

Branding: from discovery to final hand-off is a collaborative effort. Each step is met with approval before moving forward. This ensures we’re headed in the right direction and on the same page. Clarity, communication, creativity and collaboration are the 4 C’s that I live by.

New Work at Design Shark

Branding isn’t just about how you show up, but how you are remembered by your customers.

Wow, never thought my work (the illustration of Jim Irsay) would make it to Good Morning Football. Love the show and very thankful again for the Colts who gave me and my studio Design Shark® this amazing opportunity.

It’s always cool to see a logo you create be voted into the Logo Lounge book. The secondary logo I designed for Warren Township High School, a project from 2024, is officially in the logo lounge 15 book and I appreciate the judges who voted it in!

Whether you’re building a brand for a team, event, company or individual, I have a different questionnaire customized to all 4 as no brand should be treated as a one-size-fits-all approach.

While my overall process is the same, sketching a mascot logo is different from creating something more modern and iconic. For mascots, I use the iPad to explore more complex imagery. For simpler, iconic logos, I stick to the sketchbook so I can generate a lot of quick options.

Sports branding isn’t just an industry, it's mindset. You don’t need to be in sports to have a mascot logo or bold, dynamic typography to represent your brand.

Sports branding doesn’t just refer to team branding—there are countless sport adjacent companies that all fit under the “Sports Brand” umbrella. For example: fitness, coaching, sportswear, betting, player agencies, tournaments, skill development camps and more.