Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Cuthriell.
Hi Ryan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
The short: I’m a graphic designer and creative director with gusto; focused on crafting memorable brands, great digital experiences, and enduring design solutions for companies that seek purpose and presence.
The long: Growing up, I dreamed of becoming an illustrator for Disney or Marvel. Things changed with I discovered graphic design at East Carolina University. There I took a wide range of art and design classes including drawing, painting, illustration, typography, design, printmaking, and photography courses which confirmed my focus on graphic design. I pursued a B.F.A. degree but was never selected for the program so I settled for a B.A. degree (even after winning first place in graphic design in the annual school art publication, ‘The Rebel’).
This forever changed my mindset. I refused to be held back by what others thought. If I can dream it, I can do it.
After design school at ECU, I moved back home to Wilmington, NC where I landed my first professional job at a small design agency. There I learned more about the web, how to code, and applied my recent design skills to business marketing materials along with the occasional logo design.
Fast forward a few years, after I got married, my wife and I moved to Durham, NC. I worked for a number of creative agencies in Cary, Raleigh, and Durham. Each place gave me new opportunities for growth and I excelled, winning several design awards during this time. I also became a part of the local design scene and was involved in community design organizations. This was key to meeting friends, mentors, and other design professionals in the area.
After nearly five years in my last agency job, I went to work in-house for an EdTech company based in NYC but with a Durham office. This was a refreshing change of pace and totally different than previous jobs where I designed and created work for clients. In-house, you are the client! I was able to design video games, and advanced UI for the mobile learning environment we built, and worked with vendors to create dynamic educational videos for kids to learn math concepts. This was a brief experiment however as it only lasted a year before the company had massive corporate layoffs.
Little did I know at the time that this was the “gentile push” I needed to start working for myself. I ventured out into the freelance world in the fall of 2015. I eventually started Gusto Design Company in February 2017, which specializes in branding, design, packaging, advertising, and digital solutions. Luckily, I’ve been fortunate to have worked on a wide range of clients from global brands to mom-and-pop shops. At the end of the day, I find great purpose in working with passionate people and crafting a new brand or growing an established one.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been fortunate; the last five years have been busy! I’m not sure smooth is the correct word though—there are always ebbs and flows with work. As for challenges, as a small business owner and solopreneur, I’m tasked to find new business and work with current clients. Repeat business and referrals are a huge part of my business model. I like to be viewed as a partner with my clients, helping them with strategic design decisions—their success is my success.
I collaborate whenever possible with other designers, writers, UX designers, and developers. Eventually, growing my company would be ideal—adding business partners and team members would help broaden our offerings.
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?
Selected favorites:
- The Glass Jug Beer Lab (branding & packaging)
- Tupelo Honey Cafe (rebrand w/ Uncompany)
- Cotton Incorporated (national & international marketing, advertising, branding, and trade show support)
- The Novus (branding & web design w/ Chair8)
- Metal Motivation Monday (52 posters for metal bands in 52 weeks)
Contact Info:
- Website: GustoDesign.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gustodesignco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gustodesignco/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ryan_Q3L
- Other: https://dribbble.com/ryancuthriell
