Strategic Brands. Practical Design.
HELPING GROWING BUSINESSES BRING THEIR BRAND UP TO SPEED
Youāve worked hard to build a business you're proud of. But does your branding communicate the same level of quality, experience, and professionalism that you bring to your work?
Iām Jill Lawlor, a brand identity and website designer helping established small businesses create distinctive, thoughtful brands that better represent who they are today.
I combine a background in graphic design with real-world business experience to create brand identities that arenāt just attractiveātheyāre effective, practical, and built to support your business.
my approach
A great logo is just the beginning.
Iāve learned that the strongest ideas rarely appear first. They emerge when you take the time to explore, move past the obvious, and uncover something distinctive.
Thatās what I love about custom logo design. It starts with understanding your business, then exploring ideas and refining the details until everything comes together.
But a great logo is just the beginning. I create complete visual identities where every elementāfrom typography and color to supporting graphicsāworks together to communicate what makes your business different.
Meet Jill
Jill Lawlor Creative
Meet Jill Jill Lawlor Creative
Why I do what I do
Jill Lawlor | Founder & Lead designer
I've been drawn to graphic design since high school. I went on to earn my degree in Visual Communication from Ferris State University, where the design program was part of the College of Business. I loved the creative side of design, but I was equally interested in understanding how businesses work. That curiosity eventually led me to earn my MBA from Wayne State University.
Along the way, I worked as a lead designer at a community relations firm. I even spent some time in the front office with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, working in sales and community affairs. It was a dream detourāfun, unexpected, and totally worth it.
After stepping away from my career to raise my two daughters, I returned to design and founded Jill Lawlor Creative, bringing together my love of design and my business background.
My appreciation for small businesses goes back even further. I grew up watching my parents run their own business, so I understand the hard work and commitment that goes into building something of your own.
Today, I get to combine everything I love about design with a practical understanding of business, helping small business owners create thoughtful, distinctive brands that communicate the value of what they've built.
Big city design, small-town heart.
Rooted in the Midwest, I bring a thoughtful, strategic approach to brandingāhelping women-led and founder-led businesses from Chicago and beyond create polished, cohesive brands that work in the real world.
Fast facts about me
Go-to design toolā Pencil and paperābecause the best ideas start with a good sketch.
Most-used phraseāāLetās make it clean.ā (Design, kitchen counters, inboxāyou name it.)
Best client complimentā āYou GET me!ā (The gold standard, really.)
Secret superpowerāGetting a healthy, homemade meal on the table in under 45 minutesābetween kid activities, work deadlines, and the occasional dog-related chaos. Results may vary.
Youāve heard my storyānow letās focus on yours.
You've invested time and energy into building a business that does good work. Your brand should communicate that same level of care and professionalism.
If your current logo, website, or visual identity isn't quite doing the job anymore, let's talk about what comes next.
@jill.lawlor.creative
Follow along for branding tips, project reveals, and studio snapshots.
