Strategic Brands. Practical Design.
Helping small businesses show up with confidence.
Great design isnāt just about looking goodāitās about helping your business thrive. Your brand should be a tool that makes marketing easier, attracts the right people, and feels like an effortless extension of who you are.
Thatās where I come in. I create brand identities that donāt just sit on a business cardāthey work. Through a strategic, collaborative process, Iāll help you craft a brand that feels right, functions beautifully, and grows with your business.
my approach
More than just a pretty logo.
Every design decision is backed by strategy, ensuring your brand is as functional as it is eye-catching. I focus on real-world usabilityācreating brands that feel polished, cohesive, and easy to use.
Meet Jill
Jill Lawlor Creative
Meet Jill Jill Lawlor Creative
Why I do what I do
Jill Lawlor | Founder & Lead designer
Design has always been more than just a career path for meāitās a calling. I started with a degree in Visual Communication from Ferris State University, where I learned how to blend design with business and marketing. After four years as a lead designer at a community relations firm, I earned my MBA at Wayne State University to deepen my understanding of the strategy behind great design. 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.
My passion for supporting small business owners comes from watching my parents run their own business. Their entrepreneurial grit shaped not just how I work but how I see the world. I know firsthand the challengesāand freedomsāthat come with building something of your own.
Thatās why I donāt just design brands that look goodāI create brand identities that work for real businesses. Practical, strategic, and built to support your goals. Because when your brand truly reflects who you are, it becomes a tool that helps your business thrive.
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 phraseā āLetās make it clean.ā (Design, kitchen counters, inboxāyou name it.)
Best client complimentā āYou GET me!ā (The gold standard, really.)
Secret superpowerā Getting 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.
Iām here to help you look professional, feel confident, and connect with the right people. When youāre ready for branding that does all that and moreāhereās where we start.