This month surprised me in more ways than I ever could’ve imagined.
What began as a simple idea—a passing conversation a year ago about testing a fully remote month—quietly turned into one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. In July, our team scattered: different places, different rhythms, different routines. And for the first time in seven years, I felt something shift. I felt myself breathe a little deeper. Lean in when needed. Step back when called for. And trust—fully.
This was a trust fall in every direction. For me, for the team, for each of us as humans—creative, committed, and complex—navigating work and life all at once. The work never wavered. In fact, it felt more alive than ever. But more than the output, what moved me most was the energy: the quiet confidence, the mutual respect, the knowing we’ve built something rare and real.
It’s bittersweet to see the month close, but I’m walking away with full-hearted gratitude and an even deeper awe for the people I get to create with.
To honor the close of this special chapter, I spent some one-on-one time (digitally, of course) with each of my incredible team members. I asked them a few questions—some reflective, some playful—and what came through was as honest, vibrant, and grounded as they each are.
Read along. You’ll see what I mean.
Elizabeth Brummer, Designer & Web Developer
- Where do you find beauty in code?
I see beauty in its power and completely sound logic. Coding is an eternal treasure hunt of identifying problems, constantly testing, discovering the tiniest error that breaks everything until suddenly .. magic .. and everything falls into it's perfect and functioning place.
- What’s one small user detail on a website that gives you irrational joy?
A beautifully subtle microanimation!!! Can't get enough.
- When do you feel like your designer brain and developer brain are in sync?
When I can dream up something completely creative and out of the ordinary with my designer brain and be able to execute it with my developer brain. Hand in hand , resulting in pure and satisfying magic.
- What’s one design trend you’d like to kill forever and one you secretly love?I love blurs and I'm not afraid to admit it!!! Design trends to kill ... anything poorly executed with AI. You're not fooling anyone ... we can see it.
- What’s one part of a design piece that you designed recently that makes you extra extra proud?
I am currently working on a website (launching this fall!) that is one of the most comprehensive sites we've done to date. I'm pretty proud of this one and I can't wait for it to be live on the world wide web!
Jessica Kjeldsen, Brand Strategist
- What question are you always trying to answer when you’re building a brand?
The WHY. I don't care that you do X for Y or what your 2 minute elevator pitch is, we will get there. I want to know why. Why now? Why this? Why you? I’m always digging for the heartbeat behind the business. When you find that, everything else pretty much falls effortlessly into place.
- What part of strategy feels spiritual or at least a little sacred?
The moment we name the why, the truth. When a founder sees themselves clearly, maybe for the first time, and we put language to the thing they’ve been circling around for years.
- What’s a belief about branding you used to hold, but don’t anymore?
That there was a right way to do it, and that “the right way” meant professional, polished, no ruffled feathers, corporate ick. The most unforgettable brands are the ones that say it their way, even if it’s a little messy, spicy, or loud.
- What do you wish more clients understood about their own voice?
It’s not something you find, it’s something you free. Your voice already lives in your daydreams, your text threads, the way you describe your favorite thing after two glasses of wine. My job is to help you stop filtering it. To help you realize your real voice is already magnetic, you just haven’t been giving it the mic.
- What’s something about your work that surprises even you sometimes?
How often it feels like healing. This work isn’t just about color palettes and copy, though that's pretty fun. It's about reclaiming truth, rewriting narratives, and getting out of your own way. I’ve had more than a few sessions that felt like therapy. Like cracking open a deeper why. And every time, I’m reminded that branding isn’t surface work. When done right, it’s transformation.
Lanya Kareem, Design Director
- What part of your process still feels like magic after all this time?
The ideation part of my process still feels like magic to me, even after 7 years of designing! I’m constantly surprised by what my brain can come up with. Whether it’s a gila monster with a wine bottle in its eye or a dragon holding dumplings, there’s never a dull day here at ENC!
- When do you feel the most in flow as a design leader?
The moment I feel most in flow as a Design Director is the phase right after our kickoff call with the client and right before I share ideas with the team. During that phase I dive into gathering visuals and ideas to share. The creative flow between translating the client’s vision into ideas and then watching the team light up with inspiration and ideas — that’s when I know the creative energy is really flowing!
- What’s something you see ENC doing visually that feels ahead of the curve?
At ENC, I believe we aren't making any cookie-cutter designs. You can tell everything is not only made by incredible designers, but even better creatives. That's what sets us apart as an agency and puts us ahead of the curve.
- What design choice did you make this year that felt like a quiet rebellion?
Anytime we push a client in a totally different direction, I feel like im rebelling to be quite honest hehe! And its become one of my favorite parts of our design process. We of course always want to make our clients happy, but it wouldn't be ENC if we didn't show a completely out of the box design that our clients wouldn't ever think of - and often end up loving!
- What do you think separates good design from great?
Good design solves a problem efficiently while great design does that and leaves a lasting impression. While good design checks the boxes; great design challenges all expectations, tells a story, and stands the test of time. Not only is the end result from the design what sets it apart but also the process to get there. It comes from asking better questions, pushing the boundaries, and not settling for "just a font".
Channing Buchanan, Designer
- What’s one recent design moment where you thought, “Damn, I did that”?
Honestly, every time ENC puts a project out into the world, I think, “Damn, we did that.” But one brand in particular—currently in the works—feels like such a sweet spot: sporty, feminine, edgy, and fun. I can’t wait for her to make her debut.
- What type of project lights you up creatively right now?
Anything that lets me explore a new genre, culture, or corner of the world. I love immersing myself in unfamiliar territory—gathering research, pulling unexpected references—it always leaves me feeling re-energized and ready to create something fresh!
- If your design aesthetic had a soundtrack, what would be on it?
Definitely something with a little funk—playful, vibey, and impossible not to sing along to.
- Where do you feel yourself growing most in your role?
Since joining ENC, I’ve grown so much—both creatively and personally. Lately, I’ve been diving deeper into the world of web design (shoutout to Elizabeth!), and I’m excited to keep building momentum there.
- What’s one bold idea or technique you’re itching to try?
I recently got back to AZ from a trip to Oahu, and I got to swim with some beautiful fishies! One in particular had the most unreal color combo, and I’m just waiting for the right brand to come along so we can turn that little fishy into a full-on palette moment.
Marly Boies, Production Manager
- What’s something people don’t see behind the scenes but should?
The level of tetris that goes into a campaign day. Those precious few hours on set are make it or break it for a brand's visual identity in the real world. And that's a pressure we don't ever take lightly, which is where the endless hours of finding the space, curating the looks, purchasing props, and coordinating it all into one, seamless day usually go unnoticed.
- When does production feel poetic to you?
When there is a beautiful balance of trust and play. Where the scenes fall into place as beautifully as they were imagined, there is room to express and try new ideas, and the trust is fully in our team to execute every detail.
- How has your approach to leading shoots and campaigns evolved this year?
We are leaning away from less precise or rigid schedules, and more into a curated, flexible outline. Because our campaign teams have been on set time and time again, we've built this unspoken understanding of 'what' needs to happen 'when', and in turn allows for more free flowing energy and ideas on set!
- What’s one moment that made you pause and think, “Yep, this is why I do this”?
I always love getting the imagery come back from a photographer, watching it get added to a site or on social media, and seeing just perfectly it rounds out a brand's identity. It's so fulfilling to know that we dreamt of it, and then actually got to produce it even more perfectly than we imagined!
- Where do you think the energy of ENC shows up most?
On set, when tensions or stressors can be high, ENC energy shows up in a way that evens the tone, it lightens the mood and it allows everyone to find their groove. Campaigns can be full of uncertainties and question marks, but once you're on set with us, you'll just feel the difference. It's magic.
