OWNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BRENT ALMOND DESIGN
WASHINGTON DC
Creativity informs, fuels and inspires every aspect of Brent Almond’s life. As he enters his third decade as a graphic designer, art director and illustrator, he continues to approach every project with the question: “How can I make this more informative, beautiful, meaningful or fun?”
Brent began his career at several successful design firms before branching out on his own. As a one-man shop, Brent has partnered with the likes of NPR, The Kennedy Center, Girl Scouts, The Nature Conservancy and The Washington Post. His work has been honored by over 200 industry awards and publications.
In 2012, Brent started DesignerDaddy.com, a blog combining his journey as a new father through the lens of creativity. Combining his skills as a writer, designer and illustrator, Brent’s online presence gained a large following, resulting in partnerships with brands like Disney, Marvel, Netflix, Nickelodeon and Hasbro. His blog has been honored by Iris Awards, BlogHer’s Voices of the Year and is regularly included on many “Top Blogger” lists. Whenever possible, Brent uses his creativity to further good in the world. He’s lent his talents as a designer, blogger and speaker to advocate for numerous causes and organizations related to LGBTQ+ rights, adoption/foster care and the environment.
Looking forward, are you optimistic about the role of graphic design in business and society?
The power of graphic design will remain steady, regardless of the political, medical, or environmental climate. The great thing about graphic design (and designers) is its ability to constantly and easily change roles. Whether it’s adapting to the latest tech and social media, magnifying the voices of the marginalized, or clearly communicating the progress of a pandemic, design is always changing. And it’s always present … and vital.
Have the challenges of the past two years changed the way you approach your work?
Most definitely. Many of my clients are schools, arts organizations, and other nonprofits — most of whom cut marketing budgets or shut down altogether for a big chunk of 2020. As I’m also a stayat-home dad, much of that freed-up time was spent dealing with my son’s education. As a result, I’ve rebranded myself and the focus of my business, leaning more into illustration — to keep my schedule more flexible and rely less on larger marketing and branding projects.
