The Michelle Hickey Design Blog

Are you dreading the start of a new week? In this post, I’m sharing how to make Monday feel like a Summer Friday. Being a Creative is a gift. My days are typically filled with fun tasks like recording A Podcast for Creatives, playing with fonts, or writing my book. But running a creative business […]

In this post, I share a book review of The Office, The Untold Story, plus four joyful finds, including a podcast, a typeface, a YouTube channel, and an album. I often describe myself as hyper-inspired. I can be moved by something simple like watching a bird fly across the yard, or receiving a kind comment […]

Welcome!I’m Michelle, a creative director, writer, educator, podcaster and speaker.I AM HERE TO HELP YOU DESIGN A LIFE THAT USES YOUR CREATIVITY TO BRING YOU THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF JOY.Through my written, audio, visual, and educational content, I: Help you embrace your individuality. Guide you in finding inspiration. Encourage you to create with purpose. Remind [...]

Graphic designers have their choice of projects: branding, websites, signage, social graphics, and so on. However, not every job brings the creative fulfillment we dream of. Most of us have been forced to give up our artistic desires in the name of paying the bills at one time or another. But with a little creativity […]

Sometimes thinking big means starting with the basics. For me, this was digging deep and getting to the heart of what is going to make my business thrive: my audience and their needs. Through the design of a new reader survey, I was able to uncover part of the reason why conversions have been so […]

This step-by-step tutorial on how to design printable art is sponsored by BeFunky, and compensation was received for my time in developing the post. All thoughts, ideas & opinions are my own.  When you’re just getting started in graphic design— and your online business, your resources are stretched thin. You might not have the time or […]

They say taking the first step is the hardest, but it’s the one that propels you to keep moving forward. I say, the power in that initial movement largely depends on what you’ve decided to step in. Deciding where to focus your energy is just as important as starting your project. I’m learning that it’s the perfect storm of prioritization and […]

I have struggled with learning to push past doubts since I was very young. As a “rule follower” and  “people pleaser” I hate the thought of making people feel uncomfortable, which I’ve mercilessly avoided, often at my own expense. The business world swallows up people like me, which is why I’ve been working hard to […]

This post covers designing with stock illustrations and includes tips on how to differentiate your work so that you can stand out online. Stock illustrations, fonts, and backgrounds have paved the way for creatives who want to create top-notch designs. We may have a vision but not have the time or talent to create everything […]