Pastiche Design

12/02/2026

On a recent visit to The Broad in Los Angeles I stood in front of Jenny Holzer’s Inflammatory Essays (1979–1982).

What struck me most wasn’t just the content — it was how words, paired with visual form, become impossible to ignore.

“FEAR IS THE MOST ELEGANT WEAPON…”

Holzer understood something marketers, designers and storytellers live by: language shapes perception, and design amplifies emotion. Fear doesn’t need spectacle to be effective. It works quietly — through headlines, visuals, repetition — shaping beliefs and influencing behavior.

Post-COVID, we’ve seen how quickly narratives spread and how visual cues can reinforce uncertainty or inspire confidence.

Her work is a reminder that communication is never neutral. The written word can move people, and design can make them feel it. That combination is powerful — and comes with responsibility.

What we say matters. How we show it matters even more.

12/02/2026

Marketing on a budget isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing smarter.

We just published a new guide with practical, cost-effective strategies for small businesses that want to grow visibility, build trust and generate leads without overspending.

Inside, we cover:
✔ High-impact marketing assets that compound over time
✔ Low-cost strategies that actually convert
✔ How to balance digital and local marketing
✔ A lean checklist to keep your marketing disciplined and effective

Read the full article here:
👉 https://pastiche-design.com/smart-strategies-for-small-businesses/

If your marketing budget is tight, this is where to start.

27/01/2026

We’re proud to celebrate the launch of the new brand and website for Smith Sconzert LLC — a women-owned law firm redefining what modern legal services look like.

Pastiche Design partnered with founders Tara Smith and Elizabeth Sconzert to build a brand that reflects their mission: disrupting the traditional law firm model through a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Our design work included:
• Strategic brand development (defining their unique voice and value proposition)
• Creation of a visual identity and curated color palette
• Design of branded collateral
• Fully responsive website design that showcases their diverse team
• A digital presence that feels as modern and approachable as the firm itself

The result is a confident, inclusive brand and online experience that supports the future of legal services... law, done better.

Explore the new site ➡ smithsconzert.com

24/11/2025

Customer behavior shows a clear truth: one purchase is transactional, but repeat purchases signal trust. Even a 5% increase in customer retention can boost profits by 25–95%.

Growth accelerates when customers become advocates. Since over 80% of people trust recommendations from friends and family more than ads, word-of-mouth becomes the highest-ROI channel.

A strong brand isn’t built by one-time buyers — it’s built by customers who share, recommend, and return. Consistency, reliability, and repeat value turn trust into long-term market leadership.

23/11/2025

Building a brand that lasts isn’t just about a slick logo — it’s about laying a foundation rooted in purpose, consistency and connection.

In our latest blog post, we dive into what it truly takes to build a legacy-level brand: from defining your core identity to evolving with intention, and showing up authentically in a noisy world.



👉 Ready to build something timeless? Check it out: Building a Brand That Lasts

https://pastiche-design.com/building-a-brand-that-lasts/

21/10/2025

We’re proud to share our work for Au+Engineering, a female-owned traffic engineering firm founded by Gaby Tassin. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and “gold standard” reputation, Gaby wanted a brand that would reflect her precision while standing out in a male-dominated industry.

We leaned into that label — Au, the symbol for gold — to create a refined, modern identity built around excellence and strength. From logo design and website development to business cards, holiday email campaigns and proposals, every detail reflects her commitment to quality.

Explore the full project here → https://pastiche-design.com/portfolio/professional-engineering-services-branding/

24/09/2025

It’s been a while since I introduced myself and shared what we do at Pastiche Design. ✨

For many companies, having an “in-house” marketing director can feel like a luxury — especially when workloads ebb and flow. That’s where I come in! I partner with organizations as their dedicated marketing lead, but on a contract basis. You get the expertise of a senior-level strategist, web developer and graphic designer — without the overhead of a full-time hire.

Whether it’s refining your brand voice, launching a big campaign or keeping your marketing consistent and polished, I can jump in as an extension of your team.

If you’ve got upcoming needs — or just want to catch up — send me a message. I’d love to connect! 💬

14/08/2025

💼 Feeling the pressure in your business?

Shrinking revenue, rising bills and endless stress don’t have to mean the end.

With the right plan, tough times can become turning points!

From analyzing your numbers to rebranding your business and streamlining operations, we’ve put together a practical guide to help you navigate the storm — and come out stronger.

🌟 Read the full article here → https://pastiche-design.com/how-to-navigate-your-business-through-tough-times/

Struggling with shrinking revenue and rising bills? Learn proven strategies to navigate tough times — from analyzing finances to rebranding with Pastiche Design’s authentic, organic marketing approach. Turn setbacks into a stronger future.

21/07/2025

Last year we designed this fun and engaging Open Enrollment Campaign: “Benefits to Suit Your Taste”

To promote open enrollment for employee healthcare benefits, we created a series of vibrant, engaging teaser videos centered around the theme "Benefits to Suit Your Taste." Featuring an eye-catching mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, the campaign playfully highlighted the connection between health-conscious choices and personalized benefits. The bite-sized videos served up key enrollment dates while reinforcing the value of wellness, creating an upbeat, visually appealing rollout that encouraged employees to explore their options.

02/05/2025

🌱 Released in April: 2024–25 Sustainability Report for C&S Wholesale Grocers 🌍

We’re proud to share the latest Sustainability Report we designed for C&S Wholesale Grocers, highlighting their continued commitment to environmental stewardship, supply chain responsibility and community impact.

Our team worked closely with C&S to create a clean, cohesive digital experience that aligns with their brand values while clearly communicating key initiatives and progress.

🖥️ View the full report here:
👉https://www.cswg.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Sustainability_2024-25_digital_FINAL.pdf

Design that informs. Strategy that inspires.

13/04/2025

Tax Season Revelation #871: When Clients Include Expenses on Your 1099 😩

Just realized something that made me do a double take (and triple check my spreadsheets): If you're self-employed and clients report your payments, including reimbursed expenses, on your 1099-NEC… yep, that’s all getting lumped in as your income.

That means YOU still have to deduct their expenses — otherwise you’re getting taxed on money you never actually earned. In past years, I was afraid to deduct them and went through the painstaking process of backing out the expenses I paid on their behalf, thinking I would be “double dipping.” But nope — the IRS is cool with it. Because that "income" is technically reimbursement for an expense, and not actually income at all. Surprise! 🫠

The kicker? When those expenses include meals. Oh yes, the IRS only lets you deduct 50% of those. So that's where things get a little wonky. 🙃

Moral of the story: If your 1099 doesn't quite match up to your records, chances are your client is including those expenses on top of your charges for services. You should deduct what’s not truly “nonemployee compensation.” Because if they don’t catch you in the wash… they’ll catch you in the rinse!

And can we please talk about how absurd it is to be penalized for working? I vote for income taxes to vanish into the void and be replaced with a federal sales tax. Let us keep what we earn — everyone consumes, but not everyone hustles.

Cheers to better tax systems and learning from past returns. 🥂