Strategy + Management for Growing Brands
I work as an external brand partner, helping companies build, refine, and maintain clear, recognizable identities as they grow.
Clear Direction. Practical Execution. Long-Term Support.
Rather than treating design as isolated tasks, I work within a broader brand system so decisions build on one another and remain connected as the business evolves.
Brand Direction
Brand Strategy
Clarity before creative work begins.
Brand Strategy is an engagement focused on understanding your business, evaluating how your brand is currently positioned, and assessing a clear path to growth.
This typically includes:
Brand Review – Structured audit of existing materials and messaging
Brand Focus – Clarifying what is essential and what is excess
Competitive Context – Understanding how similar businesses present themselves and where you can stand apart
Strategy Report– A written plan outlining positioning, priorities, and clear next steps
This process equips you with a comprehensive resource that guides future creative decisions.
Learn About Brand Strategy >
Brand Management
Structured support for maintaining and evolving the brand over time.
Brand Management provides ongoing oversight and practical support as new materials are created.
This typically includes:
Scheduled Touch-Ins – Regular check-ins to review current initiatives and upcoming needs
Dedicated Hours – Reserved time allocated specifically to your brand
Asset Organization – Ongoing maintenance and organization of working files
Material Review – Evaluation and guidance on new creative pieces before release
System Continuity – Ensuring all materials remain aligned with the broader brand system
The outcome is a brand that stays organized, aligned, and effective as the business grows.
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Visual Cohesion
When strategy is clear and the work is consistently managed, the brand remains strong and coherent across every surface.
A single brand applied cohesively across an array of real-world materials.
The Role of Creative Direction
Creative direction is the standard guiding creative work, ensuring strategy is applied correctly and that decisions stay connected over time.
Every piece of material is reviewed with the full brand system in mind before it goes out into the world.
These are common ways a brand is expressed across real-world materials, supported by a cohesive visual system and guided by expert creative direction.
These materials are typically developed and maintained within the structure of a broader working relationship.
Brand Applications
About Rylew Design Co.
Rylew Design Co. is the independent studio practice of Ryan Lewis.
With nearly two decades of experience, I partner with businesses across numerous industries to provide careful brand direction, steady guidance, and long-term creative support.
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Start the Conversation
If you’re considering brand work and want to understand what approach makes sense, a conversation is the best place to begin.
If you have a singular design project in mind, you can start with a project-based inquiry >