Behind the Design: How I Turn Ideas into Visual Stories
- Mark Orriss
- Oct 21
- 2 min read
Every design tells a story — not just through colours and shapes, but through emotion, intuition, and purpose. As a freelance graphic designer, I see my work as visual storytelling. Each logo, layout, and brand identity is a chapter in a bigger narrative that connects people to ideas.
It always starts with curiosity.
When I meet a new client, I listen closely - not just to what they say, but how they say it. The excitement in their voice, the hesitation in describing their audience, the spark when they talk about their mission - all of it gives me clues. I take those fragments and start sketching possibilities.
Mood boards are my favourite playground. I gather images, colours, fonts, and textures that capture the feeling behind their vision. Sometimes, the concept emerges quickly. Other times, it’s a dance between inspiration and refinement - between what the client imagines and what the brand needs to express.
Once I move into digital design, I focus on flow. Every element must have a reason to exist. Typography guides the eye, spacing gives room to breathe, and colour evokes emotion. I love how design has the power to make people feel something - calm, confidence, excitement, trust.
Collaboration is where the magic happens.
When clients give honest feedback, I don’t see it as criticism but as co-creation. Together, we shape the final design into something that feels authentic and alive.
A favourite project of mine involved transforming a local café’s tired logo into something that captured their soul - warm, welcoming, full of community. We turned a simple coffee cup into a story about belonging. When they saw it on their new sign, the owner smiled and said, “That’s us.” That moment never gets old.
Consistency breeds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust - magic!
Conclusion
Design isn’t just about making things look good. It’s about making them mean something. When a visual identity connects emotionally, it becomes unforgettable.
Have an idea you’d love to bring to life? Let’s turn it into a design that tells your story.