Inspiring Conversations with Nolan Marketti-Morales of Nolan Creative Co

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nolan Marketti-Morales

Hi Nolan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is rooted in a passion for design and an obsession with craft. I started as an Art Director at Futureman Digital, a small but dynamic team where I gained hands-on experience that larger firms simply couldn’t offer. I led projects for clients as notable as The United Nations Foundation, alongside local Chicago businesses like architects and engineering firms. After seven years, as the world changed with COVID, so did my career—I pivoted into the startup world.

That’s where I found my sweet spot: early-stage startups. The first being Radius Agent. I played a pivotal role in refreshing their brand and product, leading design efforts that contributed to securing a $13 million Series A funding round.

From there, I joined MaxRewards as the Founding Designer and employee #7. At this fintech startup, I built the design foundation from the ground up—leading a full redesign of the app, brand, and marketing initiatives. These efforts directly improved conversion, retention, and revenue, shaping the company’s growth trajectory.

Throughout my career, I’ve always been driven by craft and conviction. That philosophy now guides my work at Nolan Creative Co., where I focus on creating exceptional branding for medium-sized companies and startups. Whether it’s developing a design system, launching a product, or refining a brand’s identity, my approach remains the same: never settle and strive for perfection. Every project is an opportunity to raise the bar, and that’s what keeps me inspired every day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the early stage of my career at Futureman, I worked in a small team where I had to wear many hats. From project management to client presentation, I was facing new challenges every year as my responsibilities and role grew in the company. Particularly when I had to hire and manage designers I had to overcome how to properly manage a team, and made many mistakes.

After shifting to startups, that’s where entirely new challenges would arise. Startup world is faced fast-paced, ambiguous work with no clear path or direction, particularly in the early stage. Your days are constantly shifting, as are priorities. There’s no clear blueprint on what to do and you often have to figure it out on your own as you go. Balancing strategic priorities with the day-to-day demands was intense, but it also allowed me to make a significant impact.

All this has taught me to stay focused on the bigger picture.

Everything I’ve learned along the way has helped me grow Nolan Creative Co.—from managing clients to handling timelines, budgets, and contracts. Every challenge I’ve faced has shaped me to bring my best to every project.

The road hasn’t always been smooth, but the challenges have pushed me to grow as a designer and person.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Nolan Creative Co. is a boutique branding and design studio that thrives on craft and attention to detail. I specialize in helping companies and startups create exceptional brand identities, websites, and content that stand out in their industries. My work is rooted in the belief that craft is king—every detail matters.

What sets Nolan Creative Co. apart is its philosophy of never settling. I focus on creating designs that are thoughtful and strategically aligned with each client’s goals. It’s a small operation, that allows me to stay deeply involved in every aspect of the process—from the first conversation to the final deliverable.

One of the projects I’m most proud of is Rudy’s Prime, an upscale steakhouse in Clarkston, MI where I designed the entire brand identity that honors its historic roots while establishing a contemporary, high-end aesthetic. From the refined logo inspired by the building’s architecture to the carefully curated color palette, every detail was designed to create a cohesive and memorable experience for their guests. The most standout is the custom bindery menus that really set the tone for the steakhouse. Seeing the brand come to life and watching guests enjoy their experience has been incredibly rewarding.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
One of the biggest changes I see is the increasing integration of AI and automation in the creative process. Tools are already making it easier to generate concepts, streamline workflows, and personalize customer experiences at scale. While this tech is exciting, it also emphasizes the importance of human creativity—AI can assist, but it can’t replicate the deep strategy, intuition, and emotional connection that great design requires.

In branding, I believe there will be a shift towards more authentic and purpose-driven identities. More and more consumers expect companies to have a clear voice that reflects their values.

On the web, it’s no longer just a “check in the box” to have a digital presence. With the rise in competition in every industry, having a fast, responsive, and well-crafted website will continue to help set companies apart and position them for growth. Technologies like AR/VR and dynamic content will likely become more prevalent as they are becoming easier to implement year after year. Even today, for commerce products you can place furniture in your space to see how it looks before making a purchase which is incredible.

In design as a whole, I believe the next decade will ultimately challenge designers to balance technology with humanity, efficiency with creativity, and trends with timelessness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nolancreativeco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolancreativeco