Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Drew.
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My creative journey started long before I knew graphic design could become a career. As early as elementary school, I was creating and selling handmade bracelets and greeting cards, so entrepreneurship and creativity have always gone hand in hand for me. My mother, who has always loved arts and crafts, encouraged that creative side, and in middle school, my art teacher, Mr. Michael Pryde, really fueled my love for art and helped me see my creativity differently. After graduating from Cass Technical High School, I went on to study graphic design at Specs Howard, and over the years I continued learning through freelance work, church and community projects, and hands-on experience in the print industry.
In 2017, I joined Digimax Business Corp. as an Assistant Graphic Designer and eventually became Lead Graphic Designer in 2022. Working there exposed me to everything from flyers, brochures, business cards, and event programs to branding, signage, and large-format print projects. I also continued my education at Oakland Community College, where I was able to strengthen the strategy and conceptual side of my design work. Along the way, way back in 2010, I built my own freelance brand, LbDrew Designs, and have had the opportunity to help churches, small businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. Today, I see my journey as a combination of creativity, community, entrepreneurship, and constant growth, and I hope to continue moving into creative leadership while making an impact through design.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but I think the challenges have taught me just as much as the successes. From an entrepreneurial standpoint, one of the biggest lessons has been learning how to properly value and price my work. You can price yourself out of the market, but you can also underprice yourself to the point where the time and energy you put into a project are no longer worth it. I’ve also learned the importance of the business side of being creative especially when clients can sometimes “forget” to pay, projects can fall through, and there are always slow seasons when design work isn’t coming in as consistently as you would like.
There have also been moments when I’ve had to balance my design career with school, work, family responsibilities, and simply life be lifing. Those seasons forced me to become more disciplined, adaptable, and intentional about how I use my time and talents. I’m still learning that being a successful creative isn’t only about being talented; it’s also about setting boundaries, understanding your value, managing relationships, and being willing to keep going when business is slow. Every challenge has helped shape how I approach both my career and entrepreneurship today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a graphic designer who specializes in print design, branding, and visual storytelling of everything from flyers, brochures, business cards, and event programs to signage, large-format graphics, and full branding projects. I love working with churches, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community organizations, especially when I can take an idea that’s still a little rough around the edges and turn it into something polished and exciting.
I think I’m known for being versatile, creative, and really listening to what my clients want. What I’m most proud of is how much I’ve grown from simply making things look good to understanding strategy, audience, messaging, and print production, especially with the usage and quick microwave usage of AI design that I can spot from a mile away, I want my work to stand out. What sets me apart is that I understand both the creative and production sides of design, and I always want the final piece to feel like you, not just something I designed.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was I total introvert and tinkerer. I liked to see how things worked. I am the third of 4 children and my mother says she always had to check on me when I was a baby because I was just TOO quiet. I loved books and writing, and just creating things. I was also a big food network geek. I loved to be in the kitchen. I still love to try out new recipes every now and again. I still can’t can’t frost a cake correctly but i sure can make it taste good.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lbdrewdesigns.com/
- Instagram: lbdrewdesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567362353281
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/laurenbdrew
