The independent creative studio of Ryan Paonessa, a graphic designer, art director, and front-end developer who, for the past 20 years, has been working with brands to create clean and functional, aesthetically pleasing design solutions for web and brand identity.
Services & Capabilities
Ryan Paonessa Design works with brands worldwide in various sectors, including direct-to-consumer e-Commerce, hospitality, technology, iGaming, fashion, architecture, and more.
Visual Identity Design
Visual identity is often the key facet for how audiences perceive and experience brands & products and is one of the most important aspects of branding. Ryan Paonessa Design specializes in creating cohesive identity systems that are versatile, easily recognizable, and stand the test of time.
Potential deliverables:
- Logo(s)
- Color palette(s)
- Brand typography
- Brand style guide
- Packaging
- Wayfinding
- Print & collateral
- Brand illustration
- Iconography
To discuss your visual identity project in more detail, please fill out the new project questionnaire or send a detailed email to info@rpdsn.com.
Website Design & Development
Ryan Paonessa Design specializes in the planning, design, and development of bespoke, mobile-friendly websites and digital applications, such as brand sites, ecommerce stores, editorial content sites, digital brand guides, and more.
Service overview:
- User interface (UI)
- User experience (UX)
- Front-end development
- Prototyping
- Information architecture
- WordPress / Multisite
- Shopify / Shopify Pro
- Analytics & pixels
- App integrations
- Performance auditing
- HTML/CSS
- JavaScript/jQuery
- PHP
- Liquid
Select features:
- Responsive / mobile-friendly
- User friendly
- Cross-Browser compatible
- Flexible content editing
- Grid-based design
- Flexible & adaptable
- Industry best-practices
- SEO optimized
- Accessibility standards
- Speed & performance
- Tracking & analytics
- Well organized code
To discuss your project in more detail, please fill out the new project questionnaire or send a detailed email to info@rpdsn.com.
Graphic Design, Art Direction, and More
In addition the above services, Ryan Paonessa Design offers traditional graphic design services and art direction. Ryan also works with larger creative agencies and provides long-term design and technology services for select clients on an ongoin basis.
Services:
- Graphic art
- Art direction
- Creative direction
- Brand consulting
- Product development
- Photo direction
- Editorial design
- Pitch decks & proposals
- Email template design
- Advertising & marketing
- Website maintenance
- Domain/DNS services
- Website migrations
To discuss your project in more detail, please fill out the new project questionnaire or send a detailed email to info@rpdsn.com.
Process
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01. Learn
The foundation for successful design relies on information. You know your brand best but for this to work, I need to know what you know (and that means asking a lot of questions).
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02. Conceptualize
Once there's an understanding of your brand, the brainstorming begins and ideas run rampant. I'll spend time exploring what's possible and plan for how best to proceed.
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03. Create
My favrotie part—Head down obsessing over the smallest of details until a concept is brought to life. Don't worry, you'll be involved in the fun parts.
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04. Deliver
Ready for the world, everything will be packaged and delivered. But you can't get rid of me just yet—I'll work with you to ensure everything is functioning as it should.
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Ryan has real instincts for visual and experience design and deeply understands how people interact with products and brands...He is a tremendous asset to anyone he works with and will make you elevate your game to match his.
James BertuzziFounder, Status1 -
Besides having obvious design capabilities, Ryan clearly understands what it takes to deliver something as nebulous as an entirely new brand for a product in development. His approach was professional, streamlined, and enjoyable to be a part of.
Mike BossermanCofounder, Discern2 -
Ryan has been a savior for us in developing everything from our website, to brand ID, style guides, and much more. As we continue to evolve our brand he provides valuable strategic insight to the function and aesthetics needed for a best-in-class D2C experience.
Tyler FairchildManaging Director, Courser3 -
Ryan's grasp of brand, design and the artistic intersection of those things gives him a rare super power. Besides a thoughtful and human approach to his work, Ryan has a drive to go above and beyond to provide the best experience possible.
Jeffrey SkatzkaFounder, Measure4
Design Tenets
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Function
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Aesthetics
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Communication
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Exploration
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Organization
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Adaptability
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Connection
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Devotion
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About
Born and raised in New York, and currently based in Florence, AL, Ryan Paonessa has been working professionally in the fields of art, design, and technology for over 20 years.
In addition to his work in graphic design and web, Ryan is a practicing contemporary artist, working with paint and mixed-media. Ryan's work in both art and design often reflects a minimalist aesthetic and a meticulous, systematic approach, where the process of creating the work is as important as the work itself.
Ryan is an AIGA member, Shopify Partner, FIT alumnus, and the recipient of a 2020 A’ Design Award for Advertising, Marketing and Communication. Ryan's work has been exhibited internationally and featured in numerous design books and publications.
FAQ
How much will my project cost?
Way less than if it were done by an agency
Most projects are priced as a flat fee based on an estimate of the time required. That said, the scope of every project is different and so the time needed to complete each stage of a project varies. I do not price based on overhead, the size of your company, nor the ways you use the deliverables.
Occasionally, and mostly for existing clients, I can provide additional hourly work as needed.
If you have a specific budget in mind, please fill out the new project questionnaire or send a detailed email to ryan@rpdsn.com.
Do you offer payment plans?
I do not offer payment plans that extend beyond the final delivery date but most projects are divided into 2 or 3 payments, that correlate to project milestones, including the initial deposit. If you project requires more flexibility, please reach out to me to discuss in more detail.
Depending on the potential work required and my schedule/availability, I occasionally work on retainer for a pre-determined amount of time (eg: 6-months, 12-months, etc.). This is usually for existing clients who require additional, more frequent ongoing work.
How long will my project take?
The length of a project will depend on the scope of work and deliverables required. But here's a rough sample based on past projects:
- Logos: 1–2 months
- Brand Identity: 2–6 months
- Web Design: 1–2 months
- Web Design & Development: 3–4 months
Please note: the length of a project includes all back-and-forth communication, review & approval, testing, etc. and is not representative of the actual working time and subsequent cost of a project.
What will my project entail?
All projects follow a 4 part process: Learn, Conceptualize, Create, and Deliver (see process further up the page for more detail). And they're collaborative so you and your team will be included every step of the way. The details and deliverables within the above stages varies depending on the type of project and scope of work but will be outlined ahead of time for you to approve.
What is your availability/capacity?
As much as I would love to work on every project, I am essentially a team of one that puts 100% into every project and doesn't miss deadlines. In addition to ongoing work for existing clients, I try to take on no more than 2 new projects at any given time and schedule them strategically as not to overlap the heaviest lifting.
Availability is first-come-first-serve and deposits are required in advance to book project dates.
To discuss your project in more detail, please fill out the new project questionnaire or send a detailed email to ryan@rpdsn.com.
How do we start?
The best way to discuss your project is by starting with the new project questionnaire. This will provide me with a good initial overview of what you're looking for and help create an efficient platform for moving forward. Upon receipt of the questionnaire, I will follow up with additional questions and/or set-up a time for us to chat via phone or video. Alternatively, feel free to send a detailed email to ryan@rpdsn.com.