TO STAND OUT, YOU HAVE TO LEAP

In all of my favorite graphic design, marketing, and branding projects, there’s one commonality: at some point during the process, I leap. I try something a little risky or out of my comfort zone. Sometimes, it works out beautifully, while other times, I look back and wonder what was I thinking. Whether it's choosing a font that defies the norms of an industry or pitching a campaign idea that veers off the conventional path.

But regardless of the outcome, there’s always one feeling that follows: relief. Either the relief that the risk paid off and led to something great or the kind that comes from learning something I couldn’t have discovered without trying. And that’s the heart of it—stepping into the unknown, trusting the process, and giving yourself room to explore uncharted territory. Design and marketing often walk this line between traditional and exploratory.

I found myself in one of these situations recently while designing the cover for The London Leap, a novel by first-time author Samantha Kramer. She had written this book over a longer period than she intended, and now she was finally ready to bring it into the world. Her leap? Publishing her first book. Mine? Designing my very first book cover and first attempt at a watercolor-style illustration. (See pictured at end of post)

As we worked together, I noticed something: Samantha and I were both in the middle of our own leaps. She had grown up a passionate reader and lover of literature, dreaming of becoming an author one day. Over the months, our shared experience of taking risks became clearer. I gathered that the unknown had slowed down her progress until now. And as I navigated the unfamiliar world of book cover design, I felt that same tension of uncertainty. We both ended up making the decision to leap, to take the risk head on and embrace the outcome regardless of what it may be.

When the book was finally published, I attended her official Book Reveal Event, surrounded by her friends and family. The energy was electric, surrounded by cheers, congratulations, and so much pride for what she had accomplished. It was one of those moments where all the self-doubt, procrastination, and uncertainty that came before had evaporated as if they were never there. Hearing first-hand the testimony of those at the event expressing how they enjoyed the book and even the cover design brings this all home.

Whether you're launching a new business, selecting a bold design direction, or writing your first novel, the future remains uncertain until you take the leap. You can't simply follow what is considered 'normal' or be bound by uncertainty. In life, graphic design, or whatever the situation taking a leap is proof that you had the courage to trust your gut, and the world noticed.

To Purchase 'The London Leap'. Click Here