Hi, I’m Alexis
I’m all about
making things beautiful &
making beautiful tings
About me
I’m Alexis Danielsen, a 40-something graphic designer, photographer, brand consultant and owner of Freebird Studio, a boutique design studio specializing in helping artists and creators become more visible to their target audience.
I was born in Germany, grew up in Denmark and since 2018 I’ve lived on stolen land in so-called British Columbia, Canada. I’m a partner, a mother and a daughter. I’m white, neurodivergent, cisgender, trauma-survivor, able-bodied and queer af!
Freebird Studio is a space where I focus all my knowledge and creativity on helping others grow their small business.
Background and career
I graduated from University College Nordjylland (Denmark) in 2010 with an AP degree in graphic design and started working as a freelance graphic designer while I was still in college. For most of my career I’ve been working for myself, except for a spirit-crushing but professionally interesting year in 2013/2014 where I worked at Lene Bjerre Design.
During my career I’ve helped numerous small businesses and startups develope their brand and making logos, as well as all other marketing materials like business cards, ads, magazines, etc. I draw from my knowledge about sociology and psychology, and I use different business analysis tools as well as coaching techniques in my work. Photography has always been a special interest of mine, but I’ve only recently started to implement it into my business.
How I work & what to expect
You have put your heart and soul into your business. Maybe even blood, sweat and tears. I know how important this is to you, and also how vulnerable. Working with a graphic designer on your small business is an intimate process, especially with big and important personal projects, because I have to get to know you and your project well in order to make the right design for you.
I’m ethical af with my work and only take on clients if we’re a good match and I believe I can help you. I do not do right wing propaganda, anti LGBTQIA2S materials or antivax/anti science projects.
Trauma and healing
In 2017 my life took an unexpected turn when a traumatic miscarriage left me with PTSD. After that my life fell completely apart. Undiagnosed and untreated PTSD is a living nightmare that I wouldn’t wish for my worst enemy.
I was lucky, I had support and eventually got treatment, but my experience has changed me to the core and it’s been a long and ongoing recovery. But on the other side of trauma, there’s post traumatic growth! And I can’t deny that my trauma has made me both a better person and a better designer!
If you’re a person dealing with trauma, it might be triggered in the process of making a website or working on your branding. I know what that’s like from my personal experience and numerous clients throughout the years, and I always aim to create a safe space for everyone I’m working with.
Creativity
Creativity has saved my life. I’ve always been creative, but after my trauma creativity became my lifeline. When I couldn’t do anything, I could draw. I slowly learned to turn my pain into art. I learned to create a space inside me devoted to exploring my creativity. I’m a maker of things from jewelry to clothes to coatracks, and I have more ideas than hours in the day.
Our work together is a creative collaboration. I invite you into my beautifully chaotic space (metaphorically) where we explore ideas together that end up in branding and marketing materials you feel proud to share with your costumers.
Fuck capitalism!
Trying to run an ethical business in late-stage capitalism is complicated, but we all have to eat. My hourly rate is $180, based on the market and the value I create. As this is not accessible for many, I also offer pro-bono work and project-based pricing on a very sliding scale as well as alternative payments.
There’s no financial barrier to working with me. But I only take on clients if I genuinely believe I’m the right person to help them. Priority is always given to humans in marginalized bodies and/or with non-neurotypical brains.
Please reach out if you think I’m the right person to help you take your business to the next level! I’m motivated by the work, not the money.
Send me a message and let’s talk about your dream!
I’m always happy to connect with other creatives. Please reach out and book a consultation if you’re curious about what I can do for your brand.
Email me at hi@alexisdanielsen.com and I will get back to you!
Or come say hi on Instagram where I occasionally post photos and sometimes rant about shit…