Hi, I’m Sawyer.
I’ve been doing graphic design professionally for six years — brand identity, print collateral, editorial layout, digital graphics. I started Coates Creative in 2025 to work directly with businesses that need reliable design support without the overhead of an agency or the unpredictability of a temperamental freelancer.
I have a BFA in Graphic Design from UCF, and before going independent I built and managed visual materials for the ISS National Laboratory — conference branding, publication layout, the works. I know how to work within brand standards, meet hard deadlines, and take direction without making it weird.
If you need something that looks professional and gets done on time, that’s what I do.
How I think about design
I’m not going to tell you I’m passionate about design or that it’s my calling. What I’ll tell you is that I’m good at it, I care about the outcome for your business, and I won’t make the process harder than it needs to be.
Good design, to me, is design that does its job. It looks professional, communicates clearly, and holds up in the real world — whether that’s a business card, a billboard, or a magazine cover. I don’t chase trends or push a personal aesthetic onto client work. I build what the project needs.
What I work in
I work primarily in Adobe Creative Suite — Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop. For brand identity and logo work, Illustrator. For anything print or publication, InDesign. I deliver press-ready files, properly set up for whoever’s printing your job.
I use AI tools selectively — for reference, ideation, and workflow efficiency. Every final file is built by hand.
Working with me
Projects start with a clear brief — what you need, what it’s for, who it’s talking to. From there I work fast, communicate clearly, and don’t disappear for two weeks between emails. Most projects include two rounds of revisions. If you know what you want, I’ll build it. If you’re not sure, I’ll ask the right questions until we get there.
I’m based in Rockledge and work with clients locally and remotely.
