Graphic Design (with a side of brisket and tostones)

Design is my obsession (along with cooking, tennis and the beach), and the drive to keep innovating stems from my no-nonsense, process-driven approach to creative work (with a heaping spoonful of fun).

I believe that good design is about more than, well, just design. It’s about a partner who understands what it’s like to run a business (I’m going on 3+ decades), meet deadlines, and seamlessly integrate into your department or projects.

I’ve been around long enough to know that logos, colors, and type are important, but relationships, trust, and problem-solving are vital to nailing creative that moves the needle — or funds an entire building (ask me about Oxford University’s $240M endowment). Clients say I listen, get stuff done, am indispensable, and am always ready to roll up my sleeves and pitch in — like when I was asked to create a 300-page rookie guide for a major sports league in a matter of weeks.

Capabilities That Expand to Meet Your Needs
From corporate to non-profit and everything in between, Ruzow Graphics offers you the personal attention of a nuanced, visual storyteller combined with the extensive and collaborative capabilities of a firm. The beauty of having my own agency is the flexibility to scale up or down based on your needs. I’ve amassed quite the talented pool of collaborators (who amaze me daily), but, never fear, you’ll always get me as your main point of contact. And, if you care about this kind of stuff, I’ve won 79 awards (and counting) from the American Graphic Design Awards, Healthcare Marketing Awards, and others.

Meet Nancy: Graphic Designer and Strategic Business Partner
When I founded my graphic design firm, I could never have imagined this graphic design company would still be here decades later…and thriving. The secret to my success, and the one thing that’s never changed, is my philosophy on offering a personal touch to my clients. Most of my clients have been with me for years, mostly because I become a trusted resource and act as one of their own (or maybe it’s my witty banter). Some Ruzow Graphics Clients

What Inspires Me
I have a degree in graphic design from Buffalo State, where I was introduced to the work of Milton Glaser, Joan Miro, and Paul Rand — who continue to influence me and my work in business branding and services. I guess you could say I’ve been at this design thing basically my whole life. I’m also constantly motivated by business influencers like Chris Do, Emily Cohen, Ilise Benun, and Melinda Livsey. And, I guess I inspire some people too, as I was named to Graphic Design USA’s People to Watch list in 2021. I also enjoy working with other creatives and offer small group coaching with an accountability community called the Creatives Roundtable.

Where You’ll Find Me: Westport, CT, and NYC
I split time between NYC and my home office, situated on 2.5 acres of weeds in Westport, CT with my Cuban husband (thus the tostones), crazy cats, and sometimes grown daughters, son-in-law, and a beautiful grandson. When I’m not designing, I play tennis obsessively, boogie board at the beaches of Cape Cod, grow cactus, make a mean brisket, and drink sake. (Got any favorites? Send them my way.)

Want a design partner that gets it?

Contact
Nancy

• 100% certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE, WBENC, WPEO)
• Owner and moderator, CreativesRoundtable.com,  small group coaching and accountability groups devoted to helping creative business owners focus, fine-tune and thrive
• 79 National Graphic Design Awards

Creative Collaborators

I like to take all projects from start to finish. Sometimes the project scope needs more than graphic design and design thinking, so I bring in great collaborators when the project calls for more specific expertise.