For over 40 years, Nancy Ruzow has been the go-to strategic designer for mission-driven brands.

Design and type (fonts) are my obsessions (along with cooking, tennis, and the beach), but what drives my work is something more specific: helping organizations communicate clearly when things start to get complicated.

I believe that good design is about more than, well, just design. It’s about a partner who can make complex information clear, structured, and readable — so people can understand it and act, while seamlessly integrating into your department or projects.

Good design isn’t decoration. It’s decision-making.
I’ve been running this business for four decades, so I understand deadlines, internal dynamics, and what it takes to get something out the door without losing your mind in the process. Clients say I listen, get stuff done, am indispensable, and am always ready to roll up my sleeves and pitch in.

Since reader attention isn’t a given, I help shape what matters, create hierarchy so they know where to look first, and build clear structure, pacing, and restraint that make the difference between something that gets skimmed and something that gets read. In high-stakes communications like annual reports, impact reports, and campaigns, that difference matters. It can lead to stronger engagement, better alignment, or even help fund an entire building (ask me about Oxford University’s $240M endowment). This approach is the foundation of my Readability Drives Revenue Methodology.

Capabilities That Expand to Meet Your Needs
Ruzow Graphics combines the attention of a single, experienced partner with the flexibility of a larger team. I bring in a talented pool of collaborators when needed, scale based on your project, and stay your main point of contact throughout. You’re not passed around or  starting over every time. And yes, if you care about this kind of thing, the work has earned 80+ awards across national design competitions.

Meet Nancy: Designer, Strategic Partner, Problem-Solver
When I started this business, I didn’t set out to build a company that would last decades. I set out to do good work and be someone clients could rely on. That hasn’t changed. 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 stay for years because the work goes beyond deliverables. I become a trusted resource  and strategic design partner — someone who understands how their organization communicates and helps them do it better over time (also, the witty banter doesn’t hurt). (Some Ruzow Graphics Clients)

What Inspires Me
I have a BS degree in graphic design 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, annual report, and impact report design 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 Ilise Benun, Michael Janda, and Meg Casebolt. I guess I inspire some people, too, as I was named an AIGA Fellow and to Graphic Design USA’s People to Watch. And I spend a good amount of time working with other creatives through my accountability community, the Creatives Roundtable.

My Core Values

• Purpose Over Decoration: Design should do more than look good. Every project should communicate clearly, support organizational goals, and create meaningful results. Design is most effective when it serves a purpose.
• Readability Drives Revenue: People can’t act on what they don’t understand. Clear typography, thoughtful hierarchy, accessible design, and well-organized information help audiences engage, make decisions, and take action. Better communication creates better outcomes. This is why the Readability Drives Revenue Methodology is at the core of everything I do.
• Partnership Over Transactions: The best work is built together. I value collaboration, transparency, honesty, and mutual respect. The strongest client relationships are long-term partnerships built on trust.
• Craft Over Shortcuts: Details matter. Typography, hierarchy, accessibility, consistency, and thoughtful execution are not extras. They are the foundation of effective communication and exceptional design.
• Curiosity Over Complacency: Learning keeps us relevant. I embrace new ideas, technologies, and approaches while remaining grounded in proven design principles. Curiosity helps me solve problems, adapt, and grow alongside clients.
• Integrity Over Opportunity: Not every project is the right project. I choose to work with organizations whose values align with my own. I am committed to respectful collaboration, LGBTQ+ affirmation, and using my skills to support organizations making a positive impact.

Where You’ll Find Me
I split time between NYC and my home office in Westport, CT, where I live with my Cuban husband (thus the tostones), our cats, and a growing family that includes three grandsons. When I’m not designing, you’ll find me on a tennis court, at the beach in Cape Cod, tending to my cactus collection, making brisket, or drinking sake (got any favorites… send them my way)!

Let’s get down to creative business!

Let’s Talk!

• 2025 AIGA Design Fellow
• 80+ National Graphic Design Awards
• Certified Women-Owned Business
• Owner and coach, CreativesRoundtable.com,  small group coaching and accountability groups devoted to helping creative business owners focus, fine-tune, and thrive

Creative Collaborators & Tools I Use

I like to take projects from start to finish, but some work benefits from additional expertise. When that happens, I partner with trusted collaborators who know their craft. I’m also sharing the tools that help keep my business running smoothly.