About Us

Outsmart, outshine and outdo your competition with branding that works even harder than you!

Hi, I’m Susan.
I develop killer brands and marketing collateral for organizations like these…

Services-Based Businesses

Whether you’re launching something new or evolving an established brand, we help you create a brand that truly reflects who you are now — and where you’re headed next.

Nonprofits

You’re busy saving the world and need a brand that supports your mission.

Associations

You have big missions, and big ideas and need a brand that keeps pace.

Event Planners

You’re juggling a million details and need a brand that makes your events stand out and shine

If you’ve got a decades-old logo or branding and messaging that is no longer pulling its weight (heck, maybe it never did), let me step in.

I take all those half-formed ideas swirling in your head — the ones you know have potential but can’t quite wrangle — and turn them into a brand that speaks directly to your audience.

It’s smart. It’s polished. And yes, it’s precisely what you’ve been looking for (even if you couldn’t quite put it into words).

"How can you help me?"

I’m glad you asked.

My team and I specialize in the art and science of brand development. While some firms like to stick to one niche and call it a day, we believe variety is the spice of creativity.

Why?

Because seeing the world from different angles sparks fresh, innovative ideas — ideas that those niche-only firms just might miss.

Add to that our proven process, honed over decades of experience and you’ve got yourself a team uniquely equipped to give your brand the creative edge it deserves — no matter what corner of the market you call home.

“How do I know you’re any good?”

Fair question.

I’ve been creative all my life. By the time I was five, art wasn’t just something I did — it was who I was. My mom, the ultimate cheerleader, made me feel unstoppable (thanks, Mom!).

Fast forward to college, and I was the kid with paint-stained hands and a punk haircut, earning a fine-art degree and dreaming of gallery openings and art shows.

Reality check: Gallery dreams don’t pay the bills.

So, I landed a job at a printing company (entirely by accident) and — bam!— fell head over heels for graphic design.

Over the last 20 years, I’ve teamed up with uber-talented marketing pros Gary Treer and Kate Schaffner and built a small yet mighty team of designers. Together, we’ve helped a variety of businesses and organizations ditch cookie-cutter branding and find their one-of-a-kind voice and look. Here are some samples, ‘cuz I know you’re gonna ask!

Imagine this:

You walk into a bar, and they only serve martinis.

And not the smooth, sip-worthy vodka kind, but the kind that makes you wish you’d ordered water.

Compare that to a bartender who can whip up perfectly delectable custom martinis, creamy umbrella-filled drinks or mocktails so darn good you can’t believe they don’t have a drop of booze.

I bet I know which place you’d rather go.

That’s us.

Whether you’re running a business, a nonprofit or an association, we’ve got the know-how (aka the Sharper Focus) to mix up a brand that fits your unique needs — shaken, stirred or on the rocks.

Sharper Creative has assisted Grudi Associates with a full range of creative services for over 20 years. Their creativity, expertise and ability to develop effective marketing materials have been invaluable to us.

Walt Grudi

Grudi

The Magic Behind the Work

I work with a powerhouse of creative minds who bring fresh perspectives and unmatched skill to every project. Each of us brings something distinct to the table, and together, we create branding that makes an impact and captures attention. Here’s a peek at who’s making the magic happen behind the scenes:

Meet the Core Team

Susan leads the team with expert art direction, constantly pushing creative boundaries. She brings a smart, stylish approach that hits the mark every time.

Gary is our creative strategist. He’s the one who challenges assumptions and pushes boundaries, getting you to think in new, bold impactful directions.

Kate is the queen of brand development. She transforms complex ideas into simple, clear messages that tell your story in the most compelling way.

Linda is our print production wizard. She has a keen sense for all things design and has the tech-savvy expertise to ensure flawless execution.

Vanessa brings brands and marketing to life with finesse. Thoughtful, thorough, and always on point, she adds the perfect touch that pulls everything together.

Additionally, we’ve got an awesome network of talented creatives — illustrators, copywriters, proofreaders, and programmers — all primed, experienced, and ready to help your brand become the best version of itself.

We’ve got the people and the know-how to make your brand shine in ways that’ll have you saying, “Wow, you guys make us look awesome!”

Why Working With Us Works

We’re invested in your success.

Our roots go back to 1997, so we’ve been in the design game for a long time.

A flexible, nimble team.

Whether it’s a big project or a quick turnaround, we’re agile and ready to tackle anything.

No red tape, no nonsense

Forget about agency fluff and sky-high fees. You get the creativity without the corporate overhead.

Fresh, innovative ideas.

With our diverse expertise, we bring new perspectives that help your brand stand out from the crowd.

We provide reliable support.

You can count on us to deliver high-quality work on time, every time — no stress, no surprises.

A true partnership.

From start to finish, we work alongside you, making sure your vision comes to life exactly as you imagined.

Wanna Get Started?

We’re all about making it easy for you to take the next step — whether you prefer to chat or type. Either way, we’re here for you. But you have to take the first step …

Wanna chat? Schedule a call.
Prefer a note? Click right here.

So, go ahead and do it!

Featured Projects

Dive into the details of some featured projects or get an overview of work in the gallery.

I was hoping to get some nice graphics that would make my event look more professional, but Sue exceeded those expectations with her attention to detail and created gorgeous graphics that catch the attention of my audience and entice them to click on the event links.

Lisa Shaughnessy

Writing Retreat Sampler