We are a small studio by design. Ray builds everything that leaves the studio. Kandace brings an anthropologist's eye for what makes people tick. For twenty years, we've combined those instincts: dig into the research, find the real story, then bring it to life.
We’re based in Portland, working with clients from Brooklyn to Dubai.
The digital craftsman
Ray Brigleb has spent twenty years designing for people who make things they care deeply about. Roasters, importers, makers. His own obsession happens to be coffee: he was Employee #1 at Stumptown Coffee Roasters and helped build that brand from scratch. When he left to start Needmore, Stumptown became Client #1. He also produced the Unpacking Coffee podcast and created the tasting app Cuppin. That background taught him to listen before designing and to build for how a business works, not just how it looks.
The story architect
Trained in Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics, Kandace Brigleb figures out what makes brands tick. She approaches each project as an ethnographic expedition, asking the questions that reveal what makes you different. A keynote speaker at WooConf and a recognized voice in the e-commerce community, she brings that same clarity to her role as your dedicated Producer. She keeps complex projects moving while ensuring the authentic story stays at the center of every decision.
Over 76 episodes, we sat down with a different coffee roaster each week to talk about their story and their design. It started as a passion project, but it’s also how we’ve built relationships across the industry and sharpened our eye for what makes coffee packaging work. The show is currently on hiatus, but the archive is worth a visit.
When he’s not designing, Ray spins vintage vinyl around Portland. He holds down monthly residencies at Radio Room and Keys Lounge, with occasional sets elsewhere. The site is fun to poke around. He makes a new poster for every show and posts full set lists so you can dig into what he played.
We’d love to hear what you’re working on. Whether it’s a rebrand, a new website, packaging, or something you’re not quite sure how to describe yet, let’s start a conversation.
