Danielle Podeszek, a Buffalo-based designer and founder of Pad Design Shop, has spent over a decade honing her expertise in logo design, apparel, and merchandise for outdoor and athletic brands. Specializing in trail running, marathons, and outdoor events, Danielle’s unique approach to design fuses bold colors, retro aesthetics, and modern functionality. After working for agencies and even the famous Buffalo Bills football team, she struck out on her own, combining her passion for adventure and creativity to build a thriving freelance business.
Freelance Success on Dribbble
A classmate introduced Danielle to Dribbble while she was in college. “When Dribbble was still invite-only, somehow I secured an invite and jumped right in.” Since then, the platform has been an important tool in her career, shaping her design style and connecting her with clients.
While at the Bills, Danielle used Dribbble to publish personal and side projects, building a portfolio that better reflected her interests and expertise. As she transitioned to freelancing, Dribbble became the perfect place to connect with clients and showcase her work, from logos to merchandise designs.
A Signature Style: Bold, Retro, and Timeless
Dedicated to her unique style, Danielle distinguishes herself from other designers. “I focus on what I know I’m good at and what I like,” she added. Known for her bright colors, bold design choices, and retro inspirations, Danielle’s work is visually enticing and instantly classic. Her design philosophy, centered on creating bold and eye-catching work that stands the test of time, inspires designers to focus on their strengths and create work that resonates with their ideal clients.
As a result, her collaborations are characterized by her style, especially in the outdoor and athletic sectors. Her designs for trail races and outdoor apparel embrace nostalgia while providing a fresh aesthetic that speaks to ambitious outdoorsy folks. By staying true to her personal style, Danielle has carved out a niche for herself that attracts clients looking for a distinctive, vibrant aesthetic.
Building Connections Through Design and Dribbble
Danielle credits Dribbble for helping her make connections with ideal clients. “Dribbble really helped me focus my approach,” she recalled. “I stopped posting random work, and instead, I focused on posting the type of designs I wanted to pursue.” By doing this, she was able to attract more clients in the outdoor and athletic sectors.
Danielle has also found the platform to be a more consistent source of leads than other platforms, like Instagram, especially with changes to social media algorithms. “I’ve had better luck getting clients through Dribbble now. The platform’s SEO and the ability to search by design type really help.”
The Dribbble community is another feature that can’t be replicated on social media. “It’s nice to follow designers I admire, and I love how it’s purely design-focused,” she says. The design-centric feed makes it easier for Danielle to stay inspired and up-to-date with what design peers are up to while engaging with the wider community. Posts from designers she follows don’t become lost in “the algorithm.”
Inspired by the Outdoors and Problem-Solving
For Danielle, inspiration comes from both the natural world and the design process. “The outdoors is always a huge influence. I also love taking photos of old logos, fonts, and wordmarks in thrift stores. The character in those designs really sparks my creativity.” This deep connection to the outdoors resonates in her designs, making them relatable to some of her key clients, mainly trail and outdoor brands.
Whether capturing the spirit of a race, designing a logo for a brewery, or creating an original t-shirt design, Danielle approaches each project with a problem-solving mindset. “I think of every project as a challenge to make something new out of an idea,” she explains. “Let yourself get inspired by your clients’ briefs. An easy thing to do if you work on projects you’re passionate about.”
Building a Reputation with Purposeful Projects
One of the most rewarding aspects of Danielle’s career is how her work has evolved through her interests and passions. “I’ve worked on many projects that align with my love for the outdoors, which makes the work feel even more meaningful.” A perfect example is her design exercise, creating retro and “outdoorsy” badges for The North Face. This project continues to resonate with her clients and followers. It has become a significant source of inspiration and even lead generation, which is a testament to her ability to capture the essence of a brand in a simple yet memorable design.
Her passion for design extends beyond the projects she works on for others—Danielle has her own t-shirt business, where she experiments with designs that reflect her creative vision. As luck would have it, creating online listings for the t-shirt business has even helped her create case studies and shots on Dribbble. “Keywords are really important,” she explains. “I use them to attract the clients who are looking for designs that speak to their specific needs, like ‘trail runner design’ or ‘race medal design.’”
Advice for Aspiring Designers
Danielle advises those looking to differentiate themselves in a competitive market to “do the projects that excite you. Fill your portfolio with work that aligns with your style, and don’t be afraid to create mock designs if the right clients aren’t coming your way yet.” Over time, the right clients will find your work, especially if you stay consistent with your style. Danielle’s strategy has led to new opportunities and collaborations, allowing her to concentrate more on creative work and less on marketing efforts. — Looking ahead, Danielle sees Dribbble as a constant in her design journey. “While I still post on Instagram and LinkedIn, Dribbble is where I’ve found consistent leads.” Her focus is on continuing to showcase work that excites her and staying connected to her ideal clients through the platform.
Danielle plans to keep pushing the boundaries of design as her business grows while maintaining the authenticity and passion for the outdoors that defines her work. She has built an impressive career through her dedication to design and loves helping others express their brand identity through her work.
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