Meet Anna Long | CEO & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Long and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I chose to pursue a creative career because it is something that I truly love. I have always been interested in art, my background is in fine art. I did a lot of painting and drawing growing up until I reached college. While obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design, I was hired by a local brewery in my college town. This changed the trajectory of my design career because it opened up the world of package design to me. I quickly fell in love with label design and the beverage industry. Fast forward a couple of years, and my partner, Tevon, and I decided to launch Norlo Design! A graphic design agency that specializes in the craft beverage market. I love the freedom that art provides and the opportunity it gives to express myself. Art has and always will play a huge part in my life! I am grateful that I get to do it (in some shape or form) every day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a package graphic designer, I pride myself on being a very intentional designer. Coming from a fine art background, I really value details within my work. I am also an illustrator so being able to design in a wide range of styles is important to me. I enjoy colorful, fun, unique, and bold design so I try to mirror that in my own work. I am also a big typography fan, so I really enjoy meshing design and typography together in ways that excite people. Having worked in the craft beer world for over 6 years, I have inside industry knowledge which I believe sets me a part as a strong designer. I spent a lot of time designing beer label after beer label which eventually turned into me launching Norlo Design, which then allowed me to expand my horizons to other complex designs like coffee packaging design. Along the way, I have learned to stay true to your style and what you like to create. Since art can be so subjective, it’s important to remember why you stuck with art in the first place and to allow yourself to create for yourself. Not everything has to be for someone else! I want the world to associate Norlo Design with strong, fun, and kick-ass design! We like to have fun and we like to create new things that inspire others, all while pushing the boundaries a little.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many in Denver! Tevon and I are big foodies so we would for sure recommend (probably too many) food spots to anyone visiting! Who doesn’t love a good brunch spot? I am a big fan of Denver Biscuit Co (you have to get the giant cinnamon roll, trust me), Sam’s No. 3, and Woodgrain Bagels just to name a few. You obviously have to hit up some breweries while in Colorado and I am a fan of Copper Kettle Brewing, Ratio Brewing, and Cerebral Brewery, just to name a few of many! Hiking is also a must, and anywhere you go here is stunning. Just being out in the fresh mountain air is something everyone needs to experience. I do love me some shopping, so Stanley Marketplace is a fun spot with local vendors to check out and so is the entire RiNo and South Broadway area. Denver is just the best.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a multitude of people that deserve a shoutout from me! My partner in life, Tevon, deserves a big shout out. He founded my business with me and has always encouraged me to put myself out there and to believe in myself. He has been encouraging me since day one when it comes to my art and talent, and I attribute a lot to him. Norlo wouldn’t be what it is without him. Additionally, my parents, for always encouraging my artistic side and supporting it, wherever it has lead me. All of my close friends that have shown up and supported me in the early stages of my business and told me that what I am doing matters. Your support means everything.

Website: https://www.norlodesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/norlodesign/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/norlo-design/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorloDesign

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/norlodesign/

Other: Dribbble: https://dribbble.com/norlodesign