Meet Avery Jelinek | Brand Designer

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

Hi Avery, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process was that I had no thought process! The summer after graduating college in 2019, I was just a broke, unemployed creative in the midst of a months-long search for a full-time job. Life moved pretty slow during that time and I found myself longing for something to fill my days with.

I graduated with a degree in Advertising. Because of the specific route I chose, I missed out on the professional graphic design teaching that art students receive. But also because of the route I chose, I ended up with a specific interest in marketing and what it looks like to build a brand.

That summer, I spent my days learning from Youtube tutorials and teaching myself some basic skills on Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. I began an “Instagram portfolio” of the designs I created, in an attempt to help my job search. And of course, being obsessed with branding, I had to give myself a logo and name: Avery Made. I had no idea that starting that Instagram, would’ve brought me clients from all over the U.S. wanting to work with me! I hadn’t a clue what I was doing, and I certainly didn’t know what to charge clients at the beginning, but the excitement of crafting purposeful brand identities for these small business owners that took a chance on me outweighed all of the risks!

Even after accepting a full-time position at a local corporation, the passion and excitement I had to work with Avery Made clients didn’t go away. The minute I ended my workday at my full-time job, I would race home to start work on my freelance projects.

Never did I have a moment of thinking, “I’m going to start up my own brand design business”. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in graphic design that reflected my degree so I just followed the steps that I thought were logical, ie. building a portfolio, meeting with local creatives. It’s when I started working with entrepreneurs that it clicked for me. I wanted to be just like them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve become most proud of the relationships that I’ve formed with my clients. At this point, it feels more like a friendship than anything else! I have loved being able to step into my clients’ worlds and learn more about what makes them unique. I pride myself on not just creating an impersonal logo, but instead putting genuine thought behind their brand identities. If there is no purpose behind the art, it can feel disingenuous. I try my best to stand out simply by being authentic.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m not a Colorado native, but find myself sneaking off to Breckenridge for creative getaways often! My favorite thing about the area is being in the heart of the mountains. No matter the season, there is beauty all around up there! I’m a frequent customer to Lolo Juice, Sancho Tacos, and The Blue Fish. If you are in need of a remote, work space, Unravel Coffee makes for the perfect spot. Oh, and I can’t forget about the Frisco Bay Marina just a few minutes away. Such a calming and beautiful place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family. Growing up in a house where there was always someone playing the piano or sitting at the kitchen table, craft scissors in hand & making a mess, I learned creativity at an early age. My mom taught me imagination through our bedtime stories and my sisters taught me that you can create something out of anything! My dad and brother believed in me and supported my wildest dreams (and helped me figure out my taxes along the way). My family is my backbone and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Website: averymade.co

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avery-jelinek-366586130/

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

Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averymadeco