I’m a creative director working at the intersection of brand, product, and sensory emotion. 

For over 20 years, I’ve partnered with visionary teams to design experiences and identities that don’t just function, but resonate. My focus is on work that holds emotional weight, builds cultural relevance, and feels as true as it looks.

I lead projects through Brutally Human, my imprint, and Métisse, a studio dedicated to multi-sensory branding and deeper forms of connection between brands and people. I have designed and launched multiple successful products, such as Sentinotes - a mental health tracker for team leaders and families. 

When I’m not working, I’m teaching, traveling, or designing the next thing that won’t leave me alone ( currently it is The Department of Time project that helps you redesign your relationship with time ).

I take on a small number of collaborations each year with teams who want to build with intention, not urgency. If that’s you, I’d love to talk.

Since LinkedIn algo is a sexist machine, I would love to take a moment to shine light on some of the amazing women leaders who are definitely worth a follow and voice amplification.

1. Cindy Gallop
2. Zoe Scaman
3. Natalie Elizabeth Boll
4. Ioanna Mantzouridou Onasi
5. Deirdre O'Neill
6. Ioana Teleanu
7. Kat Gabrielle
8. Maura McInerney-Rowley
9. Madison Butler 🏳️‍🌈🦄
10. Keisha Mabry Haymore (heyFRIEND)
11. Erin Willett
12. Daniele-Jocelyne O.
13. Dr. Virpi Tervonen, CEC


There are plenty more which I will be sharing later on. Give them all a follow, like, and share their stories, because they are stories of resilience, health, justice, triumph, selfless acts and inspiration, and above all deep insights and knowledge.

Stanley Vaganov

Creative director helping founders turn purpose into presence through strategy, branding, product design, and immersive experiences.

Look what I dug up in my Brooklyn home library! My OGs will appreciate this gem.
Rob Ford remember this?

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So many founders on LinkedIn speak with absolute authority on design without a body of work to justify the confidence. Every week there’s another post claiming they’ve reviewed “hundreds” of applicants and only found 1-2 good ones, another hot take declaring UX “dead,” or another proclamation that AI prototyping now replaces design entirely.

Take these proclamations lightly. None of them are industry truths. They’re personal opinions disguised as statistics.

What one founder prefers, or misunderstands, does not represent the design field at large. You’ll notice that these sweeping statements rarely come from Fortune 500 companies, established global studios, or organizations that actually invest in design excellence. 

They mostly come from early-stage SaaS founders who, to be blunt, have not yet mastered hiring or design.

Context matters. Experience matters. And loud opinions are not the same as expertise.

Every year around this time, I slow down.
Not to escape the work  but to return to it.

To ask: what did I create that truly mattered?
What did I rush past that deserved more reverence?

Design, to me, isn’t just about making things, it’s about how we move through time, what we choose to give shape to.

So as this year comes to a close, I’m opening space for a few personal collaborations for those who want to build something that feels alive. If you have been sitting on something but hesitant to pull the trigger let's talk and see if we can start a year intentionally. 

Whether it’s branding that tells your truth, a product that commands presence,
or a visual world that feels like home. let’s craft it slowly, beautifully, intentionally.

If you’ve been holding something back  a story, a vision, a name waiting to be spoken, maybe this is the moment to begin. Here’s to ending the year not with noise, but with clarity, care, and meaning.
 
Start a conversation: https://lnkd.in/eX3PJYhu

— Stanley / Brutally Human

Creative director for brands that lead with meaning. I help founders and teams build emotionally resonant products, identities, and sensory experiences that last.

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