Founder Interview
Emily Goldstein
Be willing to do the work that nobody sees.
So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself: where you’re from originally and where you live now.
I’m Emily (“m”), the owner and creative force behind m design, an independent design studio I’ve been running for more than 24 years. I’m a graphic designer by training, but I’ve always thought of myself more broadly as a problem solver and creative partner. I like to say that “m design makes order out of chaos, whether on a page, a screen, or in a yard!” I am from Baltimore, MD, and currently based there.
Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.
I love this location because it provides access to water and nature, as well as major cities. I love that I can experience all four seasons in Baltimore. Mostly, I love the communities I belong to here, from neighborhood to design-related to pick-up soccer. There are great people in Baltimore!
Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?
m design started more than 24 years ago with a simple idea: help businesses and organizations communicate who they are and become successful through good design. Over the years, that has grown into a wide range of work—from print to digital to environmental design, including corporate identity and branding systems for companies of all sizes. I’ve worked with businesses, nonprofits, schools, associations, entrepreneurs and organizations across the country and internationally.
What I really provide, though, is more than a finished design. I help clients take an idea, a problem, or a goal and figure out how to communicate it clearly and effectively. Every client is different, so I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions.
If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?
Be willing to do the work that nobody sees.
Starting a business isn’t just about doing what you’re good at. You have to learn how to sell, communicate, manage money, handle difficult situations, market yourself, and keep going when things don’t go according to plan. You also have to be willing to keep learning. The business you start may look very different from the business you have ten years later, and that’s okay. Evolve without losing sight of why you started.
What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?
Over the years, I have received many compliments and notes of thanks for my dedication and execution of graphic design work, but one comment I won’t forget came from a landscaping client who told me that her life was extremely stressful, and that being able to come out onto her deck and look out over her newly designed backyard has made a huge difference in her mental health. I take great pride in being able to make someone’s life better!
Where do you see your company in the future?
I see m design continuing to evolve rather than becoming something completely different. Graphic design and branding will always be at the heart of the business, but I’m excited about expanding into landscape design and exploring the connection between visual identity and physical space. I can see a future where those disciplines complement each other—helping businesses and organizations think about not just how they look on a page or screen, but how people experience their physical environment as well.
After 24 years, I’m less interested in predicting exactly what the business will look like and more interested in continuing to learn, create, and follow new opportunities.
What is the biggest misconception about your industry?
One of the biggest misconceptions about design is that it’s simply about making something look good. Good design is much more than decoration. It’s about communication, problem-solving, strategy, and understanding the audience. A beautiful design that doesn’t communicate the right message or help accomplish a business goal isn’t necessarily good design.
I also think people sometimes underestimate how much thought goes into work that looks simple. The simpler the solution, the harder the work!
What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?
One of the biggest challenges has been staying relevant in an industry that has changed dramatically since I started. I’ve gone from traditional print production to desktop publishing, the internet, social media, mobile technology, and now AI. Every major shift has required learning new tools and rethinking how I work.
I’ve learned that the key isn’t trying to keep up with every new technology just because it’s new. It’s understanding which tools are actually useful and then combining them with experience, creativity, and—most importantly—human judgment.
Any shoutouts you want to make?
My family (including pets), friends, colleagues and creative collaborators, clients, mentors and supporters.
Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?
