I'm Danielle Ancheta of Graphics By Dane and This Is How I Work

With millions of designers actively making art across the globe, it could be hard to stand out. But that’s not something that I find hard, though. It’s a thought that fuels me to be better in every project that I do.

My name is Dane, and I’m your friendly neighborhood design guy.

I come from simple and humble beginnings. I started off studying computer software in college, but my artistic side soon took over my passion, so I decided to follow my heart. It kind of sounds cliché, but it worked wonders for my career and network.

A couple of years later, I’m now the captain of my own ship, helping clients from across the globe and Baguio elevate their message through design.

How I Work

My process doesn’t involve much, but it does entail a lot of immersion in various creative content. I’m subscribed to different subreddits about design and cinematography. I dabble in tutorials that are churned out on the daily. I participate in local Facebook group discussions about graphic design. Once you get good at something, the learning and collaboration have to continue. I’m also a huge fan of Creative Bloq’s articles and always into podcasts that talk about design both in theory and in practice.

So that’s basically how I learn off other designers’ talents and styles.

Now, when I work with my clients, I always figure out their aesthetic profile. It’s something that I create in order to fit their persona to the design that I am making. It doesn’t matter if it’s a poster, a calling card, a website, etc.—I have to have a profile that I know my clients identifies with. By doing this, I am creating a fusion of my style and their design preferences. It’s a mutual relationship. You give me the themes and your aesthetic and I mesh it with mine.

This type of cognitive collaboration is something that helps me thrive and get the right creative inspiration. It also helps me avoid burnout and fatigue.

Every work I do is a combination of aesthetics and practicality. I don’t go overboard with the design; I flow with it and see how it complements what my clients want while infusing my style.