Stanley Hainsworth

Stanley Hainsworth is the founder of Tether, a pan-discipline/medium agnostic/global-local/(insert latest here) agency that is passionate about one thing: telling stories that matter. He has been creating visual brand stories for eager audiences worldwide for twenty-five years – while working at Nike, Lego and Starbucks – to his current passion at Tether. Hainsworth is an AIGA national board member, a featured speaker on creativity worldwide and the recipient of a long list of awards that would seem boastful to post (see small print in addendum).

Stanley is the author of Idea-ology, the designer's journey: Turning ideas into inspired designs.

The Storyteller: So, You Want to be a Designer?

I get asked frequently by students, "What is the best way to interview for a design position?" If I'm looking at your portfolio and it has your packaging project and your sustainability project and your identity project, it kind of looks like every other student's portfolio.

Topics: Design Reference, Handmade, Professional Development, Self-Promotion, Studio Secrets

The Storyteller: Design is a Story

Design tells a story.

Topics: Branding Identity, Color, Interactive Design, Packaging, Type

The Storyteller: A Strategic Designer is a Creative Designer

Designers are the most strategic thinkers that I know.

Topics: Branding Identity, Design Reference, Managing Design, Professional Development, Studio Secrets

The Distraction of Design: How I Get Everything and Nothing Done

Life is a story to me.

Topics: Branding Identity, Packaging, Product Design, Self-Promotion, Studio Secrets

The Storyteller: The Glamorous Life of a Designer: How about we meet at 5G 93?

You know the glamorous life of a designer? If I may: 3M25 – Redeye from Seattle to NYC to give a speech at a design conference.

Topics: Managing Design, Professional Development

The Storyteller: A 300-year-old Japanese Beauty Secret

At Tether, we have the opportunity to work on a gem of a beauty brand called TATCHA.

Topics: Branding Identity, Design Reference, Fashion, Handmade, Packaging

The Storyteller: Top 10 Thoughts From a Designer to a Designer

One of my favorite things about a year ending are the reflective lists that pop up.

Topic: Design Reference

The Storyteller: Design the Holidays

I remember hearing someone say, "Look around you, everything you see has been designed, or willfully undesigned, by someone.

Topics: Branding Identity, Color

The Storyteller: What Drives Design: From Concept to Final Identity Design

As a designer, you count yourself fortunate when a project comes to you that combines several of your passions.

Topics: Branding Identity, Environmental Design, Interactive Design

The Storyteller: Dia de los Muertos

My grandmother, great-grandfather, and his father all lived in Mexico.

Topics: Color, Design Reference, Environmental Design, Handmade, Self-Promotion, Type

The Storyteller: SOLD

Sometimes you have the opportunity to tell the stories of those that have no voice.

Topics: Design Reference, Random, Self-Promotion

The Storyteller: You Can't Make It Up If It's Real

At Tether we were invited to participate in an AIGA Design Festival in Seattle.

Topics: Branding Identity, Design Reference, Layouts, Self-Promotion

The Storyteller: The Same, But Different: One designer's journey through packaging in the UK

As I traveled through the UK this summer and I tried to put work out of my mind, I kept seeing things that brought me back to the packaging world.

Topics: Branding Identity, Design Reference, Packaging, Product Design

The Storyteller: We Make Stuff

I am, and always want to be an originator.

Topics: Branding Identity, Design Reference, Handmade, Self-Promotion, Type

The Storyteller: A Brand is a Person. A Person is a Brand.

Look at her. Amy Winehouse lived her brand to the end.

Topics: Branding Identity, Packaging, Product Design, Random

The Storyteller: The Design Equivalent of a Gatorade Dunk

A client comes to you and says something like, "I have a product we've been selling for 45 years, and it's done really well for us, but we're sure there is more opportunity out there.

Topics: Branding Identity, Packaging, Product Design

The Storyteller: Design as Theatre

Once upon a time I had an epiphany.

Topic: Branding Identity