Tell us about your creative work and how you got to where you are now.
I transform brands from “who are you?” to “I would pay good money for that.”
I’m a strategic brand designer who believes your entire brand should feel like you – bold, human, outrageously unique. Because that’s what makes brands completely unforgettable. Custom is the only language I speak.
My athletic career peaked at a ’97 participation trophy, killing my father’s Olympic soccer dreams for me. So I spent my angsty teen years sketching endless illustrations to Silverchair in Doc Martens and smudged eyeliner. Turns out, my illustrations were pretty damn good.
I graduated from Zagreb’s Faculty of Graphic Arts in 2009, freelanced globally for years, had my son in 2017, and officially started Studio Stoked in 2019. And yes, if you think I’m crazy for starting a business during the terrible twos… you assume my insanity correctly. And I bring every luscious ounce of it to my projects.
How would you describe your design style?
Custom. I work to bring my clients’ visions and goals to life, not my own.
I don’t have a signature “look” that I slap on every project because that would be doing my clients a disservice. Your bakery shouldn’t look like someone else’s law firm. Your skincare line shouldn’t feel like a tech startup.
My style is understanding what makes your business tick, who you’re talking to, and what you need your brand to accomplish – then designing something that’s completely, authentically you. Sometimes that’s bold and edgy, sometimes it’s minimal and sophisticated, sometimes it’s warm and approachable.
The only consistent thread? Everything I create is strategic, custom, and designed to make your ideal clients think “yes, this is exactly what I was looking for.”
Describe your ideal client, project or collaboration.
It’s anyone that clicks with me and trusts me to bring their vision to life. Someone who doesn’t mind a kid negotiating snacks during a call, or a cat showing their bum on screen. Great brands are built in real life, not boardrooms.
I work with business owners who know they’re ready for something custom – not another template or DIY solution. They’re investing real money because they want real results. They get that branding isn’t just about looking pretty; it’s about making people stop, pay attention, and ultimately buy.
My clients are done playing small. They want a brand that feels as professional as the work they’re already doing, and they’re ready to charge what they’re actually worth. Most importantly, they trust the process – and they trust me to obsess over the details so they don’t have to.
Share a project you’re especially proud of and why.
The Village Motherhood Company
To quote Dennis Denuto of the Castle – it’s just the vibe. That feeling of I wish I had this when I was a new mum.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your creative journey that others might need to hear?
If your gut is screaming no – then say no.
I used to take on projects that felt “off” because I thought I needed the money or couldn’t afford to be picky. But every single time my instincts told me something wasn’t right – whether it was the client, the timeline, or the brief – I should have listened.
Now I trust that feeling completely. If something doesn’t feel right during our discovery call, or if a client wants to micromanage every pixel, or if they’re looking for cheap and fast over strategic and custom – I pass.
Because when you say no to the wrong projects, you make space for the right ones. The clients who get it, who trust the process, who become your biggest advocates. Those are the projects that light you up and create the work you’re actually proud to show off.
Your gut knows. Listen to it.
Who is a designer you admire?
@natalieraccostadesign & @larkbrandstudio
Two ladies that don’t gate keep and have my back. My IG friends that support me now matter what. It takes a village to run a business.
How do you stay inspired?
By choosing who to work with. Every project I finish has that feeling of “this is my best work yet.” Also coffee. And getting a bit of sunlight.
When you work with clients who trust your process and get excited about the possibilities, it’s impossible not to bring your A-game. Their energy feeds my creativity, and suddenly I’m sketching ideas at 2am because I can’t wait to show them what we’re building.
But honestly? The simple stuff matters too. Good coffee, stepping outside for actual daylight instead of living like a design vampire, and working with people who don’t drain my soul. When you protect your energy and only say yes to projects that light you up, inspiration isn’t something you have to chase – it just shows up.
Where can people connect with you or see more of your work?
studiostoked.com
instagram.com/studio.stoked/
