After graduating high school in the height of COVID-19, graphic design was not on the forefront of Spencer Crandall’s mind. With a job already lined up in his uncle’s construction company, Crandall thought he had the next few years of his life mapped out. A career in design, let alone starting his own business, wasn’t part of that picture.
During high school, Crandall had experimented with Affinity for personal side projects. He enjoyed exploring the software, but mostly saw it as a hobby. That mindset began to shift, when a business elective introduced him to Photoshop and Illustrator. Pushed to expand his skills, he found himself enjoying the programs far more than he expected, and discovered a natural aptitude for the work.
An Unexpected Direction
Still, after graduation, design remained a side interest. With a
steady full-time position and little desire to jump straight into college, Crandall spent the next year working full-time in construction. It wasn’t until a close family friend suggested he apply to the graphic design program at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design that he seriously reconsidered his direction. Once starting his classes, it didn’t take long for something to click.
Early in his time at RMCAD, Crandall took Observational Drawing – a class that introduced him to skills he didn’t know he had. “I really gravitated toward that class,” he says. For his final project, he designed a poster inspired by merchandise from some of his favorite bands, and creatures from games like Witcher 3, Elden Ring, and Dark Souls. He then scaled up his illustration by tracing and carving the design into an eight-foot-by-eight-foot wooden board. The project reflected his hands-on creativity that continues to shape his design process today.
Building a Foundation
This passion carried into Design Systems – a course centeredon real-world branding and client collaboration. Each term, students partner with a company to develop professional design solutions ranging from full rebrands to logo design systems and brand identity design. That semester, Crandall and two other students were assigned to work with WE Solutions on a comprehensive rebrand.
Crandall worked closely with the WE Solutions team to develop an animated logo, website designs, vehicle wraps, email campaigns, and company merchandise. When the course concluded, the company asked to continue working with him outside the classroom. “I certainly wasn’t expecting the outcome that I had in that class,” Crandall says. “I just had the goal to work hard and push harder and do something better than I had done in the past.”
Taking The Leap
There was only one roadblock – continuing to work with the
company outside of the classroom would require Crandall to file a “Doing Business As” (DBA), a business or trade name with which to operate under as a business. Crandall was surprised but intrigued by the idea, and seeing as this was a fantastic opportunity to continue to get more experience, he knew he had to pursue it. After looking into the process of filing a DBA, Crandall determined that creating his own Limited Liability Company (LLC) would better suit his needs. He officially launched his company, Prismic Designs, marking his first step into graphic design business ownership. “I had a lot of imposter syndrome throughout the entire process, but I’ve stuck with it and I’ve learned a lot from it,” Crandall says.
After successfully filing his LLC, the relationship with WE Solutions led to additional connections and referrals. Managing freelance contracts while finishing his degree hasn’t been simple, but Crandall views it as part of the learning curve. “I’ve been going with the flow, while simultaneously excited and nervous. It was more nerve wracking when I was starting out, and the nerves are still there, of course, but I know that I can get through it.”
Building a Creative Future
Now preparing to graduate in May, Crandall plans to continue building his business as a freelance graphic designer full-time. “I’m looking forward to graduation so that I can really focus on my business, attend networking events, and continue to work with my current clients”. With a growing client base and clearer long-term goals, he’s focused on expanding his expertise – particularly in web design systems and emerging tools. He recently discovered a strong interest in Framer, while building his own website and exploring more advanced design and coding capabilities. Crandall says, “I still have big goals I want to accomplish, I can see where I have to go to be successful in graphic design, and I want to get there. As long as I keep pushing through, I know I can.”
As he looks ahead to growing Prismic Designs beyond graduation, Crandall says the foundation of his work isn’t just technical skill, its character. The values he was raised with continue to shape how he approaches clients, deadlines, and long-term goals. “I was raised to keep pushing forward and working hard and staying honest. My family has always said to make sure your words and your actions match up, so I’m always just trying to stay in communication with clients and to keep pushing through.”
Explore Your Future in Graphic Design
Looking to explore future graphic design opportunities you didn’t know were out there? Check out Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design for our on-campus and online BFAs in Graphic Design that give students the flexibility to develop technical skills and creative confidence wherever they are. Both programs provide you with an opportunity to learn about typography, color, visual storytelling and other visual branding and rebranding services that equip graduates with the tools needed to thrive in a competitive and evolving industry. Request more information or apply today to be a part of our graphic design degree programs.
