Sounds like you might be interested in looking at B Corporation companies. I work for an agency that is a B Corp, most of our work deals with state and government work that focuses exclusively on improving peoples lives wherever our clients can.

Some famous B Corp companies include Ben & Jerry's, Klean Kanteen, Patagonia, and Hootsuite. It definitely helps to read up on the companies impact statements too.

I'd say a good place to start is Design Gigs for Good and also doing general search work to see if there is a B Corp business that is of interest to you, then apply.

I have received one in the past and it was odd since the project was for an actual client of the firm I applied to; and they were going through an active branding process project with them. I told them it was spec work flat out since no compensation was offered for my time. I still proceeded with it, landed the job and then found out the firm was... difficult to work for.

In the past and now working as a freelancer I have seen a simpler questionnaire style test crop up. Where you present the applicants with a website, most of them have not been work the company has done (or they have pointed to other top tier sites) and ask them to provide 3 points of improvement to the website and rationalize why. It speaks to their design methodologies, what they are looking for, and how attentive they are to details. This might be the best approach I've seen besides paying someone for a quick sample project.

This is how I met one of my best recurring clients. Working on some small projects can sometimes yield great lasting partnerships.

Hey Logan, I get the feeling everyone does this sort of handoff differently depending on the client's situation.

Sometimes a text-editable PDF is sufficient for things, sometimes it might involve porting your design over to something the client can use like Microsoft Word or Apple Pages. My advice here would be to make the text-editable PDF the expectation you set with the client, and if they need more fidelity of editing elements, explore options of porting the design to other apps that they might be able to leverage better. Understanding editing expectations first is super critical, and then from there exploring what options are available before even designing is a great way to make sure you're not painted into a corner later.

For more complex things, like website designs, logo and brand designs, anything outside of files they need to reproduce the work with printers or other freelancers I try to discuss at the initial meeting whether or not they'll want the design files later; as I charge different rates for rights-release and not. Regardless of the client's choice, keep backups and make sure you articulate that the backups you keep are for record-keeping and emergency purposes – they should not be thought as a spare backup (as that can get super messy and turn into a time-vampire).

And lastly, if you do release files to the client that are operable art files, label EVERYTHING. It is a small detail that will pay off in spades later, as it will show you're organized; that is actually how I got a repeat client when I started out – because of how I organized my files in plain english.

Actually lastly, does an RxBar, an orange, and some tea count as 'breakfast?'

PSD Repo and Sketch Repo. Sometimes I'll check Graphic Burger too.

I think the first option is more of a natural evolution of your website's brand (from current to what you are proposing). Where as option two is more graphic but seems more spartan and bare compared to the personality you're evolving from. Does this represent a reformation or big change in company culture? I'd love to hear more about the creative exploration and development for each.

Most importantly though; do you feel either of these is a better representation of Space Time than the other?

Exactly. Same reaction here.

And of all things to name-drop, a new bed? The called-out "direction manual".

Totally second Square's free invoicing.

If you have the time to look into a more integrated/turnkey service, something like and.co has been super helpful for me since it aggregates everything you'll need for tax time; not to mention they also have a built-in chat service to discuss questions most of the day.

Being the connective tissue of the team. A leadership role isn't necessarily about determining direction all the time, its about ensuring the team operates as best as it can, and that comes down to cohesion, communication, and craft.

Cohesion in regards to everyone understanding the tasks at hand; and making sure there is an even foundation for the project.

Communication is suuuper key. Regular check-ins on projects and updates are essential to keeping a team focused and working effectively.

Craft, or Polish, would be reviewing and making sure that the work is the best possible form it can be. I feel it circles back from here to checking in; cohesion again, etc.

One of the lead designers I've worked with in the past challenged my thought process and make me explore other options and experiment; any good leader should inspire and encourage their team to try new things and foster discussion. As a senior designer now, I try to encourage new members of the team to experiment, and on some projects have them lead the creative for a project. I think a great team is a super flexible one.

Mostly Chrome, but with the recent release of the new Firefox I'm ping-ponging between the two pretty frequently in the past week. I think Mozilla finally convinced me.