The Will DeRose Manifesto
I don’t believe in following the blueprint.
I believe in burning it.
I believe in burning it.
I’ve spent over 20 years in branding and design—long enough to know that most of what we call “strategy” is just dressed-up guessing, and most of what we call “design” is just decoration with a deadline.
I’ve worked inside agencies, inside startups, inside chaos. I’ve sat in rooms where million-dollar ideas died because no one wanted to take a risk. I’ve seen good people talk themselves into bad decisions, and bad branding dressed up with pretty fonts.
So I built my own thing.
Love Strange Studio was born from that tension.
The belief that clarity is more powerful than cleverness.
That weird is a strength, not a liability.
That playing it safe is just another way to disappear.
The belief that clarity is more powerful than cleverness.
That weird is a strength, not a liability.
That playing it safe is just another way to disappear.
This blog—Musings—isn’t here to impress.
It’s not for the algorithm or the awards or the “likes.”
It’s not for the algorithm or the awards or the “likes.”
It’s for the builders. The ones still figuring it out.
The ones trying to make work that matters while raising kids, chasing peace, and occasionally forgetting to eat lunch.
The ones trying to make work that matters while raising kids, chasing peace, and occasionally forgetting to eat lunch.
It’s for anyone who’s tired of the noise but still wants to be heard.
Who’s done pretending, done performing, and ready to show up honest—even when it’s messy.
Who’s done pretending, done performing, and ready to show up honest—even when it’s messy.
I’ll talk about branding, yes. Design, yes. But also fatherhood, burnout, stillness, doubt, and trying to build something real in a world obsessed with fake.
I don’t have all the answers.
But I do have questions.
And I think that’s where all the good shit starts.
But I do have questions.
And I think that’s where all the good shit starts.
So if you’re here, welcome.
This space is a little strange. A little scattered. But it’s mine.
And maybe, if it hits right—it’s a little bit yours too.
This space is a little strange. A little scattered. But it’s mine.
And maybe, if it hits right—it’s a little bit yours too.
— Will
