Client Spotlight

Malissa Smith

is a creative Director and entrepreneur who runs RARE MEDIUM studio.

Interview Date: 6/9/2025

What are the mediums you create in?

- My mediums run the gamut, it really just depends on the day, my mood, and what projects I have going on at the time! I’m a brand designer, so most of the mediums I work with are visual: illustration, digital design, typography, watercolor painting, oil pastels, colored pencils—you name it. I also really love to dabble in more tactile, hands-on mediums like floral arranging and baking. And I love to curate playlists.

What do you say when people ask you what you do?

- For the longest time, I’ve simply described myself as a brand designer. However, I recently launched my own studio, so I’m starting to try on new titles that are more fitting. It still feels a little foreign to say out loud, but I guess I’d introduce myself as a Creative Director and entrepreneur now! 🙂

What are some words that come to mind when you think about your creative style?

Funnily enough, Melissa and I worked on this exercise together, and she was really instrumental in pushing me to be more specific and pointed with my creative style words. After a few iterations, I’ve landed on 6 that feel exciting, unique, and authentic to me and my work:

  1. Unexpected harmony 

  2. Approachable coolness

  3. Engaging and sensory 

  4. Warm and lively

  5. Playful nuance

  6. Offbeat elegance

What is a piece of advice around creative work that you call to mind often?

- Something that I learned years ago when working at R/GA that has stayed with me is: Done is better than perfect. I have a tendency to create unnecessary swirl for myself, especially during the creative exploration phase of a project (and especially when I’m designing things for my studio!). I come back to these words every time I’m feeling stuck or like I’m getting too caught up in the details; it’s a helpful reminder to zoom out, remember the bigger picture, and keep the work moving forward. 

How long have you been working with Melissa?

- I worked with Melissa in 1:1 coaching for about 6 months total (I also did some group coaching and workshops with her)

What did you come to coaching for?

- Initially, I came to Melissa to help me get unstuck—I felt like a Roomba stuck in a corner and I couldn’t figure out how to get myself turned around or what direction I wanted to head in. Eventually, I gained some much-needed clarity and decided to pursue the path of opening my own studio. 

The bulk of our work together was focused on how to make that vision a reality. We worked together on my internal clarification (understanding who I want to work with and what kind of work I want to do for them), clarifying and strengthening my messaging, and how to put myself out there (through outreach, social media, etc).


What are some ‘wins’ that you would attribute to being supported by Melissa?

- Too many to count! But I think the biggest win is that I finally launched my studio and stepped into a new role as an entrepreneur and small business owner. I had this vision in my head for years, but it wasn’t until I worked with Melissa that I was actually able to bring it to fruition. I probably wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Melissa’s accountability, gentle pushes, and encouragement during our weekly sessions. 


Where can we find you online?:  

- Watch this space! I’m still getting my website and social presence up and running, but there are some exciting things in the works:

Website: https://raremedium.world/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/raremedium.world


Personal Website: https://malissa.nyc/ 

Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/malissasmith_/