Clear Identity is an oasis for clients who are stuck between a freelance designer and a larger studio or agency, with neither being able to provide exactly what you need.

Perhaps you've outgrown your freelance designer, but you just don't need a full service agency. Or maybe you're with an agency now, but you're not getting the personal service you need, or value for what you're spending?

Headed up by Karoline and Sean Cumming, Clear Identity has a reputation for being more than just a graphic design studio. In fact, if you're passionate about your business, and you're invested in growing your brand, we might just be perfect for each other.

how we started

In 2004, Karoline left her position as an award winning Art Director and co-Agency Manager of a small, successful Advertising Agency to pursue her dream of owning her own studio.

The skills she had obtained armed her with the secret to being the graphic designer every client wants: one who truly understands how business works in the real world, not simply in the world of marketing textbooks.

Sean joined Clear Identity in 2008, taking over the role as Client Services Manager. He has 10 years experience in retail marketing and operations management in the national retail sector. In 2005 he made the switch to Advertising Agencies, where he lent his considerable experience managing and advising some of Australia's leading retailers with one of the best Retail Specialist Agencies in the country. For our clients, Sean brings a thorough understanding of real-world branding, advertising and retail experience that they would otherwise never have access to.

By joining forces, Karoline and Sean have been able to bring big business experience to the world of small and medium businesses. Our advertising agency pedigree means we have a foot in both camps - we can offer you much more than your local freelance designer, but our compact size gives you the personal touch you won't find in a larger studio or agency.

Over the years we've worked with scores of businesses from micro, small and medium sized right through to national brands. Our industry experience includes retail, manufacturing, fresh produce and agriculture, health and beauty, finance, business-to-business services, professional services, education and government.

what's our secret?

It's simple really.

We apply commercially-minded graphic design plus clever thinking to each and every project, for each and every client.

You see, good design is not solely about what looks pretty, or what's trendy right now. You have to think about what you're trying to achieve, and who you need to to see your message. The right combination of design, vehicle and tone is what ensures your message is received loud, clear and successfully.

Clear Identity thrives on this philosophy - it's our mantra and applies to everything we do. We think it's the reason our clients love what we do, because we consider carefully the reason behind the project we're working on for them, as an ingrained part of our process. It's strange to us that our way of working is so rare amongst other small studios, yet here we are doing it as naturally as breathing.

discover a little more about us...

Karoline Cumming

Have you ever felt you like you were born to do something? 

My enthusiasm for the creative industry started long before I actually studied it – ever since I was old enough to hold a paintbrush and spill acrylic paint on my high-chair, I've been drawing, painting, pressing, coiling, foiling, stitching, weaving, gluing, rolling and colouring with passion that says "you're born to do this".

I studied hard and excelled in school (although once you get to know me, you'll know I'm rubbish at maths - but that's what calculators are for! How I ever managed to pass both Maths A and B I'll never know!). Initially I pursued languages - I speak rustily fluent Italian - with a view to becoming a translator in Europe.

I worked as a receptionist for a clothing company, where I had the chance to work closely with their Advertising Agency. One day the Creative Director asked me if I'd thought about being a Graphic Designer - after I'd shown them an insanely detailed, hand drawn mockup for a brochure we wanted - and the rest, as they say, is history.

In my spare time I like to (you guessed it) - paint, draw or sketch, and my most recent fetish is textile art and surface design ... it's got to do with fabric, paper and mixed media!

Sean Cumming

Some people naturally possess a practical way of thinking laterally.

They can easily spot the best solution to a problem, or determine the most efficient means to complete something; they can pinpoint the patterns and relationships between numbers and instinctively know whether an idea is feasible and worth pursuing.  It's enough to drive the flighty creative-types nuts, but a god-send to clients who need help navigating the minefield that is marketing their products and services.

Every one says I'm one of these people, and I know it's true... it's my secret weapon.

I love taking an intangible concept and working out the best way to make it real for consumers - something they can relate to, connect with and trust. I thrive on developing 'big ideas' and am passionate about finding the best way to engage an audience - no matter who they are.

Outside of work, when I’m not studying & arguing about everything related to design and advertising, my personal passion is designing & building unique furniture concepts.

sound like a good fit for your business?

Talk to us about how we can work together,  or have a look at our work to see what we love to do.