Brownbag Design began long before it had a name. From an early age, Robert Brown knew he wanted to be a graphic designer. In third grade, he wrote a paper about his dream career, and the rest is history.

In 2008, at just 14 years old, Robert took a family trip to New York City. The bright lights, bold advertising, and energy of the city pulled him in, confirming that he wanted to create impactful visual experiences.

Fast forward to 2016, Robert graduated with his BFA in Graphic Design from the Cleveland Institute of Art. During his time there, he honed his design foundation, took on freelance projects, and developed a passion for data visualization. Wanting to deepen his understanding of the intersection between design and user experience, he pursued further coursework at Kent State University. There, he discovered design research and fell in love with UX design, giving him the perfect blend of creativity and strategy to provide data-driven solutions.

In 2021, Robert joined Signal, a full-service digital marketing agency, as a Digital Designer. His focus was on website design for clients across the United States. He gained invaluable experience in digital strategy, client collaboration, and what it takes to build a strong website, including copywriting, development, and SEO. This reinforced his ability to create digital experiences that not only look great but also perform effectively in a competitive online space.

Then, in the summer of 2024, he was unexpectedly laid off.

Instead of seeing this as an end, Robert saw an opportunity. In 2025, he founded Brownbag Design, a Cleveland-based website design and branding agency committed to crafting innovative, meaningful digital experiences that truly connect.

Built on Values, Designed for Impact

At Brownbag Design, we believe great design goes beyond aesthetics. It should be purposeful, intuitive, and rooted in strategy. Our agency is built on four key Brownbag Design values:

• Transparency – We communicate openly and authentically, fostering trust and ensuring every step of the process is aligned with shared goals.
• Synergy – Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We embrace diverse perspectives and build meaningful partnerships to drive innovation.
• Quality – Every design decision is made with precision and integrity, ensuring high-impact results that add value and authenticity.
• Curiosity – We push creative and technological boundaries, continuously learning to shape the future of digital experiences.

Looking Ahead

Brownbag Design is not just about building websites. We help businesses create connections, tell their story, and stand out through strategic website design and branding. Based in Cleveland, OH, our agency combines website design in Cleveland, graphic design, and SEO to deliver digital experiences that drive results.

With a foundation rooted in passion, expertise, and resilience, we are proud to help businesses across Cleveland and beyond bring their ideas to life online. Our mission is to provide thoughtful, intentional design solutions that not only look great but also help businesses achieve measurable growth.

Our Approach to Website Design and Branding

At Brownbag Design, we take a collaborative and strategy-driven approach to every project. We begin by learning about your business, goals, and audience. From there, we craft tailored solutions that blend creative vision with practical outcomes.

Our website design process focuses on creating clean, intuitive interfaces that drive engagement and conversions. Whether we are designing a brand new site or refreshing an existing one, we ensure every element supports your brand story and business objectives.

In addition to website design, our branding services help businesses build a cohesive and memorable visual identity. From logo design to typography, color palettes, and brand messaging, we help you present a consistent image across all touchpoints.

Our SEO strategies are integrated into every project to help your website perform in search and reach the right audience. We use a combination of on-page optimization, smart content planning, and technical best practices to improve visibility and drive traffic.

Why Work with Brownbag Design

We are a Cleveland-based agency with a passion for helping businesses succeed online. We take pride in our work and value transparency, collaboration, and quality. When you partner with us, you gain a dedicated creative team committed to delivering exceptional results.

Interested in working together? Let’s create something impactful.