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ESTABLISHED 2004

We are a small studio by design. Ray came by way of Stumptown, where he helped build one of specialty coffee’s defining brands. Kandace brought an anthropologist’s eye for uncovering what makes people tick. For twenty years, we’ve combined those instincts: dig into the research, find the authentic story, then bring it to life.

We’re based in Portland, working with clients from Brooklyn to Dubai. 

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Ray and Kandace of The Double Shot podcast

The digital craftsman

Ray Brigleb has spent twenty years designing for people who make things they care deeply about. Roasters, importers, makers. His own obsession happens to be coffee: he was the first employee at Stumptown Coffee Roasters, helped build that brand from scratch, produced the Unpacking Coffee podcast, and created the tasting app Cuppin. That background taught him to listen before designing and to build for how a business actually works, not just how it looks.

The story architect

Trained in Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics, Kandace Brigleb figures out what makes brands tick. She approaches each project as an ethnographic expedition, asking the questions that reveal what makes you different. A keynote speaker at WooConf and a recognized voice in the e-commerce community, she brings that same clarity to her role as your dedicated Producer. She keeps complex projects moving while ensuring the authentic story stays at the center of every decision.

In their words

Jesse

Jessie Sheeran, Associate Brand ManagerSakéOne

Journal

  1. Sum›One Coffee Brand Featured in Daily Coffee News
  2. Oliver’s Custom Coffee Hits the Airwaves

Over 76 episodes, we sat down with a different coffee roaster each week to talk about their story and their design. It started as a passion project, but it’s also how we’ve built relationships across the industry and sharpened our eye for what makes coffee packaging work. The show is currently on hiatus, but the archive is worth a visit.

Watch the episodes on YouTube

Unpacking Coffee Sprudge Quote png
Ray and Kandace on Unpacking Coffee
Unpacking Coffee Daily Coffee News Quote
Unpacking Coffee Huckleberry Roasters Quote png
Aleco from Red Fox on Unpacking Coffee
Benjamin Paz

When he’s not designing, Ray spins vintage vinyl around Portland. He holds down monthly residencies at Radio Room and Keys Lounge, with occasional sets elsewhere. The site is fun to poke around. He makes a new poster for every show and posts full set lists so you can dig into what he played.

Visit DJ Disarray

An iPad showing the DJ Disarray website, along with other artwork

Journal

  1. Building Small Tools That Live in Basecamp
  2. Why Ableton Is Thriving While Native Instruments Is Falling Apart

We’d love to hear what you’re working on. Whether it’s a rebrand, a new website, packaging, or something you’re not quite sure how to describe yet, let’s start a conversation.

Talk to Needmore

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