Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Mendenhall.
Hi Ryan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the Northeast, but in 2001 my family and I moved down to Dallas, where I went to school in Rockwall. Even though I have a number of artists in my family, I never really pictured myself going into an art-related career. That changed in my senior year of high school when I took a 3D Animation class — I was hooked from day one.
That interest led me to pursue a BA and later most of an MFA in Video Game Development. While working on my MFA, I landed an internship in graphic design, and that’s where everything clicked for me. I realized how much I loved design and decided to pursue it seriously. From there, I gained experience working for a downtown agency, a university, General Motors, and a number of other companies as a senior graphic designer.
All the while, I was slowly building my own business, Ascendant Design, on the side. What started as a passion project has grown into a full-service studio where I now focus on print and digital design, commissioned art, and marketing and branding services for clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I faced early on was shifting my career focus from video game development to graphic design. Convincing employers to take a chance on me without the traditional background in design wasn’t easy, but it pushed me to work harder and prove my skills through the projects I took on.
When I first launched Ascendant Design, I ran into another hurdle: finding clients and making my business stand out in such a crowded industry. Breaking through that initial noise took persistence, a lot of networking, and delivering consistently high-quality work that spoke for itself.
More recently, one of the challenges facing not only me but the creative community as a whole is the rise of AI in the art and design space. While technology always brings change, it’s an ongoing process to find ways to adapt, highlight the irreplaceable human touch in design, and continue to show clients the unique value that comes from working with a dedicated artist.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My main area of specialization is branding, and it’s the part of my work I’m most passionate about. I love helping new businesses establish a strong identity that reflects who they are, and I also enjoy working with established companies to refresh and modernize their look so they can continue to connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. Seeing the difference that a strong brand can make for a client — whether it’s helping them stand out, attract new customers, or feel proud of their identity — is what I find most rewarding.
Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition for my work, including awards during my time as a Senior Designer for General Motors and in other roles. While those are meaningful milestones, I view them as affirmations of the bigger picture: that consistent quality, creativity, and a client-first mindset make a lasting impact.
What sets me apart is both the breadth of my creative background and my approach to problem-solving. I like exploring new ways to tackle familiar challenges, and I firmly believe there’s always more to learn — both as an artist and as a person. That belief drives me to keep growing and to bring fresh energy into every project I take on.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Honestly, I’ve learned a lot over the years — and I know I’ve still got plenty more to learn. Keeping that mindset, that there’s always room to grow, has been one of the most valuable lessons for me.
Patience has definitely been a big one too. Whether it’s waiting for ideas to click, building trust with clients, or just letting a project come together naturally, I’ve learned that good work usually takes time.
And maybe the most important thing I’ve picked up is that, at the end of the day, the client usually knows best. Not in the sense of picking the perfect color palette or sketching logos over my shoulder — but in knowing their audience. They understand who they’re trying to reach better than anyone, and when I can tap into that perspective, that’s when the best results really happen.
Pricing:
- Negotiable, contract, commission or hourly
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ascendant.design
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ascendantdesign
