Launching Mistaek: Progress Over Perfection

The Early Days of Mistaek: A Blog and an Idea

At the start of this year, I had an idea—I was going to create a simple blog where I shared some insights about design, bits of knowledge I’d gathered, and the mistakes we all inevitably make in creative work. The idea behind Mistaek was honest and relatable: an outlet to share not only the “wins” but the things that didn’t work, the flaws, and the lessons that came out of those missteps. I wanted to dig into the process, warts and all, because that’s where the real learning happens.

I did launch the blog and managed to publish a few articles (though far fewer than I’d hoped to!). I wanted this blog to be a passion project, a place to get back to basics, communicate openly, and, ideally, help others learn from the bumps I encountered along the way. I wanted to share the reality of design work—the trial, the error, the iterative growth. It wasn’t about being perfect; it was about progress.

A Turning Point: Freelancing and Leaving Corporate Behind

Around six months ago, everything started to shift—or rather, everything had to shift. I was recovering from a depression and was stuck in a challenging job (let’s leave it at that), feeling the stress that can come from weird structures and a lack of creative freedom. It was exhausting. It became clear I needed a change or risk falling back into that low place. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to create something of my own, something that better reflected my values and approach. And after enough frustration and reflection (and a little push from my girlfriend), I took the leap—I left that job and threw myself back into freelancing.

Freelancing gave me back a sense of calmness, ownership and clarity—weird because it should be chaotic and a giant mess. Suddenly, I wasn’t just running a blog (we probably shouldn't call it a blog when I've written so little) in my spare time; I was thinking about how this “Mistaek” concept could transform into a real business, a place where I could help others with what I know. That transition wasn’t planned out in advance, but it felt like the right next step.

Working with clients again made me realise that there was a niche I would really like to work with—fields where trial and error are par for the course. There was a place for a brand like Mistaek, a company that didn’t just sell the “perfect final product” but valued the journey, the missteps, the growth process and all its hiccups. I started refining the Mistaek concept, setting up consultations, working on the brand itself, and putting time into a website that would communicate what we’re about, along with a ton of other stuff I wasn't really aware I would need!

Building the Brand: From Blog to Business

Turning Mistaek from a "blog" into a design studio didn’t happen overnight. First, I had to identify what the brand really stood for. Mistaek isn’t about flashy design or chasing trends. Instead, it’s about meaningful, accessible design that respects the user’s experience. I want to create brands that are clear, grounded, and connected to what matters to each client—especially those in health, sustainability, and science, where clarity and accessibility can make a real impact.

Next came the website. I’d always known I wanted Mistaek’s online presence to be simple and honest, reflecting the idea that “perfect” isn’t the goal. So, I kept it straightforward, focused on the essentials, and added clear calls to action to make it easy for people to connect. The result isn’t a “final” version but I'm happy with it and I think it's a strong start—something I’ll keep refining as Mistaek grows.

What Mistaek Can Do for Startups and Forward-Thinking Companies

Once the brand identity started coming together (I'll have some more news regarding this eventually), I turned my focus to the clients I could best support: early-stage tech startups, as well as companies working in health, sustainability, and science. These are fields where brands need more than just good design; they need user-friendly, accessible experiences that communicate complex ideas in ways people can understand.

Mistaek’s approach is all about working collaboratively, embracing each project’s unique needs, and, most importantly, building a brand that can evolve over time. It’s about progress over perfection. We help our clients navigate the complexities of design without getting lost in endless rounds of edits, which allows them to go to market faster and grow from there.

Looking Ahead: A Journey of Growth

Launching Mistaek has been an exciting, unpredictable journey, and there’s a lot more I want to build. As we grow, my aim is to keep the focus on progress, embracing flexibility, and using each step as a learning opportunity. My goal is to provide something valuable not only to clients but also to everyone who comes across our work—a reminder that brands don’t need to be perfect to be impactful.

If you’re a startup or a company that values growth and adaptability, I’d love to connect and talk about how Mistaek can support you on that journey. Together, we can create a brand that evolves with you, flaws and all.

That’s a Wrap!
Thank you for making it to the end of this article. Your thoughts, insights, and discussions are what make this journey so rewarding. I’d love to hear your take—drop a comment, spark a conversation, and let’s keep the adventure going!

Stay Connected:
Explore more of my work and join the creative conversation on Dribbble, Behance, and LinkedIn. You can also visit the website at Mistaek to see what I’m currently working on and to get in touch.

Let’s continue to embrace the beauty of imperfection together!