Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Harnois.
Hi Andrew, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story begins at Longwood University in Farmville, where I earned my BFA in Graphic Design in 2021. Right after graduating, I dove straight into hands-on work across different corners of the industry. I spent time in corporate packaging and later moved into an agency position, leading creative direction, publication design, and campaign strategy.
Working in packaging taught me technical precision and print mechanics, while agency life showed me how to create strategic designs that transform a brand’s presence. While I loved the work, I eventually realized I wanted to not only design, but also build direct, collaborative partnerships with the local business owners and non-profit agencies I was working with every day. That drive is what led me to found Apex Hue Digital LLC, where I operate as a solo design agency based right in the heart of Virginia, in the Richmond area.
Today, Apex Hue Digital focuses on building comprehensive and recognizable brand identity systems, captivating print and digital collateral, and engaging, user-friendly websites. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with incredible organizations across Virginia that make a real impact in our communities. I’ve designed official tourism marketing collateral and visitor guides for Visit Bath County and Hanover County, built website experiences for the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor, crafted an extensive brand identity and marketing assets for the Virginia-wide Serve Virginia Volunteer Hub, and supported local non-profit initiatives like H.E.A.R.T. Rescue in Roanoke and Hull’s Drive-In in Lexington.
Running a lean, independent shop means I get to wear every hat—from late-night creative sessions, to sitting down directly with clients to map out their visual vision. For me, it’s never about just making something look pretty; it’s about giving local Virginia businesses, tourism boards, and non-profits visual systems that are recognizable, memorable, captivating, and built to last.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge I faced early on in this journey was the shift from purely being a designer to wearing every single hat in the business. When you operate as an independent agency, design is only part of the job. Suddenly, you’re also the project manager, account executive, business administrator, client support lead, and strategist. Finding the balance between doing deep, high-level creative work and managing the administrative side of running a business required building a lot of personal structure and discipline.
Another major hurdle was learning how to establish healthy boundaries to prevent burnout and protect my balance between life and work. When you’re passionate about what you do and deeply invested in your clients’ success, it’s easy to get caught up in the work and forget about the important parts of life–family, friends, and my own personal health. That’s why, as a neurodivergent creative, I’ve had to be very intentional about building systems to protect the balance between helping my clients succeed and living a fulfilling personal life.
At the end of the day though, these struggles have only made the journey of starting a solo design agency infinitely more rewarding. Overcoming those challenges is what has allowed me to build a successful and sustainable practice where I can deliver high-quality work for my clients without sacrificing my own personal well-being.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Apex Hue Digital LLC is an independent, single-member design agency based out of Midlothian, right in the Richmond area, specializing in building comprehensive and recognizable brand identity systems, captivating print and digital collateral, and engaging, user-friendly websites.
What truly sets Apex Hue Digital apart comes down to two things: how I approach the design process and how I partner with my clients.
First, I intentionally operate using a Single Concept Method to prioritize quality over volume. Instead of presenting clients with a handful of half-baked design ideas and forcing them to do the work of steering the creative direction, I dive deep into research and strategy upfront to deliver one intentionally crafted, highly refined visual solution built specifically to solve the challenges they are facing.
Second, my clients have the opportunity to work directly with me through the entire process, from initial discovery to final handoff. There are no account managers relaying messages, no junior designers or AI executing work behind the scenes, and no massive corporate agency bloating a project’s pricing and efficiency. Every project gets the dedicated focus, clear communication, and high-level strategy that Apex Hue Digital is known for.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the tangible impact our work has had for local Virginia communities and non-profits. Whether it’s creating marketing collateral to drive regional tourism for Visit Bath County and Hanover County, crafting the visual identity for statewide volunteer initiatives with Serve Virginia, or preserving Virginia history working with Hull’s Drive-In, I get to use design as a tool to help local businesses and organizations succeed.
For anyone looking to elevate their visual presence—whether you need a full brand system starting from scratch, custom website design, or high-impact marketing collateral—Apex Hue Digital offers flat-rate project pricing and ongoing monthly design retainer support tailored to help make your business recognizable, memorable, and captivating.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
At the heart of Apex Hue Digital is a deep commitment to helping the local businesses, non-profits, and community organizations that make Virginia such a vibrant place to live and work. I genuinely care about the success of the people behind these initiatives, and I view design as far more than just aesthetics. It’s about building clear visual systems, technical accuracy, and strategic brand identities so that local organizations can show up with confidence, communicate their mission effectively, and achieve sustainable long-term growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ApexHueDigital.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ApexHueDigital/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apex-hue-digital/
