Freelance brand & web designer

I build brands
that feel like themselves.

I am Lena — an independent designer in Cologne. I work with founders and small teams on identities, websites and art direction that are honest, warm and unmistakably theirs.

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  • 8 years independent
  • 40+ brands shipped
  • Replies within a day
  • Based in Cologne Working with clients across Europe, in person and remotely.
  • Brand + web in one One designer from first sketch to launched site — no handoff gaps.
  • Small by choice One project at a time, so yours gets my full attention.
  • Fast to reply A real answer within a day — usually the same afternoon.

What I do

Design that carries your whole story

Three things, done properly — often together, so your brand and your website speak with one voice.

Brand identity

The core of how you look and sound: logo, type, colour and the small details that make it feel considered.

  • Logo & wordmark
  • Colour & type system
  • Brand guidelines
  • Launch assets

Web design

Sites that are lovely to look at and effortless to use — designed and built to be edited by you, not me.

  • Design & build
  • CMS-driven, editable
  • Responsive & fast
  • Copy support

Art direction

The look and feel across everything else — photography, campaigns and the moments that make a brand memorable.

  • Photo & shoot direction
  • Campaign visuals
  • Social templates
  • Pitch & deck design

A little about me

Twelve years of making things look like they mean it

I started out in a Cologne studio designing for big names, and left to do the work I actually loved: helping smaller teams find a look that is truly theirs.

I believe good design is mostly listening — to what you do, who you do it for, and the feeling you want to leave people with. The pretty part comes after, and it is easier once the thinking is right.

When I am not at the desk you will find me with a film camera somewhere, which is probably why I care so much about light, texture and the things that make a brand feel human.

12
Years designing
40+
Brands shipped
1
Project at a time
∞
Cups of coffee

How we will work

A calm, four-step way of working

No mystery, no endless rounds — just a clear path from idea to launch.

  1. 01

    Discover

    We talk properly about your goals, your audience and what makes you different. I listen more than I speak.

  2. 02

    Design

    I explore directions and share a focused concept — not forty options, just the right one, explained.

  3. 03

    Build

    We refine together and I build the real thing: brand assets, or a site you can edit yourself.

  4. 04

    Launch

    We ship it, I hand over everything you need, and I stay around for the settling-in weeks.

Kind words

What clients say afterwards

“Lena somehow designed the brand we could never put into words. People now describe us exactly the way we hoped they would.”
Marie Dubois Founder, Atelier Sud
“Working with one person who does both the brand and the site made everything coherent — and so much calmer than our last agency.”
Jonas Weber Co-founder, Halm Coffee
“Fast, warm, and quietly brilliant. Our new site gets compliments weekly, and I can update it myself without fear.”
Priya Nair Director, Nair Studio

Good to know

Questions before we start

What does a project cost?

Most brand projects start around €4,000 and a brand-plus-website project around €8,000, depending on scope. I always send a fixed quote up front so there are no surprises.

How long does it take?

A brand identity is usually 3–4 weeks; a full brand-and-website project 6–8 weeks. Because I take one project at a time, yours gets a proper, uninterrupted run.

Can I update the website myself?

Yes — that is the whole point. I build on a friendly CMS and hand over a short walkthrough, so you can change text and images whenever you like without needing me.

Do you work remotely?

Always. I am based in Cologne and love meeting in person when we can, but most of my clients are elsewhere and we work happily over calls and email.

Let us talk

Have a project in mind?

Tell me a little about what you are making and where you would like to take it. I reply to every message personally, usually within a day.

studio@lenahartmann.example
Email the studio +49 221 5551180

Köln Studio hours Mon–Thu 10:00–18:00

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