By Andy Zimmer When I first began writing horror fiction, I assumed fear came from obvious places—monsters, violence, or shocking twists. Over time, through writing short stories and experimenting with tone, pacing, and atmosphere, I discovered something far more important: the stories that stayed with readers were rarely the loud ones. They were quiet, restrained, and unsettling in ways that were difficult to immediately explain. This article draws from my own experience wri

By Andy Zimmer Brand design is more than a logo—it’s a way to communicate identity, values, and purpose visually. It can influence how people perceive a business, a product, or even an individual. But one of the most common questions that comes up is: how much does brand design cost, and why does the price vary so widely? For students, emerging creatives, and professionals exploring branding, understanding pricing can feel complicated. The cost of a brand is influenced by mul

By Andy Zimmer As one year ends and another begins, two symbolic figures frequently appear in Western culture: Father Time and the New Year Baby . Together, they serve as a visual and narrative shorthand for transition, aging, renewal, and the passage of time. While often presented today as lighthearted holiday imagery, both figures have deeper roots in mythology, philosophy, and cultural symbolism that extend well beyond modern celebrations. This article explores where thes

By Andy Zimmer Who says you need a giant studio to make amazing work? A small space can actually supercharge your creativity if it’s set up thoughtfully. Cozy, organized studios can help you focus, stay inspired, and make the most of every inch—whether it’s a tiny apartment corner, a dedicated room you own, or a multi-use rental space. For me, some of my best ideas happen when I’m curled up in blankets , making art somewhere soft—on a couch, a bed, or a cushioned nook. Comfo

By Andy Zimmer Choosing between freelance work and a traditional 9-to-5 can be tricky. Each path has its benefits and challenges, and understanding them can help you make informed decisions for your career, finances, and lifestyle. I actually do both—I have a traditional job and I freelance—so I’ve experienced firsthand how these paths can complement or conflict with each other. This post will break down: What traditional jobs offer How freelancing works The advantages and ch

By Andy Zimmer An online portfolio isn’t just a place to store your work—it’s a strategic, curated presentation of your creative identity. For artists and writers, a strong portfolio quickly communicates skill, style, practice, and intent to visitors, whether those visitors are potential clients, editors, collaborators, or gallery curators. In both educational settings and professional practice, digital portfolios have been shown to improve engagement, self‑reflection, and v

By Andy Zimmer The New Year has long been one of humanity’s most meaningful temporal markers. Across cultures, it represents renewal, reflection, and the hope of continuity. While customs such as feasting, resolutions, and communal gatherings predate modern media, the way New Year’s traditions are experienced and understood has been profoundly shaped by evolving forms of storytelling and communication. This article examines how New Year’s traditions have been mediated over ti

By Andy Zimmer While the winter solstice marks an astronomical turning point, Yule provides a symbolic language through which people have historically interpreted that moment. The symbols associated with Yule, light, evergreens, ritual fires, and cyclical imagery, are not decorative afterthoughts. They function as cultural tools that help communities process darkness, scarcity, and renewal. In contemporary pagan and secular contexts, these symbols continue to evolve, demonstr

By Andy Zimmer The winter solstice, the longest night of the year, has marked a turning point in human calendars for thousands of years. Long before modern holidays, this astronomical event carried deep symbolic meaning, representing survival, renewal, and the gradual return of light. Yuletide, a seasonal tradition rooted in Northern European cultures, emerged from this moment of transition and continues to shape how winter is celebrated today. Understanding Yuletide and the

By Andy Zimmer When people think of Christmas mythology, figures like Santa Claus often come to mind first. However, the stories associated with Christmas and the wider winter season are far older and far more diverse than any single tradition. Long before Christmas became a Christian holiday, cultures across Europe, Asia, and beyond marked the winter solstice and surrounding months with myths that helped explain darkness, scarcity, renewal, and hope. Early Christian leaders

By Andy Zimmer Oral storytelling has long played a central role in winter holiday traditions across cultures. Before widespread literacy and print culture, spoken narratives were one of the primary ways communities preserved history, conveyed values, and strengthened social bonds. The winter season—marked by longer nights, reduced labor, and increased indoor gathering—provided an ideal environment for these practices to flourish. Within this broader seasonal context, Christma

By Andy Zimmer The winter holiday season has long been tied to storytelling. Across cultures, colder months encouraged indoor gathering, shared narratives, and the passing down of values through stories. Books remain one of the most accessible ways families, classrooms, and individual readers participate in that tradition. This guide offers educational, age-appropriate holiday book recommendations for children, young adults, and adults , alongside classic works that continue

By Andy Zimmer Santa Claus is one of the most recognizable figures in modern culture, appearing across movies, television, advertisements, and digital platforms each holiday season. Far from being a static character, Santa has evolved through folklore, literature, and media to reflect changing societal values, commercial interests, and storytelling trends. Understanding his journey in film and commercial media offers insight into how culture, commerce, and creativity intersec

By Andy Zimmer Christmas storytelling did not emerge in isolation. The stories told during the winter holidays—whether about generosity, wonder, or transformation—are part of a long tradition rooted in mythology, folklore, and cultural ritual. Over time, these older narratives have been adapted to reflect changing social values, technologies, and audiences. Today’s Christmas stories, from children’s books to films and oral traditions, continue to draw from mythic structures t

By Andy Zimmer For many children, writing a letter to Santa Claus is one of the earliest experiences they have with intentional writing. It blends imagination with communication, belief with ritual, and storytelling with real-world action. While it often feels timeless, the tradition of writing letters to Santa is a relatively modern practice shaped by literacy, culture, and changing ideas about childhood. Understanding where this tradition comes from reveals how deeply it is

By Andy Zimmer Flash fiction is one of the main ways I explore ideas. Small stories. Focused moments. Emotional snapshots. They are short by design, but not limited in meaning. In my creative practice, flash fiction functions as both a standalone form and a foundation that supports longer writing and visual storytelling. At DesignMommy25 , storytelling takes place across formats. Some ideas are best expressed in a few carefully chosen sentences, while others benefit from more

By Andy Zimmer I believe knowing where we came from, can tell us where we are going, in other words, you can’t create a future without a...