Welcome to my world,

where creativity is key.

Whether I’m designing brand experiences at Nasuni or mastering how to apply AI in my work, my life is a blend of inspiration and innovation.

Meet Ryan Thorp

Senior Creative Specialist & Specialty Coffee Enthusiast

Powered by coffee

Coffee isn’t just my morning ritual; it’s the fuel that kickstarts my creativity. Each cup is a carefully crafted moment of focus, turning caffeine into a source of inspiration and productivity.

An illustration of a coffee machine pouring coffee into a mug.

Driven by sound

Silence isn’t in my vocabulary. From midwestern emo to movie soundtracks, music sets the tone for my day, providing the rhythm that drives my creativity and keeps ideas flowing.

Music CD with a logo of a musical note on the cover.

Championing design

Great design is more than just visuals—it’s strategy, storytelling, and connection. I bring clarity to complex challenges, weaving data and insights into narratives that make ideas come to life.

Illustration of a vintage microphone with a beige and navy color scheme.

Guided by curiosity

Every secondhand bookshop, museum, or café is a treasure trove of ideas waiting to be uncovered. My curiosity keeps me exploring, learning, and discovering new sparks of inspiration wherever I go.

A simple illustration of a closed book with a bookmark ribbon.

Inspired visually

I see stories everywhere—movies, conference slides, advertisements, and beyond. Visuals are my playground, and I love consuming and creating narratives that grab attention and leave a lasting impression.

Simple illustration of a film strip with a play button in the center and four curved lines beneath it.

Camera ready

A picturesque view? A striking design? A dog (or every dog)? You can usually find me with a camera in hand, capturing moments that spark joy or inspiration—especially the ones involving cute pups.

Sunset over the ocean with waves and a rising sun.

A creative journey of empathy, inclusivity, & authentic expression

As a neurodivergent designer, I embrace the limitless potential of creativity and the power of diversity. My work is driven by a deep commitment to understanding, respect, and celebrating unique experiences. I’m passionate about fostering inclusive design environments that amplify marginalized voices and challenge conventional creative norms.

For me, design is more than aesthetics—it’s about building connections, fostering empathy, and creating meaningful experiences where everyone feels seen and valued. Whether collaborating with teams or designing for clients, I prioritize open communication, psychological safety, and supporting diverse ways of thinking and creating. As an ally to LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and disability communities, I am dedicated to making the design industry more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for all.

  • Ryan is an excellent designer and an even better coworker! As part of the Brand/Content team, we collaborate on everything together — from written/print collateral such as ebooks and white papers, to social media/ad graphics, to everything in between. Ryan has an eye for design and has created stunning visuals for HqO, including a significant part of our company rebrand, the HqO website, and our company graphics and visual standards. His style is modern and chic, while also sophisticated enough to portray company messaging in a strategic and compelling manner. Additionally, he can juggle a plethora of different projects at once, even as a one-person design team (including ones on short deadlines). Nevertheless, he still comes into work every day with a positive attitude and an eagerness to help his teammates. He’s beyond proven himself an excellent asset to ANY team, and definitely knows how to foster and lead a brand to success. I would recommend Ryan anywhere, and would gladly work with him again in the future! He has truly made my time at HqO such a pleasant experience, and our Marketing department would not be the same without his guidance and ownership.

    — Kristin Concannon

  • Ryan helped to shape the story I wanted to tell about my product with his honed visualization skills and broad experience in brand strategy. He was always very thoughtful with how he presented ideas and the concepts he developed. The final graphics and structured style guide he created brought the whole story together and gave my brand a consistent look and feel that was ready to be shared on all platforms.

    — Lee Cooper

  • Ryan assisted me with the basics to web design class at Central Connecticut State University. The class sizes were large and he provided an invaluable support system to make sure all of the students were being helped with design issues. His knowledge has continued to grow since I had him as a student and he was able to consistently translate that knowledge to the designers in the class. Ryan has a pleasant demeanor and good deal of patience, which will make him successful in design as well as the field of teaching.

    — Matt Durand

  • I had the pleasure of working with Ryan on a massive rebranding project. Ryan was instrumental in creating new templates for presentations, new business collateral and the updating of several forms and documents. It was due to Ryan’s focus and attention to detail that the project was completed on time and a great success. Thanks again Ryan!

    — Abbie Thibodeaux