Back in 2015, I was hitting up a local networking group called “The NEW Group.” You know the drill—stand up, give your little intro: “Hi, I’m Shawn Phillips, Graphic Designer, and I do…” But here’s the thing—they always tell you to have a “niche,” something sticky that people will actually remember after you sit down.

“Graphic Designer” just wasn’t cutting it. Too bland. Too box-shaped. I needed something that stood out, made people grin, and maybe even raise an eyebrow.

So I started kicking words around, looking for something with a little punch. I wanted a phrase that felt fun, had a good ring to it, and still said what I do in a way that made people think twice.

The word image kept circling in my head—it’s the core of what I do. But what do I actually do with that image? Sure, I can slap it on stuff and make it look good, but it’s deeper than that. I take an idea, shape it, refine it, and get it out into the world so people notice.

That’s when a conversation about pottery popped back into my head. Someone had been talking about the pottery wheel—about sculpting clay into something beautiful and unique. And that’s when it hit me: I don’t just “design”—I sculpt images.

Fast-forward to the next networking meeting. I was one of the first to go, so no pressure, right? I stood up and started with, “Hi, I’m Shawn Phillips, Graphic Desig—” …and then I stopped myself mid-sentence. Big smile. Reset. Deep breath. And Said. . .

The room tilted. Literally. Heads cocked to the side. A few eyebrows shot up. I saw smirks turn into full-on smiles. I had them. I explained: like a potter at the wheel, I sculpt ideas into reality—brands, designs, visuals that actually work.

And then the lightning really struck—the next four people introduced themselves as “sculptors” too. The financial guy? Sculptor of peace of mind. The realtor? Sculptor of the American dream. A couple more jumped on the train.

My first thought? “Whoa, whoa, whoa… did y’all just jack my brand in real time?”

But then it clicked—that was the magic. If people wanted to copy it instantly, it meant it landed. It stuck. It had some teeth. This wasn’t a throwaway line—it was the kind of hook that made people want to play along.

From then on, “Image Sculptor” stuck. It wasn’t just catchy, it worked. It opened doors. A few weeks later, I introduced myself to someone’s son as, “Shawn Phillips, Image Sculptor.” He gave me that same head tilt, grinned, and said, “Image Sculptor?” Exactly the reaction I wanted. Conversation started. Meeting booked. Door opened.

Because here’s the truth: “designer” puts me in a small box. “Image Sculptor” cracks the box wide open. It gets people curious. It gets me in the room. And once I’m in, they see what I really do—take raw ideas, shape them, and turn them into unforgettable brands.

That’s how I became the Image Sculptor. And now, with Caryn—my creative partner-in-crime—we’re sculpting images together here at Studio MSP.