Candid,
collaborative
partners.
SINCE 2003
At DesignScout, we build beautiful brands that make a real impact, igniting your business’ culture and confidence. We captivate your customer so that you can make the sale.
Whether you’re looking for a full rebrand or occasional marketing support, our troop offers expert services for companies of all sizes.
Scout driscoll, founder & ceo
“You started DesignScout 21 years ago?” When you start your business at 23, fresh out of college (and full of moxie,) you get that question a lot. But that’s Scout — an expert figure-it-the-heck-outer from the start.
That’s why Scout chose to build a business for founders like her. The ones with a passion to solve a problem. The ones who are willing to give their business their all. They are the ones with skin in the game.
Now 350 clients and decades later, it’s fair to say Scout has figured it out. Her expertise makes her a sought-after speaker, awards judge, and mentor.
Scout is also a proud Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses graduate, Chicago Innovation mentor, and member of the Women Employed Marketing Council.
For frequent musings, perspective, and advice connect with her on LinkedIn.
Our Founder
Recent podcasts
Learn all about marketing for the wine industry in Scout’s own Podcast VINTed
recent appearances
Featured speaker 1871 Scale Up
Paper Specs Live Featured Speaker on September 26, 2024 – Chicago
Juror 2025 Print Awards
The Troop
Since
Scout
Driscoll
2003
Rank: Founder/CEO
Badges:
- Cycling
- Wine
- Mentorship
Since
Scout
Driscoll
2003
Since starting DesignScout 20 years ago, Founder and CEO Scout’s earned all the badges. Whether she’s mentoring her troop, encouraging her clients, forging a path for her agency, or momming, her enthusiasm and earnestness sparks feelings of purpose and possibility all around. Spare time? Sure. Scout loves wine and exploring Paris’ Bastille neighborhood.
Rank: Founder/CEO
Badges:
- Cycling
- Wine
- Mentorship
Since
Erin
Dahl
2013
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Runner
- Halloween Queen
- Trekkie
Since
Erin
Dahl
2013
Around here, Erin is known for thoughtful gift-giving, attentive conversations, and finding beauty in tiny flaws. Making everyone feel seen and infusing a sense of special in the seemingly simple are her superpowers. In her spare time, Erin can be found crafting, birdwatching, and cuddling with her cat, Simon (when he feels like it).
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Runner
- Halloween Queen
- Trekkie
Since
Joi
Pelayo
2018
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Sarcasm
- Amateur Nail Tech
- Piano
Since
Joi
Pelayo
2018
Our native Chicagoan, tech wizard, and natural-born doodler, Joi jumps head-first into any design challenge thrown her way. From illustrations to video animation, she’s up for the task. Out of office, you’ll most likely find Joi visiting family in Japan, at the pool, or curled up on her couch with her Kindle.
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Sarcasm
- Amateur Nail Tech
- Piano
Since
Kristin
Papadantonaki
2024
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Photographer
- Peanut-Butter Obsessed
- Sims Architect
Since
Kristin
Papadantonaki
2024
Born in Greece, polished in Switzerland, and now thriving in Chicago, Kristin supports our designers and jumps in creatively whenever inspiration strikes. When she’s not deciphering Rebecca’s niche American cultural references, she’s adding to her camera collection, catching a live show, or perfecting her spanakopita recipe for our next office Halloween brunch.
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Photographer
- Peanut-Butter Obsessed
- Sims Architect
Since
Amelia
Jee
2008
Rank: Troop Leader
Badges:
- Rockstar
- Home Improvement
- Cooking
Since
Amelia
Jee
2008
For a decade and a half, Amelia has been our True North and fearless Troop Leader. Keeping the troop on task and clients in the know, we’d literally be lost without her. When she’s not on the clock, she is living a rich double life as an (actual) rock star, savvy real estate investor, and accomplished home cook.
Rank: Troop Leader
Badges:
- Rockstar
- Home Improvement
- Cooking
Since
Lauren
Gaynor
2012
Rank: Designer Emeritus
Badges:
- Wannabe Event Stylist
- Iced Coffee Obsessed
- Sparkly Everything
Since
Lauren
Gaynor
2012
Lauren is our Jackie O: Timeless. Elegant. Sophisticated. And a little calculated. Everything she creates has an intended outcome, a greater purpose to wow and win over an audience. It works. Every time. When she’s not dazzling us, you’re most likely to find her training for her next marathon, scouring Target clearance aisles, or exploring the outdoors with her husband and kids.
Rank: Designer Emeritus
Badges:
- Wannabe Event Stylist
- Iced Coffee Obsessed
- Sparkly Everything
Since
Lizzie
Campbell
2022
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Stereotypical Pisces
- Interior Design
- Bookworm
Since
Lizzie
Campbell
2022
Lizzie is a multi-passionate creative, a staunch introvert, and a stereotypical Pisces. When it comes to design, she’s always a sucker for a retro-inspired serif font and a pop of color. In her free time, Lizzie can be found binge-watching ‘90s sci-fi, snuggling with her corgi pup Phoebe, or endlessly rearranging her house to get the perfect Instagram photo.
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Stereotypical Pisces
- Interior Design
- Bookworm
Since
Arugula
Driscoll
2025
Rank: HBIC
Badges:
- Floof
- Influencer
- Bernedoodle
Since
Arugula
Driscoll
2025
Arugula – or Rugi, to her friends – is the newest addition to our troop. A spunky and fluffy Bernedoodle puppy, Rugi loves joining in on Zoom meetings, protecting the studio, and getting turkey bacon every Thursday.
Rank: HBIC
Badges:
- Floof
- Influencer
- Bernedoodle
Since
Amanda
Wurzbach
2008
Rank: Lead Strategist
Badges:
- Julia Child
- State of Maine Enthusiast
- Tomato Gardening
Since
Amanda
Wurzbach
2008
Our dedicated brand therapist strategist, Amanda has the distinct ability to reveal your brand's defining point of view and turn it into powerful, gotta-have-it messaging. A true foodie with impeccable taste in olives, Amanda is the consummate host, a jealousy-inducing chef, and our Chief Ordering Officer for all dining experiences.
Rank: Lead Strategist
Badges:
- Julia Child
- State of Maine Enthusiast
- Tomato Gardening
Since
Rebecca
Molinar
2016
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Airplanes
- Vinyl Collecting
- Flamenco
Since
Rebecca
Molinar
2016
A native Texan with all the requisite pride, Rebecca goes big when it comes to creativity. She earned her MFA from SAIC and works her love of history and nerdery for obscure cultural references into her design work. A multi-instrumentalist turned dancer, Rebecca performs regularly in Chicago, studies WWII military history for fun, and relaxes at the end of the day with episodes of Perry Mason.
Rank: Designer
Badges:
- Airplanes
- Vinyl Collecting
- Flamenco
Since
Dana
Parisi
2018
Rank: Camp Director
Badges:
- Yoga
- Art
- Travel
Since
Dana
Parisi
2018
Dana is a Jill-of-all-trades. As our Camp Director, she’s our organizational touchstone, our weekly yoga class leader, dog mom to our mascot, Rigby, and the fine artist behind our paint-by-number-inspired, floor-to-ceiling studio mural. A new mom and natural extrovert, Dana loves adventures with her family, well-made margaritas, and impromptu dance parties.
Rank: Camp Director
Badges:
- Yoga
- Art
- Travel
We’re good company.
A PROMISE FROM OUR FOUNDER
At DesignScout, we blend your real story with our one-of-a-kind creative perspective. This means evergreen, bespoke branding that builds culture and confidence in your company.
You can trust that you are partnering with a creative firm that shares your values. We are a collective of creatives who value fostering work days worth living (ask about our Rest Ethic), building a more sustainable planet, and making space for increasing diversity in entrepreneurship.
It’s these values that nurture the well-rested, inspired, and motivated team of thinkers who are ready to build your amazing brand. Good companies produce better work. That’s DSAF.
Learn about our charity referral program.
