With a background in brand design and 8+ years of experience across sales, social, photo, video, product design, copywriting, tech and creative direction, Ria brings a sharp, multidimensional approach to every project. She’s worked with award winning agencies and leading brands alike—guiding clients through a process that’s wholistic, collaborative, and strategy obsessed.
Ria built Studio Kind as a way to create on her own terms—and to help others step out of conformity and lead with confidence.
WORK WITH RIA ➜
Ria Johnston
OUR FOUNDER
Founder, creative director & all in thinker. Founder, creative director & all in thinker. Founder, creative director & all in thinker. Founder, creative director & all in thinker. Founder, creative director & all in thinker. Founder, creative director & all in thinker. Founder, creative director & all in thinker. Founder, creative director & all in thinker.
THE STORY BEHIND
I was born in Texas and raised in Mexico. Both my parents and grandparents were entrepreneurs and I always thought I'd follow in their footsteps by building a brand in fashion.
Once I discovered the negative global impact of fast fashion, I was horrified and became set on using my creativity to empower ethical brands that aren't afraid to defy the norm.
THE 90'S
2017
Freelance strategy and web design became my side hustle. I worked in social, photo, video, sales, fashion, and tech all while serving Studio Kind clients on nights and weekends.
The lockdown forced me to make the leap, build a team, and start running Studio Kind full time. Within two years I scaled beyond 6 figures and served clients making well over 9.
2016 - 2020
2020-2022
I burnt out and began a season of exploration. I put SK on the back burner, worked white label for leading agencies, coached creatives, traveled a lot, and dialed in my health.
Renewed and inspired, I'm building again— my agency and my family. Now more than ever, I value quality over quantity —a slow 'n steady pace. So, what's next? Your brand.
2023-2024
2025
Outside
Forever a beach girlie
PREFERRED VACATION
The Office
YOU'LL FIND ME AT
Gracie Binion
#1 ARTIST ON SPOTIFY
Chiang Mai, Thailand
FAVORITE CITY
English & Spanish
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
GET TO KNOW ME
The gym with my Hubby
We build our team
based on your needs
based on your needs
Studio Kind is led by Ria, with a trusted network of collaborators brought in as needed. From developers to copywriters to tech specialists, each partner is carefully selected based on the project’s goals. Our team is small, intentional, and always tailored to the vision we’re building together. No fluff —just the potent talent your brand needs.
JOIN THE TEAM ➜
START A PROJECT ➜
THE SK TEAM
This studio exists to support work that matters, and the people bold enough to lead loud. Our goal: to show up with integrity, every time, in everything we do.
Your brand should last longer than a season—and sound like you instead of whose currently ‘cool’. We build to last and aim to shape trends, not follow them.
Clean, clear, considered. From every pixel to every word, we believe the small things aren’t small at all—they’re what make a brand trustworthy and unforgettable.
PURPOSE DRIVEN SERVICE
TRUTH OVER TRENDS
Excellence in EVERY detail
OUR VALUES
Hand crafting
Crafting
brands with heart
brands with heart
✗ Your offer is just an idea / it isn’t already selling
✗ You want your branding to blend in and play the part
✗ You see branding as a utility, not as an reflection of you
✗ You want a freelance designer, not a strategic consultant
✗ Your offer is just an idea / it isn’t already selling
✗ You want your branding to blend in and play the part
✗ You see branding as a utility, not as an reflection of you
✗ You want a freelance designer, not a strategic consultant
✔ Your vision requires leveraging content / personal branding
✔ You love our work and trust us to lead from start to finish
✔ You want your brand to feel cohesive + aesthetic, head to toe
✔ You value being honest, human, kind, and communicative
✓ You're vision requires leveraging social / personal branding
✓ You love our work and trust us to lead from start to finish
✓ You want your brand to feel cohesive + aesthetic, head to toe
✓ You value being honest, human, kind, and communicative
PROBABLY NOT A GREAT FIT IF:
WE'LL DO GREAT TOGETHER:
WE'LL LOVE COLLABORATING IF:
