Our Creative process

My puzzle art often begins with real, lived moments. Each design is rooted in a photograph I’ve captured while exploring local landscapes and cherished destinations. I’ve long been drawn to photography, especially outdoor and nature imagery, and for many years it served purely as a creative outlet, well before it became the foundation of my puzzle work.

I also owe heartfelt thanks to the family and friends who have generously shared their images with me. Most notably, my mother-in-law, Cheryl Stiteler, an extraordinary photographer, provided several of the photographs featured in the Wild West National Parks puzzle. Her work has appeared as postcards in gift and souvenir shops, and her talent continues to inspire my creative process.

From these original photographs, every piece moves through a layered, hands-on artistic journey using licensed design software. In the spirit of transparency, I occasionally use AI as a visual transformation tool to explore creative possibilities, however AI never produces the final artwork. Each design is shaped through careful human refinement and artistic decision-making.

These creations are not produced in minutes, but through countless hours, often days, of experimentation, adjustment, and thoughtful detail work. Every image is deliberately developed until it feels visually balanced, distinctive, and true to my creative vision.

The result is artwork that is bold, timeless, and rich with personality, each piece uniquely original.

This creative process has allowed me to build something deeply personal, a path forward through a challenging chapter of my life, and a way to transform lived experiences into meaningful, tangible art.

- Brittney Carlson (Whimsigo Founder)

Tell Me More...

I’ve always been a maker at heart. No matter the role or industry, I’ve consistently been drawn to creating, whether through design, photography, product development, or storytelling. There’s something incredibly satisfying about turning ideas into something tangible.

That mindset is probably why puzzles resonate with me so deeply. They invite you to slow down, engage your curiosity, and enjoy the process, one piece at a time.

For years, I worked in marketing, helping small and mid-sized businesses build their brands and grow their products. While I valued that experience, I eventually realized I wanted to channel that same energy into something of my own. After a particularly pivotal year, Whimsigo emerged as a natural expression of that desire to create something personal, thoughtful, and enduring.

From the beginning, I wanted the brand to feel timeless and slightly nostalgic: something that would feel just as at home today as it would have years ago. That idea guided both the visual identity and the overall palette.

The logo follows that same philosophy: something classic and lighthearted, with just a hint of whimsy to reflect the spirit of the brand. 

The color scheme formed just as naturally. I chose teal as the prominent color, as it’s a shade I’ve always been drawn to for its calm, timeless feel — exactly the atmosphere I wanted to convey.  Brown and soft beige were chosen to add warmth and a touch of nostalgic, vintage character.

My professional path has taken a few interesting turns. I started out in New York City at MTV Networks, managing digital content for their online and social platforms. While I loved the energy of the city, I eventually felt the pull toward mountain life and relocated to Colorado.

From there, my work centered on digital marketing and creative strategy, spanning agency life and small business start-ups. In my most recent role, I developed growth-focused solutions across ecommerce, wholesale, and product design — a natural stepping stone toward Whimsigo.

My love for design goes back to childhood, when I spent far too much time tinkering with images in Microsoft Paint and realizing how fun it was to transform something visually. That curiosity stayed with me through school (including a memorable high school speech on the topic).

In college, I pursued a degree in multimedia design, which allowed me to explore a range of creative disciplines, including graphic design, video editing, and website development. That foundation laid the groundwork for a career built around design, creativity, and visual storytelling.

Despite my roles spanning a wide range of responsibilities, product design and development has always stood out as one of my favorite passions. Before founding Whimsigo, I collaborated with other artists on novelty sock designs and had the chance to bring some of my own playful concepts to life. In many ways, Whimsigo is a natural extension of that journey and the creative interests that have followed me from the start.

With Whimsigo, I aim to create designs that feel joyful, uplifting, and a little unexpected. Many of the concepts incorporate subtle humor or playful details, reflecting the lighthearted spirit that sits at the heart of the brand. My love for animals is also deeply interwoven into my designs, often appearing as gentle characters or unexpected companions that add warmth, personality, and a sense of charm.

My work is heavily inspired by vintage travel art. I’ve always been drawn to pieces that capture a sense of place while also conveying a feeling — that mix of nostalgia, adventure, and visual storytelling.

I’ve also long been drawn to reflections, fascinated by the unexpected beauty they create. Whether it’s a mirrored landscape, a reflection in sunglasses, or another fleeting surface, I love how reflections can shift perspective and turn familiar scenes into something more magical and unexpected — which is why they’ve become a recurring theme in my work.

With so many puzzle designs and photographic imagery already available, I wanted the artwork to feel distinctive and thoughtfully crafted rather than purely literal. Reinterpreting imagery allows me to emphasize mood, color, and composition in a way that reflects the vintage-inspired style central to Whimsigo.

I do! I recently launched a portfolio site here featuring my photography. It’s a creative practice I’ve always loved and plan to continue developing. Although my main focus is currently Whimsigo, photography is something I enjoy pursuing alongside my design work.

Absolutely, in fact I hope to! As the business expands I’d really love to collaborate with other artists and creatives, expanding the visual stories and perspectives that Whimsigo can offer. If you are interested in collaborating, please reach out to us through our contact form and include a link to your portfolio.

Puzzles with personality

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