Nice to meet you, I’m Chad Langhoff.
Creativity is in my blood and the joy of creating solutions for others is an honor.
Quick introduction:
I’m a husband, father, and faithful follower of Jesus. I feel most at-home in nature, especially enjoying adventures in the woods with my wife and three amazing kids. I love to paint in my free time and volunteer as a photographer for my church. I grew up on a family farm in central Illinois, went to college in Wisconsin where I met my wife, moved to North Carolina in 2014 and currently residing in Lancaster, SC. I’ve been working professionally in the Creative field for nearly 20 years.
Why I love to create:
My mother was an artist. When I was young, I learned how to paint by watching her. I learned how to read with comic books. I’ve always appreciated art and feel most whole when I’m able to express myself visually in some form, whether on canvas or on screen. After getting my degree in Graphic Design and being in the workforce a while, I discovered my other superpower of creative problem-solving allowed logistics to come naturally to me. I feel I’m in my “sweet spot” when I’m helping others develop strategies to tell their stories and meet their goals through providing supporting visual assets.
My heart behind Grove Connection:
Did you know that Aspen Trees grow in a grove? When you look at a group of Aspen Trees, you’re not looking at individual trees growing in close proximity, but “clones” that are nourished by a complex underground root system. Together, they are considered one organism. They are connected. They are deeply rooted. They are stronger, more united and more resilient because of this.
I love this as a picture for my clients. I don’t want someone to look at all the parts of a brand as separate attempts to communicate many messages, but instead to be driven by a clear, deeply-rooted focused purpose, vision and story. Every channel of a brand’s communication (whether through a logo, photo, video, blog post, website, podcast, social media platform, in-person event, etc.) should be communicating the same, consistent underlying message and should look, feel and sound cohesive. It should be beautiful in its clarity, not disjointed in its complexity. It should stand the test of time and speak to its audience powerfully.
THAT is why I love working with clients who have a vision and a story worth telling. It’s a true joy to help develop plans and creative assets to allow their vision to flourish; to come to life, shooting up with success, strength and unity for their audience to see.
My resume:
In 2006, I received my Graphic Design degree from Carthage College. My first job was with my alma mater where I did print design, managed interns, and learned photography. Four years later, I started an amazing job with Snap-on, where I worked for three years creating marketing pieces for Franchisees, corporate event signage, in-house museum displays, NHRA Funny Car design schemes, and numerous other projects. In 2012, I left Snap-on and became a full-time freelancer where I have taken some amazing opportunities designing various projects and shooting photography for several non-profits, corporations, entrepreneurs, small businesses, large-scale events, as well as long-term coverage of Snap-on CEO and Snap-on corporate events of all kinds.
From 2018-2022, I overlapped my freelance business by taking on full-time positions with other companies. As a Graphic Designer and Videographer at The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, I spearheaded the redesign and new video creation of their YouTube content. Later, as a Digital Marketing Manager and Graphic Designer at an embroidery company called Anita Goodesign, I handled the creation of their digital marketing assets and email campaigns, while supporting the marketing team with product photography, print magazine layout and design.
In August of 2022, I left all other full-time companies and went back to pursuing a full-time client load for my own relaunched Creative Consulting company, Grove Connection.
My approach
My creative approach—no matter the project—is to begin with YOUR needs, the “why” behind the project, and how the project aligns with your brand. We’re not fixing surface level one-offs, but getting to the root-level goals and needs so we can grow from there.
Once I completely understand the goals of your project, needs of your target market and overall desired voice, I put together a creative solution timeline with key points and a deadline to make sure we are engaged along the way. Once the timeline is established, I will put together mood boards and/or a creative solution(s) for the project to ensure we're all on the same page, visually. After we are all in agreement with the mood boards and/or solution(s), I create several concepts, revise the project through open communication, and deliver the product after the project is signed off by everyone involved in the project.
My process
Discuss via phone to fully understand your vision and goals.
Develop a timeline to outline the project so that we meet deadlines and expectations.
Design concepts and collaborate on the the project until the desires of the project have been fulfilled.
Deliver the final project on time.