Hi, I’m Matthew — I’m a designer and creative, and the person behind RUFF, a project that blends my love of dogs with design, experiments, and whatever else my brain’s into that week. Basically—Rad Stuff for Dog People™

Like a lot of neurodivergent folks, I’ve always had a hard time focusing on one thing. I’m constantly drawn to new ideas, especially when I’m supposed to be finishing something else. But over time I’ve learned that having small, low-pressure projects — things that actually get finished — helps me stay connected to my creativity.

That’s why I started the RUFF and Friends Sticker Club (aka The Good Dog Appreciation Club).

Each month, I design a new dog-themed sticker and mail it out to people who sign up — either through my site or as a paid subscriber on Substack. It’s a way to make one tangible thing each month, try something new, and send it out into the world.

There’s something underrated about getting a surprise in the mail — especially now, when most of what we see and share lives on screens. The sticker club is my small way of pushing back against that. Each one is a physical thing, made with care, stamped and sent out into the world. If it gives someone a reason to smile or pause for a minute, that feels worth it.

From Saving to Sticking

I’ve collected stickers my whole life — but for a long time, I never used them. I worried I’d waste them or stick them in the wrong place. Turns out a lot of people feel that way.

That started to change when I began making my own. I’d test them out on my sketchbooks, my laptop, water bottles, random spots around town. Suddenly they didn’t feel too precious anymore — they felt like part of the process. They reminded me of certain moods or projects. You could say they stuck with me.

Now I have a big box of stickers I’m constantly pulling from and adding to. It’s one of the easiest ways I’ve found to support other creatives, too. You only have so many walls for prints, but there’s always room for a sticker.

Stickers are just a nice way to share something without making it a big deal. That’s probably what I like most about them.

My personal sticker box alongside RUFF stickers and stamps.

Dog Stickers and Rubber Stamps

The club is pretty simple: I design a new dog-themed sticker each month and mail it to people who’ve signed up. That’s it.

Sometimes it’s a single sticker. Sometimes it’s a sheet. Sometimes there’s an extra little surprise — depending on what I’m experimenting with or how things go that month.

I like playing with the details. I use different types of envelopes, rubber stamps, and packaging elements that make each month feel a little different. It’s part of the fun for me — finding ways to make something small feel personal and real.

There’s no big theme or storyline running through the designs. The only rule is that it has to be about dogs. Beyond that, I give myself full permission to try whatever I want.

Process Over Perfection

This whole thing started as an experiment, and it still is. I’m figuring it out as I go.

At one point I bought a sticker sheet printer and was having a lot of fun with it — until I realized the stickers didn’t actually stick well to certain surfaces. There’s a longer story there involving customer service and trial and error, but the short version is: I decided to pause and re-evaluate before sending any more out.

There have been plenty of those moments — when something doesn’t quite work the way I hoped. Sometimes it’s the materials, sometimes it’s the process, sometimes it’s just me trying something new and realizing it needs more time.

One of the most memorable examples: I designed limited-edition holiday ornaments last year, and when they arrived, every single one had a printing error. I was horrified. I rushed to figure out a fix — but by the time I had new ones ready, the holidays had already passed. The funny part? Most people who got them thought the misprint was intentional. It reminded me that people are often more forgiving than I expect — and sometimes even find charm in the imperfections.

Now I’ve got everything prepped and ready for this year’s ornament drop — and I’ve learned a lot in the process.

But that’s part of what keeps it interesting. The club gives me a reason to keep making, even when the outcome isn’t perfect. It’s a chance to learn, experiment, and stay in motion.

Deadlines, ADHD, and Actually Finishing Something

I get overwhelmed easily. I can be excited about ten ideas at once, but struggle to finish even one of them. I’ve learned over time that structure can help — but only the right kind. Too much, and I shut down. Too little, and I drift.

The sticker club hits a weird sweet spot for me. It’s recurring, but not repetitive. There’s a deadline, but it’s flexible. It gives me room to try something new each month without having to reinvent everything.

It also gives me permission to keep things small — to not overthink it, to not turn it into a whole brand rollout, to just… make a sticker. And that’s a big deal for a brain like mine.

A Secret Society for Sticker People

Being part of a club — for whatever reason — has always felt special to me. It brings me back to being a kid. Things like the Burger King Kids Club or the Midnight Society. You didn’t always know what the rules were or how to join, but it made you want to be a part of it.

There’s a place here in Portland called Outlet. It’s part studio, part risograph print shop, part educational space — and just a really inspiring place. When I took their intro to risograph class and got my riso club membership card, it made the whole experience feel even more memorable. That tiny detail stuck with me.

We’re still working on our own club’s cards, but that’s the vibe I want this to have. Low-key but fun. Silly and weird. A little look into my brain. Something you get to be part of — even if it’s just by getting a surprise in your mailbox.

Imagining what a membership card might look like. Mocked up with AI.

Wanna Be in the Club?

If you want to be part of the sticker club, you can sign up as a paid subscriber on Substack, or subscribe directly from our shop. Same club, same stickers — just two ways to join.

Here’s what you get:

I have so many ideas I’d love to bring to life — zines, postcards, comics, prints, activity sheets. If you want to be a part of that, I’d love for you to join in.

Thanks for Being Here

If you made it all the way down here — thanks, it really means a lot. Whether you’re already part of the club, thinking about joining, or just curious about what this whole thing is, I appreciate you being here.

This whole project has been a way for me to stay creative, try new things, and connect with people in a way that feels real. It’s small, it’s scrappy, and I’m excited to keep it going.

Best,
Matthew