what i've done

Been there? Done that? Or perhaps you still haven't made it out the door. Whichever way it goes, there's no excuses left anymore! If you've got an idea, we can make it happen. I concentrate in four main categories of design work, but I'm always interested in other opportunities—crazy schemes welcome!

corporate identity & branding

A local oil change shop, formerly part of a national franchise, decided to withdraw from the chain and operate on an independent basis. The owner, previously a coach and teacher in the local school system, was looking for a logo to represent his shop. We came up with several different versions, then fine-tuned one of them for use. The business card shown is a proposed design. november 2009.

A Monroe homebrewer who bottles his product was interested in creating simple bottle labels and themed tap handles, and from those projects evolved a logo design. The goal was a slightly grunge look for the logo, incorporating the star decor that hangs above his garage door .. the entrance to "Dayton Road Brewing." october 2009.

A photographer just starting her photography business was looking for a clean and contemporary look, while maintaining a professional, stylish appearance. She felt that all four of the designs proposed passed that criteria, but decided the version with her signature added a more personal feel. november 2009.

includes logos, signage, stationery, business cards
why worry about a consistent logo and brand? A good logo has the potential to imprint itself upon your present and future customers' minds. Some base first impressions of a company on a logo and how they present themselves: do they look professional? do they seem to care about their business?

advertising & promotions

A promotional flyer for the annual Moms in Business vendor & craft show in Monroe, Michigan. The goal was to keep it simple enough that it'd easily photocopy and fax, but still look cheery and professional when emailed out or posted online. september 2009.

On an as-needed basis, I design print ads for the Discover Milan News, a local newspaper. Needs of the local businesses vary depending on ad size and placement, and it's my goal to build their ads to meet those needs. august 2009-present

[ project completed as part of a class assignment ] : A series of three promotional flyers, intended to draw interest in a new microbrewery in Milan, Michigan. Presented with a collector's series mentality, the three cards had a common backside but discussed different elements of craft beer on each front. Printed on brown card stock and cut neatly into 6"x6" squares. fall 2008.

includes design of print advertising, flyers, sales inserts
sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words. Good advertising isn't about writing catchy headlines, it's about solving problems and emphasizing the important information. Sometimes, your audience will only glance at your ad or flyer for a couple seconds, and it's up to you to make sure they take away from it what you intended.

collateral & publication design

[ personal project ] The older i get, the longer my christmas card list seems to get. Unfortunately, postage isn't cheap, so I set about brainstorming alternative solutions. This year, my son and I will be mailing holiday postcards; the flip side has a short summary of what we've been up to, with a web address for them to visit if they're interested in learning more about our activities. This way, they can get the same information without us having to pay the extra postage for a 30-page letter. This project could easily be reconfigured for a cost-effective holiday greeting from any small business. november 2009.

A laser-engraving company in Toledo wanted a better way to showcase their company's capabilities to local businesses, reaching a larger audience. The full-color 8-page catalog featured products in four different categories. I was responsible for image editing, overall design and some copywriting. winter 2010.

A local start-up had the dream of publishing a delivery guide for restaurants in the Ann Arbor area. To sell their product, they needed an informative, professional sales guide that would explain their concept to businesses in the food industry, and give them a feel for what this company was going to be all about. The four page brochure included contact information as well as a description of the publication and rates. winter 2010.

includes brochures, newsletters, annual reports, packaging, direct mail
when one page just isn't enough... Maybe you need more than just a flyer to explain your company's benefits to a potential customer; what about a newsletter, a brochure, or a program guide? These options give you a chance to put more detail into what goods or services you can provide and make it a more comprehensive piece.

web design & development

An innovative company that had built online training and testing software needed a Web site that helped potential clients see the value in the cloud. The simple site presents step by step how the system works and encourages a familiar feel. (responsible for design) december 2010.

A microbrewery in Milan, Michigan, needed a Web site to help craft beer fans and locals learn more about their company. As a simple marketing tool, the site captures the feel of the brewpub and offers and updated look at their current beers on tap and food menu, as well as announcing their upcoming events and specials. (responsible for design & development) Visit the live site. launched january 2009.

A Monroe County herbal craft business needed a redesign of their e-Commerce Web site, using the shopping cart license / CMS software purchased at the launch of the original site. Redesign included logo, layout and guidelines on how to update site in future. (responsible for design and development) launched october 2010.

A community theatre group had been using a free site template to advertise their upcoming seasons online ... but it wasn't getting updated, and there were lots of pages but little content. We condensed the important information to one page in a classy design and made it easier for non-technical staff members to update. (responsible for design and development) Visit the live site. launched august 2011.

includes custom site design & development, blog setup, web graphics and ads
why should my company have a web site? Customers are increasingly going online to learn more about where to go out to eat, where to shop, and what to do. If your business isn't online, it may easily lessen the chances of them to choosing your business to patronize. It doesn't have to be complicated, but you'll want to be professional and make sure you've put your best face forward.