CARDMAKING AND BEYOND

Design to me isn’t only work,
it is who I am and what I love to do.

Design is about much more than what you see on a screen, or on a page.

I love the process, the materials, the textures and shapes, and the physical process of creating. I’ve always enjoyed time spent making, and time spent that creating is part of what helps me be at my best in all parts of my life. (Except perhaps sleep… It is hard to be practical about that when in that creative flow state…) Creating is hobby for me as much as it is work.

I’ve made a custom holiday card (in quantity) every year since I’ve been married. Custom invitations for all my girls’ birthdays growing up, as well as birth announcements and all that. I’ve also been an on and off again scrapbooker - telling the story of our family and our experiences + a good reason to play with papers (and so much more) and make use of photos. When I reconnected with a friend from high school days who also did a lot of creating, and was especially into card making I started to learn more about stamping. I also was fortunate enough to go along with her to Creativation, where I discovered there were SO many great companies out there, and I realized how broad the range of possibilities really is in the cardmaking industry.

After that, I started making cards and loving the possibilities of those little projects. sometimes I make a card for a reason - a birthday, etc. - but more often than not it is to try a technique, see what I can do with a new product, and simply for the experience of making.

I’ve enjoyed doing some guest designing for great companies like

  • Simon Says Stamp

  • Concord & 9th

  • Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine

Hello.

I am a graphic designer, with experience developing visual communications for clients large to small.
I’ve worked for very large and very small companies, though most of that time has been spent as a freelancer for other design firms and working directly with clients on my own.

COMMERCIAL GRAPHIC DESIGN

It is all about design…
design that works.

Design can make things visually appealing. Logos, printed work, built things, or digital experiences all can look good because of design. In spite of that, looking good alone does not equal good design… Good design is design that WORKS. Design that communicates as intended. It can inspire, engage, and create connections. It defines and reinforces brands, and helps to establish a voice. It is how people find the information they need and can accomplish a task. It can enhance fundraising or donations, increase sales, or grow a business. It can make peoples’s lives easier, and better.

Creating and developing designs that solve problems, clarify information, communicate… I find that so exciting. I have worked over 20 years as a graphic designer, developing visual communications for clients as an employee at firms large to small, though most of that time has been spent as a freelancer for other design firms and working directly with clients on my own. I’ve done work for Fortune 500 companies, and for small brand-new startup businesses; for manufacturing firms, wineries, religious congregations, hospitals, charitable organizations, and sport. I love learning about all the companies and industries that I do work for… that is one of the perks of this job. I love the challenge of creating design that works for each project.

I have covered a wide range of design projects, including:
• branding, logos, identity
• brochures, magazines, newsletters, and catalogs (print and digital)
• user experience design
• packaging
• advertising for print, online, and even radio
• design for marketing: postcards, flyers, emails
• social media graphics & website design
• presentations: Powerpoint and Keyonte
• event graphics - from print to signs
• signs and wayfinding programs - for identification, placemaking, navigation and orientation, and donor recognition
• wearable graphics - uniforms, t-shirts, socks, etc.