Frequently Asked Questions
""Well done! It all seems to work. Thanks for getting us to this significant milestone in our business. All we need now is customers!!"" HG, Maintenance Assist
Why should you hire a freelance graphic and website design consultant like me?
For small companies and start-up businesses
Many times I have been told 'I don't think I can afford you?'
To which I usually respond with 'Can you afford not to?'
I can help you find ways to save money, as well as generate it!
For larger organisations
Are you still using the same overpriced design or marketing agency?
Perhaps now is good time to consider how you could engage a freelance design consultant to freshen things up, and significantly reduce your marketing, advertising or website spend?
You are an expert at what you do!
Just like you, I am an expert at what I do, and I have 20 years of graphic design and consultancy experience behind me. I can work with you to understand your business and your customers. I will then create marketing material which attracts the attention of and communicates directly with your customers. By taking advantage of my expertise you could not only be generating new business but also saving your company money. Oh, and I always aim to be on-budget and on-time, and I usually am!
Take advantage of me!
Could you use my knowledge and experience in designing your corporate identity, developing your brands and your marketing materials for print, press advertisements, brochures, flyers and business stationery?
Couple this with my extensive graphic design career history in web site design, graphic interfaces, online advertising, email marketing and revenue creation, search engine optimisation and website technologies.
I would like to think I have a lot to offer. But the list would not be complete without mentioning my experience in hand coding websites, process automation, photography, product photography, sourcing photographs and photographers, as well as understanding the need for accessability and usability in design.
Imagine having that kind of knowledge on tap!
A fresh approach
It is usual for business people to be too close to their business to have any real objectivity.
Can you see clearly what you are doing well and what could be improved upon?
As a seasoned design consultant I can bring the benefit of direct, hands-on experience from the hundreds of companies with whom I have worked with over the years.
I am not afraid to ask the questions and speak my mind on how your communications can be improved!
In fact, I was at a meeting with a potential client recently, who sat in silence as I told him his marketing material was highly introverted. As is often the case, it was all about them and how great they were and not what they could actually do for their customers. He thanked me heartily, and told me that no one had ever pointed that out before. They were too close too see it, and I was told their previous agency simply said yes to anything requested of them, asking no questions and not daring to upset their client. Sound familiar?
My approach to design is unique to me, and it gets results. If I can not elevate your company's image, then I have not done my job!
Stand above your competition
Good graphic design will quickly distinguish you from the rest and communicate your message effectively. As people our visual sense is relied upon very heavily. Everyday we filter out hundreds of marketing messages to get to what we want. The right design in the right place will attract the right customers and boost your business. It is my job as a graphic design consultant to see that this happens.
Can I really help your sales and save you money?
Well, I think so! In fact, I am so confident that I can that I am prepared to offer you
2 hours of FREE consultancy to demonstrate how!
To give you an idea: In the last 18 months I have helped Busseys, Main Ford Dealer for Norfolk, move from their external marketing agency to bring their entire marketing operation in-house. This has, of course, reduced their marketing and design costs significantly. But also importantly, not only maintained their creativity and presentation, but improved upon it with fresh new ideas.
This year I created a new corporate identity, web site and business stationery for Norwich based PR consultant Helen Roebuck. The entire project was carefully planned out to meet with a specific budget and deliver on time.
In the last 12 months I have helped Norwich firm RPi Engineering develop their impressive eBay business and created a new corporate identity and web site for their LPG / Autogas business V8dualfuel.com. I have helped to improve the on-the-fly presentation of a constantly rolling stock, and improved efficiency in eBay listings and costs.
Over my career I have worked for many high profile companies and organisations, including The Department of Trade and Industry, Finnair, Hoseasons, Fujitsu and many more. Take a look in to my design background to learn more, and how I have evolved from working with traditional media, airbrush, pen and ink and so forth to working with computers for the last 16 years.
Big or small you need your business to grow, or perhaps even hold firm right now, and you know your marketing and communications must work hard for you.
You know your business and you want to succeed. So do I!
Tight deadlines, short notice?
Do you need your artwork fast, in a hurry?
If you need your design artwork in time for a tight deadline, I might just be able to help. Because I am freelance I don't have to work a rigid nine to five, I am completely flexible on my working hours. So if it's urgent and you need it for the morning or over the weekend, I can usually work unsocial hours to get the job done, on time.
I can help you with Press adverts, Press releases, Marketing eMails and most time sensitive artwork.
Client testimonials
What others say about my work
Don't just take my word for it. See what my clients have to say about the corporate identity, marketing, graphic design, website design and design projects I have completed for them.
I really love my job, but I am only content when my clients are happy.
Design background
20 years of graphic design
I've learned a thing or two about graphic design over the years. Why not take a look at a brief summary of how my career has progressed from a traditional media graphic designer to a graphic design consultant.
Design approach
Passion, hard work, fun and coffee
I will bring a broad, fresh, realistic and honest approach to design which does not rely on set solutions or formulaic approaches.
This is not a pretentious design or marketing consultancy with pin ball tables, sleep pods and all the other bizzarre luxuries that young creatives seem to find necessary. I am a hard working design consultant with a young family, a dart board and a bed which I hardly ever see ;) I drink a lot of coffee and I speak your language.
Design process
Good graphic design is no accident
Successful graphic design solutions come from close collaboration, a mutual respect and thorough preparation. Every graphic design and/or web site design project on which I am engaged is carefully considered and planned to get the results you need.
Business terms
No hidden agenda
A handshake is a contract and I would really prefer not to work under verbose legal none-sense. So I won't. However, 'once bitten, twice shy' - I have to have some form of contract to work with. My terms and conditions are in plain English and they are designed to make it clear where we both stand. Understanding one another leads to a better working relationship.
Contact me
Always happy to help and advise
If you have something in mind why not drop me a line now?
I don't just work in Norwich
I work with clients on graphic design and website design projects all over south east England.
Norwich is where I live, and why not? I work with clients in Norwich and Norfolk of course, but I also work with clients in London, Kent, Suffolk, Essex and Hertfordshire, and more recently in Andalucia, Spain.
Right now I am working on an exciting new project for an Insurance company in Ipswich, Suffolk. It's a complete Marketing project from raw concept to realisation. I can't say too much yet because it would spoil the surprise, but I think it's going to be good.
Some of my clients I see regularly and some I hardly ever see at all, if ever. A lot of my business is conducted over the telephone, by e-mail, instant messaging (MSN and SKYPE) and various digital conferencing methods.
On the whole it works very well and keeps the costs down for everyone, and lower prices means your budget goes further and that means a lot these days!Of course, if you need me to come to you to discuss projects, progress and delivery then that's no problem.
Frequently asked questions
Or perhaps frequently and not so frequently asked questions?
But it's a good format to present some of my graphic and website design experience to those who are interested.
Q.) Do you specialise in a particular market sector?
A.) If I am pushed on the matter I would have to say that I specialise in graphic and website design consultancy for the Finance Sector and the Automotive / Motoring Industry. This is largely because these are the two areas in which I have had the most experience, and work regulary in today. I also have a good deal of experience in the Leisure, Travel and Tourism industry. However, I have had a broad range of experience covering many market sectors. In writing this answer it has prompted me to really think about it...
Finance Sector
I have developed brands, designed numerous corporate identities, designed, built and developed websites, produced promotional material and press advertising for businesses in the finance sector for around ten years. Working with Insurance Brokers, Insurance (Lloyds) Underwriters, Accountants, Market Reports, Financial Data and Claims Management businesses I have helped to develop and present their brand in digital and traditional formats.
Motoring Industry
I have worked for automotive businesses for more than ten years. I have a broad depth of knowledge in designing effective communications and campaigns for new and used car sales. Also for new and used car parts, accessories and motoring services. I have worked with Engine Tuning, Performance, Specialist Car businesses and Vehicle Leasing.
Leisure Industry
I found my way in to this area probably around 12 or 13 years ago when I helped to set-up, what has become, probably the largest and most visited travel, leisure and tourism website directory for Norfolk. Since that time I have worked extensively for many years with Hoseasons (based in Suffolk) and many smaller (SME) leisure businesses. Country Cottages, Holiday Parks, Boating holidays in the UK, France and Germany, Hotels, Guesthouses, Bed and Breakfast and Public houses (Pubs), I have dealt with them all. So you if you have a business in the Leisure, Travel, Holiday or Tourism sector maybe I can help?
Everything else
Like I said, I have worked for a lot of different businesses, in a lot of different market sectors. These are the areas of experience I have in designing and consulting for websites, graphics and/or corporate identity and brand:
Charities and Not For Profit organisations, Airlines, Central Government, Local Government, Freight Businesses, Software Companies, Engineering Firms, Property and Real Estate, Retail Businesses, Modelling Agency, Public Relations, Internet Service Providers, Livery and Equestrian, English Language School, Lithographic (Litho) Printers, Digital Printers, Dog Trainer, Medicine and Pharmacy News, Musical Instruments, Food, Flavourings, Atlantic Rowing, Competitions, Engines, Fabrication and Manufacturing, Chartered Surveyors, Building and Construction. For more detail take a look at my design background
Would like to see what I can do for your business? Tell me what you need and for when you need it and I'll tell you honestly if I can deliver.
Q.) Do you offer design training courses?
A.) Although I do not really publicise this as one of my services, I do on occasion provide training in areas of graphic design and website design.
Most recently I provided a three day training course in design for the staff in the Marketing department at Busseys, (Main Ford Dealer, Norfolk) in Norwich.
I also provide one on one training in graphic design, website design, photography and industry standard software. In the last year or so I have trained two individuals on site with a client as part of a consultancy contract. Additionally, I have also trained three of my own members of staff, at astutech ltd, from absolute beginners with a lot of enthusiasm to become first class website and graphic designers.
If you are interested in discussing what kind of training I could offer you please do contact me with your training requirements, and I will be happy to help if I can.
Q.) How much do you charge for your services?
A.) As a general rule I charge £45 per hour. This rate may vary depending on the type of job, the length, value or urgency of contract.
Would you like a ball park figure for your project? Contact me with your requirements, and I will do my best to give you an idea of price.
Q.) Can you provide artwork at short notice?
A.) Yes, I usually can, depending of course on your project and my current commitments. However, I may charge an additional fee if the deadline for your work is very short notice or over a weekend or holiday period. Well, it's only fair if I have to tell my family we're not going to the park ;)
So if you need a press advert, press release, flyer, brochure, posters, banners, vehicle graphics, or point of sale (POS) material, a mini-website or anything else in a hurry, just ask and I will do my best to help you.
Q.) Can you assist me with an eBay shop?
A.) Yes, an eBay consultancy service
If you have an eBay shop and want to improve it to generate more sales, or perhaps you are thinking of setting up an eBay shop I may be able to help you get it right.
As if you did not already know, eBay is the place to sell your products. You may think your product is not suitable for eBay, maybe your product is too expensive or you think eBay is too downmarket? Well, you may be right, but you may well be surprised at what you can sell on eBay.
Open up a Worldwide market
eBay already has the customers logging on and looking for products, all day every day all over the world.
I can help with you...
Open and set-up and eBay shop
List your products on eBay
Decide what to list on eBay
Photograph products for eBay
Present information for eBay
Use templates and structures your listings
Save money on listing fees
Attract more visitors to your eBay shop
Ensure you get 100% feedback
Low overheads
We all want to reduce our overheads, especially at the moment. A successful eBay shop may help you do that. A retail business will typically trade from a traditional shop with over-inflated rent, and maybe rely on their website for a trickle of additional orders. For the businesses overheads are high. If you could sell only what you sell now on eBay, but not have the overhead of the rent you would be making more profit. But imagine if you could increase your sales as well!
a well managed eBay shop may help you do this.
Sharing in my knowledge will save you lots of time, money and resources.
If you are interested in discussing how I could assist your eBay business please contact me.
Coming soon..
Website template kits
Professional website templates coming soon!
I have dozens of website design templates to choose from. All the design work has been done, so you only need to select a template for your new website and I will add your logo and adjust the colours to suit.
Upon your approval I will add your content in for you. Everything is taken care of: your domain name, hosting, and maintenance contact if required.
I also have a number of templates available for the Wordserver Content Management Sotware (CMS). So, I'll set it all up for you and you can update and manage your own web site. It's easy!
Full details and design templates coming very shortly.
How to design for yourself
Useful design articles coming soon!
How to take better photos
Taking photos for your eBay shop
How to design your own company logo
What colour really means
How to plan and commission your website
How to implement basic SEO
How to design and print an effective flyer
How to build and maintain your own website
How to design your own press ad
