What my clients are saying…

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

It’s always exciting and affirming to hear words of praise from my clients.  This is what two of my recent clients had to say about their experience with me.  Thank you to both of you.  You are wonderful clients and I really enjoyed working with you.

“Allison created a logo for me, designed my business cards and designed and created my brochures for my new business. She did an amazing job. She is so creative and intuitive.  My logo is perfect. She took the time to research a color that represented my specialty area of dementia. She has been very professional and  timely. I am just so pleased and have had many compliments. Thanks Allison for a job well done.”

-Donna Dorans, Positive Dementia Care Services

“You only get one chance to make a first impression, and today that first impression is frequently a website , business card or brochure.  Allison’s creativity, passion for design and customer focus make her the ideal resource for all your marketing materials.  Allison takes the time to really get to know a client.  Where some web designers have a cookie-cutter,  “plug and play” approach,  Allison reflects a client’s individuality through true custom design.   I have had many compliments on the website Allison did for me and would highly recommend her!”

-Susan Kelley, MBA, EA

Client Study: Positive Dementia Care Services

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

A short time ago, I finished up a project with Donna Dorans, the owner of Positive Dementia Care Services.  She very recently started this business, and hopes to help families dealing with a loved one that suffers from dementia.  Donna was a joy to work with, and I know that she will be able to help many people with her unique skills.

Because Donna was just starting out, we decided to begin at the beginning and develop a logo.  The word positive gave me many wonderful ideas.  Here’s a look at some of my original mock ups.

As you can see, at the very beginning I was all about the mathematical and scientific definitions of the word positive.  I liked the way that these looked, but felt like I wasn’t quite there yet.  Donna was looking for a look that was welcoming and comforting, and these concepts were a little too stark.  Back to the drawing board.  This is the result.

At the last second, I had divine inspiration.  I was glancing at the vision board I had created earlier this year, and in big print it says “Sunshine State of Mind”.  What a wonderful visual for positivity- sunshine!  Purple seemed to be the natural choice, as it is the ribbon color for Alzheimer’s awareness.

After the logo was created, we went on to create other brand materials, like this trifold brochure.  The inside features a photograph of Donna and her grandmother, taken by the fabulous Suzanne Larocque of Sleaque Images Photography.

Are you building a new business?  I love working with start ups.  Send me an email, and we’ll get this party started.

Need Design? You’re In the Right Place.

Monday, November 15th, 2010

This week, I was featured as part of the Young Entrepreneur series published by Reminder Publications, a newspaper local to the Western MA area.  Honestly, I’m quite flattered to be called a “guru.”  There was one thing missing from the article though, my contact information.  So if you read the article, felt compelled to Google me- You’re in the right place, you found me!  Now send me a note.

If you haven’t read the article, click here to be taken to the full story.

Turning Creativity on it’s Head.

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

It’s high time we redefined creativity. You don’t need be an artist, a musician, or writer to be creative. We were all born with the capacity to be creative. Let me say this another way. You are creative. And I can hear you saying, “No, I’m not.”

Creativity is all about coming up with new ideas. It’s about seeing, experiencing, and savoring the world around you. It is a way of life.

The Born Creative workshop series will be starting on March 4, 2010.  This 4 week course aims to help people reconnect with their life through creativity and curiousity.  Even for those of you that say you’re not creative.  Especially for those of you that say you’re not creative.

Take a stroll on over to the Born Creative Facebook Fan Page.  Once you’re there, become a fan!  You won’t just get boring old updates about the course (because the course is fun and exciting!), but also fascinating information on how people are using creativity in ways that you never imagined.

Below you’ll find a list of the workshop descriptions, and all the necessary details.  If you know someone in the Western MA area that would be interested in being happier and more effective in their career (isn’t that everyone you know?) then forward on the details!

Schedule

Thursday, March 4 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Overcoming Obstacles to Creativity
In this class we redefine creativity, conquer old stories and beliefs, bust through creative roadblocks, learn to trust our ideas, and grow through play.

Thursday, March 11 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Developing Awareness
Learn valuable techniques to help you become
more mindful in your everyday life, and how paying
attention and being an active learner can increase your joy and creativity.

Thursday, March 18 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Gaining New Perspective
Begin to see different possibilities and points of view. Understand how looking at things from a new angle
can aid in generating new ideas and in building and maintaining relationships.

Thursday, March 25 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Creative Problemsolving
Creativity isn’t just for artists. Pick up new
brainstorming strategies to assist with challenges at
home, and in the workplace.

Pricing

Classes are available in a 4 week package for $100,
and can also be purchased individually for $25*.
All prices include materials.
Please call to reserve your space.
Limited seats are available.

*we recommend the package plan (like people, the classes work better together!)

To sign up for this workshop series, simply send me an email at BornCreativeWorkshops@gmail.com.

Payment will be accepted through Paypal, cash, or check.

Finding Your Business Identity.

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

On Friday, February 18th, I will be participating in a roundtable discussion at the Womens Business Owners Alliance monthly breakfast meeting.  My ten minute workshop is entitled “Finding Your Business Identity.”  As a graphic designer, I have had many potential clients come to me for logo and branding design, but had no idea what message they wanted to send their customers.  I will go over the important questions every business owner should ask themselves before developing their brand, and the most effective ways to express these ideas.

I will be joined with four other experts in this roundtable, each sharing valuable knowledge in their field.  Take a look at the program below.  For more information on attending, visit the WBOA website at www.WBOA.org.

February 18, 2009 – 7:45 – 9:30am
Holiday Inn at Ingleside, Holyoke, MA
$15 in advance, $18 at the door

Susan Kelley: Is It Deductible? A Savvy Businesswoman’s Guide to Tax Planning
· How to set up your business so the IRS treats it as a qualifying business for tax breaks.
· What you need to survive IRS scrutiny of your deductions
· Claiming a home office – red flag or legitimated deduction?
· Why hiring your spouse or child may be a good idea, and how to do it legitimately
· Maximizing tax savings through individual 401ks

Allison Biggs: Finding Your Business Identity
• Learn important questions you should ask yourself before developing your business’s logo and brand
• Find out what you are saying about your business without words
• Gain useful tips on how to convey an effective and professional message

Gena Rotas: Branding… How Will the World Know You
· A brand is a collection of perceptions in the mind of the consumer.
· A brand is an intangible asset
· A brand is defined by your customer
· Advertising influences people’s perception of the products and services offered and thus helps define a brand.

Marie Sheedy: De-Clutter, De-Stress
· What is clutter?
· How does clutter affect your brain?
· What can be done about clutter?
· How can “sweeping” improve your life?

Amy Greenbaum: Integrity and Self Image
· Meaning of inegrity and its general sense
· Having the lack of integrity for ourselves
· The affects of lack of integrity
· Enhancing our own self worth

Client Study: DeBee Honey.

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

I was approached by one of my clients this December with this fun project.  This project was completely unrelated to her business- these labels were to be designed for holiday presents for her friends and family.  My client was going to be whipping up a batch of this fabulous concoction of honey, ghee, and cinnimon (yum!), putting it into jars, and needed something special to seal the deal.

I went with this warm yellow and brown color combination to give people a sense of the flavors they are about to taste- warm caramelly goodness.  Next was the fun part, the bee illustration.  This was a special, and very specific request from my client, right down to the heart shaped leaves.  I was very happy with the way that it turned out, and I have to say, that bee is pretty darned cute.

Most of my clients and potential clients think of graphic design for the usual, logos, business cards, brochures, but there is so much more!  I would love to work on another project like this, it was a blast!

Born Creative Workshop Series.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

I’ve hinted at a new project that I’ve been working on for a few months a few times on this blog.  It’s finally ready to be unveiled, and I am very excited to share it with you!

Beginning in March, for those of you in Western MA, I will be presenting a new workshop series called Born Creative.  I believe that we are all born with a capacity for creativity, and by reconnecting with it, we can live happier and more productive lives.

Below is a description of the series, as well as all the details for any of you that might be interested.

Live a more joyful life. Have fun.
Build better relationships. Be a problem solver.
Become a better job candidate (yes, you heard right!).

Overview

It’s high time we redefined creativity. You don’t need be an artist, a musician, or writer to be creative. We were all born with the capacity to be creative. Let me say this another way. You are creative. And I can hear you saying, “No, I’m not.”

Creativity is all about coming up with new ideas. It’s about seeing, experiencing, and savoring the world around you. It is a way of life.

In this four week workshop series, we will uncover the simple
acts that creatively inclined people do everyday, and learn how to incorporate these acts into our own lives. Each class will include special exercises, projects, discussion, and of course, fun!

You won’t become an artist. You’ll simply change the way you see the world.

Schedule

Thursday, March 4 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Overcoming Obstacles to Creativity
In this class we redefine creativity, conquer old stories and beliefs, bust through creative roadblocks, learn to trust our ideas, and grow through play.

Thursday, March 11 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Developing Awareness
Learn valuable techniques to help you become
more mindful in your everyday life, and how paying
attention and being an active learner can increase your joy and creativity.

Thursday, March 18 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Gaining New Perspective
Begin to see different possibilities and points of view. Understand how looking at things from a new angle
can aid in generating new ideas and in building and maintaining relationships.

Thursday, March 25 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Creative Problemsolving
Creativity isn’t just for artists. Pick up new
brainstorming strategies to assist with challenges at
home, and in the workplace.

Pricing

Classes are available in a 4 week package for $100,
and can also be purchased individually for $25*.
All prices include materials.
Please call to reserve your space.
Limited seats are available.

*we recommend the package plan (like people, the classes work better together!)

To sign up for this workshop series, simply send me an email at BornCreativeWorkshops@gmail.com.

Payment will be accepted through Paypal, cash, or check.

Become our fan on Facebook!

Put On Your Squirrel Pants.

Monday, January 25th, 2010

The event poster for the 2010 HOW Design Conference has been released.  The poster was designed by Denver studio, Idaho Stew.

The HOW Design Conference will be held June 6-9 in Denver, Colorado.  Learn more about the conference at www.howconference.com.

Alt Design Summit 2011, Here I Come.

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Have you ever heard about an event, that sounds so mind-blowingly amazing, you wished you knew about it sooner, so you could actually go?  That’s me with the Alt Design Summit, which is going on now in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Next year, Alt, next year.

Alt is a three day conference on design.  Not just graphic design, but everything design.  There are discussions about what’s new, and why design is important in our world.

The Alt people say this is who should attend the Alt Design Summit:

- People that love talking about design in all its iterations. What it is. How it’s changing. Why it’s important.
- People that read sites like Apartment Therapy/drive German cars/subscribe to magazines from Europe.
- Design or lifestyle bloggers who want to (finally!) meet their fellow design and lifestyle bloggers.
- People from across all the design disciplines: graphic, industrial, fashion, interior, product, textile. Plus illustrators and photographers too.
- Business Owners who make pretty things and want to figure out how to get their products on design sites.
- Advertising Agencies and Marketing firms that want help creating social media campaigns for their design-minded clients.
- Employees who would love to get credit for working while actually hitting the slopes.
- People who create inspiration boards.
- People who look at inspiration boards.
- Star-struck film fans obsessed with the Sundance hype who want to spend a weekend celebrity sighting.

Yes. Yes. Yes, and yes.  Did I mention Sundance?  I am so there.

Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future.

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Today I learned that Daniel Pink, the author of A Whole New Mind, How Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, will be speaking (for free!) at Westfield State College on October 5th.  Color me intrigued.

From the publisher:

“Lawyers. Accountants. Radiologists. Software engineers. That’s what our parents encouraged us to become when we grew up. But Mom and Dad were wrong. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind. The era of “left brain” dominance, and the Information Age that it engendered, are giving way to a new world in which “right brain” qualities — inventiveness, empathy, meaning — predominate. That’s the argument at the center of this provocative and original book, which uses the two sides of our brains as a metaphor for understanding the contours of our times.”

I am looking forward to this- as a creative and a businessperson.  According to the book, I may be living in the best of both worlds.