Author: Rochelle Carr

The creative collaboration

This is the sign you've been looking for, written in neon.

Updated June 14, 2026 I have been in this business long enough to have worked with some amazing clients — visionary people who are smart, savvy, decisive, and good communicators. These people understand that hiring a creative is a collaboration, and they make the whole process a pleasure. But if you’ve never worked with a […]

If you want a good logo you have to crack a few eggs

A cracked eggshell with tally marks drawn on the inside, surrounded by small white flowers and bird footprints on a bright green background, illustrating the idea that good results require a process.

Updated June 14, 2026 I have heard that the test of a good chef can be based on how well they can cook an egg. Simple premise, high standards. In the design world, the equivalent test is the ability to create a great logo. It sounds straightforward. It isn’t. If you’ve worked with a professional […]

Which came first – the logo or the marketing?

Illustration showing a cart being pushed by a horse.

Updated June 14, 2026 I have had a number of clients over the years approach me asking for an estimate to create a website or a brochure, or a business card design – and my first question to them is always – “do you have a logo”? It still surprises me when the response is […]

Cheat sheet for a good website

Sad face to smiling face, 5 levels of reviews.

Updated June 14, 2026 As a website designer, I’ve seen my share of poorly developed websites. Enough that it makes me think there should be a cheat sheet with some basics in creating a successful site. It is all important to have a web presence but it’s not enough to just throw something up there […]

Pet peeves in website design

One star out of five is not a good review.

Updated June 14, 2026 Hooooo boy. This list has been a long time coming. I’ve amassed quite a few over the years, but I’ll spare you the minor infractions and just give you the doozies. While there are thousands of fabulous websites out there, there are still plenty struggling with the basics. Ask any web […]

7 essential points to a good logo

Shaka hand gesture illustration with a "Good Vibes" badge on the palm.

Updated June 14, 2026 Most business owners these days recognize the need for a company logo. Your business card, your shop signage, your website, your packaging – all of this is your company branding and good branding starts with a good logo. Many times it’s your first impression and we all know how important that […]

How not to drive your designer around the bend

A small silhouetted figure strains to carry a towering stack of speech bubbles, suggesting the weight of too much feedback and miscommunication in a creative project.

Updated June 14, 2026 If you’ve never worked with a graphic designer before, the process can feel a little mysterious. You know what you want your business to achieve. You have opinions about what looks good. But translating all of that into useful direction for a creative professional — and then knowing how to respond […]

Oh no! Did I hire a bad designer?

Two rows of vintage wooden letterpress blocks arranged to spell "design" — with the overlapping middle letters reading "si si si" — in warm earth tones, suggesting the craft and iterative nature of the design process.

Updated June 14, 2026 You spent time finding the right designer. You filled out the creative brief — all those questions about your company, your audience, your goals, your taste. You paid the deposit. And now you’re looking at the first presentation thinking: is this it? Don’t freak out. First things first It is completely […]

How to choose a graphic designer

Loose sketch of a check list on a clip board.

Are you in the market to hire a graphic designer but are lost as to where to start? If you don’t have connections in the industry this might seem an overwhelming task – but it doesn’t have to be. Hiring a designer is like hiring any other professional. Here are some pointers to help you […]

Are big agencies worth the money?

A black silhouette of a hand parting a pair of gold fringed curtains to reveal the darkness behind, illustrating the idea that what you see at a big agency isn't always what you get.

Updated June 14, 2026 That’s kind of like asking, “Is that Chanel bag worth the money? For those who have the money to spend and care about the status that comes with it — yes, absolutely worth it. But most small business owners have to be more careful about how they spend their marketing budget. […]