When it comes to hiring a graphic designer, mindset matters. A lot. You’re hiring me for a reason!

At Graphic a la Design, I’ve worked with countless clients over the past 30 years—some with wide-open minds, others… not so much. And I’ll tell you right now, the ones who come in ready to collaborate, trust the process and stay focused on strategy—not just style—are the ones who walk away with branding and marketing that actually work.

Here’s the truth: just because you saw something you liked online or on a competitor’s marketing doesn’t mean it’s the gold standard. You don’t know where they got it, whether it’s original or if it’s even working for them. Hey—they might be weeks away from having to increase their business loan or, worse, from shutting down.

Pretty doesn’t pay the bills.

Too often, people come to me stuck in ‘the way an old employer did things’ or ‘how it’s been done for years.’ But let’s break that down—that employer? They were likely copying someone else. And that person? Probably doing the same. It’s like a photocopy of a photocopy—faded, warped and nowhere near as sharp as the original. That approach doesn’t stand the test of time, and more often than not—it holds you back from growing your business the way it deserves.

The reality is: you don’t know what you don’t know. That’s not an insult—it’s just the truth. And the good news? You can lean on someone who does know.

When you work with me, you’re not just buying a design.

Whether we’re creating a custom logo that captures your brand’s energy, strategic marketing, a dream website or an ad campaign that actually converts, you’re getting barrier-free, accessible visuals built with purpose. You’re getting strategy, psychology, visual hierarchy and design thoughtfully laid out to guide the eye and keep people engaged. Everything I create—from logos to websites, sales sheets to social media graphics—is rooted in marketing principles that work. Let’s be honest: a design that doesn’t move people to action is just decoration.

I’ve long passed the “10,000-hour rule”—the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to master a craft. I’ve put in way more than that. From the time I get up to the time I go to bed, I’m in this world. I breathe colour theory, UX flow, SEO structure, digital marketing, typography, photography and more. I’m constantly learning. Because being good today means adapting tomorrow.

I love when clients come in with inspiration. Bring your Pinterest boards, IG screenshots and documents you’ve collected over the years—they help me understand your taste and where your eye is drawn. And that’s just the surface. From there, I take your ideas and shape them into something original, strategic and built to last. Not a copy. Not a trend. Because mimicking what’s already out there doesn’t lead—it follows. And businesses that follow? They blend in and don’t get remembered.

So, keep an open mind. Trust the expertise you’re paying for. Get the value you’ve hired me for. Let me help you grow your business with creative that’s not just attractive—it’s effective.

It may not happen overnight—and sometimes it does—and when it does happen, it’s because the foundation was built right.

Good design is more than good looks. It’s good great strategy. And that’s what keeps businesses in business—and the lime standing out in a sea of lemons—all year long.

Yours in success,
Lori.