Hi, I’m Lori.
I wrote this page differently on purpose. Most designers show you a portfolio and hope you’re impressed. I’d rather show you how I think — because that’s what you’re actually hiring.
Here’s what I believe:
Most businesses do not struggle because they lack talent. They struggle because they lack clarity, positioning and strategic decision-making.
That is why working with Graphic a la Design starts with conversation before creativity.
Before I design anything, I want to understand your business goals, your audience, your visibility, your competition and where you want your business to go. Strong graphic design and web design should do more than look good. They should help your business communicate clearly, build credibility and support client acquisition.
I do not outsource or create one-size-fits-all design. Every project is built in-office with purpose, accessibility, typography, user experience and marketing psychology behind the decisions. From website builds and SEO to AI search visibility, print materials and marketing strategy, the work is designed to support how your business is found, understood and chosen.
Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000-Hour Rule says mastery is built through deliberate practice. I passed that milestone a long time ago. Thirty-one years of real businesses, real budgets, real pressure and real outcomes have a way of teaching you things no classroom captures. I have never stopped learning, and I bring every one of those years into the work I do for you.
I openly share my advice and recommendations because informed business owners make stronger decisions. I will always explain my thinking, provide options and help you understand how each choice may affect your visibility, positioning and return on investment.
At the end of the day, the final choice always belongs to the business owner or manager. My role is to provide the insight, direction and creative strategy needed to help you make those decisions with confidence.
Over the years, I’ve noticed something consistent about successful entrepreneurs. They are curious. They are resilient. They understand healthy risk. And they know the difference between decisions that cost time versus decisions that buy time.
Usually, they also know their “why.” And when they don’t, I help them get there — because if you cannot clearly define why your business exists, your marketing will not land, no matter how much money you spend.
The flowers in this photo were from my client and friend, Del, at A Thing of Beauty. She arrived one day with this beautiful bouquet as a thank-you, and it meant a lot.
The real reward in business does not always arrive as flowers. Most of the time, it shows up when a client listens, trusts the process, makes a stronger decision and grows because of it.
That is the part I love most — knowing my work made a difference. If that’s the kind of working relationship you’re looking for, you’re in the right place.
Before you move on to another page, I’d like to share a personal story.
If you visit the Graphic a la Design studio, chances are you’ll spot a pineapple or two.
Over the years, the pineapple has quietly become part of both the studio and my approach to business. To me, it represents welcome, conversation, creativity and hospitality — all things I want clients to feel when they work with me.
My love of pineapples started in 1999 during a visit with my great aunt in California. I admired her pineapple chain pendant, and she shared a quote I never forgot:
“Be a Pineapple: Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet on the inside.”
Since then, I’ve collected many things “pineapple,” including this little lamp — a gift from my husband. It reminded him of the idiom, “The light just goes on with creative people,” which, in turn, reminded him of me.
For him, that reflected my approach to graphic design, web design and marketing strategy: intuitive, thoughtful and always looking for the solution behind the challenge.
That same welcome extends to every client conversation. In-office visits are always welcome — coffee, tea, conversation and strategy are always ready. If you are out of town or in a different time zone, Zoom works perfectly too.
Payment is accepted by cash, cheque, e-transfer, direct deposit or wire transfer. Wire transfer fees or other payment costs will be added to all international invoices.
A 50% deposit, or signed Letter of Agreement with Purchase Order number for approved corporate clients, is required before any booking is considered firm. The remaining balance is due upon completion of the project(s). HST will be added to all invoices.
Clients must take into account that cheques, direct deposits and wire transfers take time to clear. Payment must be visible in the Graphic a la Design bank account before the payment is considered deposited.
All retainers, deposits and final payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
Materials prepared by Graphic a la Design are not considered “works for hire” and are not owned by or assignable to the client until all fees and costs have been paid in full.
Upon final payment, clients receive the final approved print and/or digital files for reproduction and approved use. File formats are discussed during final sign-off and are typically supplied as PDF and/or JPG files.
Upon final payment of a logo project, clients receive ownership copyright of the final approved logo design, along with the original native logo files for reproduction at the client’s discretion.
Graphic a la Design retains ownership of all original working files, preliminary concepts, artwork, layouts, strategy, production files, templates and intellectual property rights unless a different agreement has been made in writing prior to the start of the project.
Clients continue to own all text, photos, images and content they provide for use within their website, marketing or design materials.
Graphic a la Design retains the right to display completed work within its portfolio, website and marketing materials unless otherwise agreed upon in writing prior to final payment.
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
Website build dates are confirmed upon receipt of a 50% deposit and are exclusively reserved for your project.
All content must be submitted to Graphic a la Design for approval at least 24 hours before the scheduled design date.
Should delays in providing content disrupt the website completion timeline, your start date may be rescheduled and subject to a $250 charge.
Any graphic design project put on hold or stalled by the client for longer than 7 days are billable and may result in the design, edit and/or completion date being moved to the next available opening.
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
Graphic a la Design uses third-party companies to purchase domains, hosting, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), email and other website-related products and services. Renewal prices are subject to change without notice.
Payment for all website-related renewals must be received on or before the due date listed on the invoice. Failure to renew services in a timely manner may result in loss of the website, domain, hosting, SSL, email and other related products and services.
If the products or services remain within the grace period, recovery fees are as follows:
• $25 per domain
• $149 per website
• $249 per email account
• $75 per SSL
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
All projects include two sets of edits. Additional edits are billed at $75 per hour, with a minimum 30-minute charge. Edits refer to revisions to the approved direction and do not include full redesigns or new concepts.
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
All website builds include two full sets of edits during the build process. After launch, clients on annual hosting plans receive 30 non-accumulating minutes per month of simple text and photo edits, along with stock images during the term of their hosting plan.
Graphic a la Design is not responsible for website speed issues, plugin conflicts, website breaks, missing content, breaches or operational issues caused by client edits, uploads or third-party developers.
Clients using WooCommerce may request a separate user account for approved shop-related edits.
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
Domains, hosting, SSLs and website-related products purchased through Graphic a la Design remain the property of Graphic a la Design until all associated fees and costs have been paid in full.
Website and domain transfers are available and must be paid in advance. Transfer timelines may take up to 10 days to complete and applicable transfer fees and HST will apply.
Builder licences, plugins and certain subscriptions purchased through Graphic a la Design are non-transferable and may need to be repurchased by your new hosting provider.
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
Graphic a la Design builds websites using SEO and AI-search-friendly structure, including sitemap planning, page architecture, keywords and content organization. However, Graphic a la Design cannot guarantee SEO rankings, AI search visibility or website performance outcomes, particularly after client edits or third-party modifications are made following the website reveal.
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
Any AI-generated or AI-assisted materials supplied by the client are the client’s responsibility, including permissions, usage rights, accuracy and copyright considerations.
Graphic a la Design may use AI-assisted tools to support research, brainstorming, editing or workflow efficiencies; however, all final creative direction, customization and approvals remain under the direction of Graphic a la Design.
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
All stock photos supplied by, purchased, downloaded or used by Graphic a la Design remain under the terms of the download licence.
All music purchased, downloaded or used by Graphic a la Design is licensed for single use. Additional uses require separate licensing and registration.
Graphic a la Design will not advertise or publish liquor sales without a valid Ontario Liquor Licence in accordance with Ontario regulations and AGCO requirements.
For complete details, please read our full Terms and Conditions.
