graphic design consultant

 

Thanks for visiting.

Inside you'll get some background information about Tortorella Design, an independent graphic design graphic design consultant

 firm located in the Greater Cleveland / Canton, Ohio area, with a focus on small business and nonprofit organizations. The Northeast Ohio location is in easy reach of both Columbus and Pittsburgh.

Take a peek into how I do what I do and get answers to a few typical questions about working with a graphic designer — in particular, me.

A successful project, whether it's a logo, brochure or website, is rarely an individual achievement. It takes great client companies, a firm understanding of my clients' business, goals and marketing environment.

It also takes a group of very talented project partners. The sidebar, at left, focuses on some of the companies and individuals I have had the good fortune to work with on several web and print projects over the years.

Take a gander at my online portfolio and e-mail or call me at 330.305.1554 me about creating a proposal for your next print, identity or website project.

In addition to graphic and web design, I also provide marketing consulting services especially for independent professionals and small businesses. Read more about it by clicking here.

Please take a moment to introduce yourself to me by email. I'm interested in learning what's important to you and your biggest marketing and promotion challenges. Then, I can tailor articles, my blog entries and this site's content to help you meet your goals.

Click here for links to some of my articles for graphic designers, creatives, small business owners and nonprofit organizations.

I'm Scottish. These days I'm based in Scotland. I design pretty cool websites. Which means you likely got here by searching for 'Scottish website designers,' 'website design consultancy,' 'cool websites Scotland' or something similar.

That all you need? Get in touch now. Otherwise, be brave and read on....

So. Why are you here? I mean, I have to be, I work here. As a website designer, much of my time is spent, er, designing websites. Like these, for instance. It's what I do to pay for the stuff I like. (And I've got some really cool stuff. Most people who come to my office say 'wow!' and then try and steal something).

Anyway, where were we? Oh yes, website design, graphics and stuff...

I've been doing this for a long time. Nowadays I think of myself mainly as a web designer. In the last century, I was mainly a graphic designer. Being a designer is great, people give you money for doing stuff graphic design consultant

 you'd want to do anyway. So I've been a designer everywhere I've lived. Aberdeen. London. Glasgow. And currently, Broughty Ferry, the posh bit of Dundee, Scotland.

In the mid-nineties, I started to notice there were other things I could design, like CD-roms and websites. I noticed this because people kept asking me to design CD-roms and websites. Obviously I'm very perceptive.

Actually, being very perceptive makes me good at this, because I can think up loads of ideas and stuff you perhaps hadn't considered.

This means I will sometimes be a right pain in the bum and ask you lots of awkward questions, but I'm doing it to make your website better, so you'll just have to put up with it. I want your site to work just as much as you do.

Some people have the curious idea all you need to design a website is some software. This is wrong. Even if you know what all the buttons do, you need rather more than that to build an effective site.

First, you need some beer. No, forget that, first you need a clear idea of who you're trying to build a website for (hint: it's not you).

Second thing is a clear idea of what you're trying to say. By 'clear' I usually mean concise. Get to the point quickly. Explain benefits, not 'processes' or 'philosophies.' You can tell them that stuff later if it's appropriate, but not if they've already clicked to go elsewhere.

Third, don't trot out the same stuff as everybody else in your market sector. You don't read it on other sites, so why would anyone believe it on yours? The 'look and feel' of your site is important, but so's the language. What you say matters, but how you say it's a 'biggie' as well.

So. If you reckon you've got web design software which can handle those elements for you, then I wish you bon voyage.

Alternatively, if you think I might offer a better approach, have a look at the portfolio pages or read what my clients think of my work.

If you're now quivering with anticipation at the thought of having a Flying Solo website, email, use this form or call me on 01382 731916.

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I live about 100 metres from the River Tay. At this point, it's about two miles wide, very near the sea. It's where I go a lot to realign my braincells. Mostly on foot, sometimes on two wheels (a bike, I've not yet been mounted on castors).

On this side of Broughty Castle (no, really), there's a pebbled beach, graphic design consultant

 on the far side there's a sandy beach. Sand's okay, but I prefer pebbles - they don't get in your keyboard or your sandwiches as much... and they're easier to photograph.