Graphic Design for small Business.

Graphic Design That tells a Story.

Meet Logo. Logo is the hero of our story who, with one look, shows they mean business. Logo's side-kick is a matching set of graphic assets called Visual Identity. In addition to making your story more interesting, Visual Identity helps Logo achieve their goal by providing all the gadgets and gear, colours, shapes and visual treatments to help design kick-ass marketing materials.

Then there's Brand. Without Brand, there is no story. Brand is often misunderstood, but you'll soon learn Brand is really the most important one of all.

Your story told with the help of a professionally designed Logo, Visual Identity and great looking marketing materials are what attract new customers to your business. Your Brand is what keeps the good ones coming back.

Graphic Design with a Purpose.

So you want to take your business to the next level. There are tools you can use and DesignStories.ca is here to help. We start by discovering your unique Brand: Who are you? What do you believe in? Why should customers choose you over someone else? A memorable Brand has its own personality, style and voice. An engaging Brand makes a lasting impression and shows your customers what you're all about - beyond your products and services. Your Brand should also be authentic because you can't deliver something you don't have.

Why is all this important? A Brand-designed Logo and Visual Identity not only make you look more professional, they help tell a story about your business and it's values. When your values resonate with your customer's values, loyalty is the result. You see... customer loyalty doesn't come from having the best price or the most exclusive thing, it comes from making them feel good about doing business with you.

"If people believe they share values with a company, they will stay loyal to the brand."
Howard Shultz, former Starbucks CEO

my Story.

Hi, I'm Shelley: graphic designer, brand facilitator, business communicator, unconventional-adventurer and like you, a small business owner. Twenty years ago though, my career track was that of an account executive in the world of advertising. My role consisted of meetings, strategy, budgeting and scheduling. I spent more than a decade climbing the corporate ladder, working alongside many talented graphic designers while in secret, dreaming what it would be like to be one. Then, in 2013, I removed my mask. I went back to school studying graphic design and graduated among the top of my class.

The following years saw me team up with another graphic designer and in 2016 we opened the doors to our own small business in downtown, Cloverdale, BC. The first year was all hustle. Year two, the local business community recognized us as New Business of the Year complete with gala dinner and statuette. Our third year I left, and took off to follow a dream of living aboard a sailing catamaran. With my family, I travelled the entire Florida coastline, through the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and down the leeward Caribbean islands to Grenada. Through ups and downs, into Covid and out the other side. All the while, I continued to work on many graphic design passion projects, each with it's own story to tell.

Now years later, with all my education and experiences combined, I can say for certain that I know these things:

• When you see a small business, someone made a courageous decision.
• Be open to reinventing yourself - there's always a new dream to follow.

• If you love what you do, you'll always do great work.

• Be different - be memorable - be authentic.

• Great graphic design begins with a great story.

I'm back in beautiful British Columbia, Canada where I've traded full-time #BoatLife for part-time #VanLife and I'm grateful for every lesson life has taught me. My guiding principle is this:

"Surround yourself with people whose kindness, values and integrity are a reflection of your own."
Shelley DeWit, Owner-Operator DesignStories.ca

What's Your Story?

Want to see more of my work? A Gallery and Services pages are under construction. Never fear! It won't be long.

In the meantime, why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself and your dreams?

Cheers!

Shelley DeWit

DesignStories.ca, Surrey, BC Canada