A trustworthy and experienced Melbourne graphic and web designer.
I knew I wanted to be a graphic designer from an early age.
There’s just something about a well-designed book, a website that’s easy to navigate, or a clever logo that has always made me smile.
Some days, I can hardly believe that my passion — helping people achieve their business goals through smart and good-looking design — is an actual job. My job!
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Helping you to grow your business with style and substance.
Across the past two decades, clients have enjoyed working with me not only for my creative, clear and concept-driven design work but for my reliability, efficiency, critical-thinking skills and friendly demeanour.
It’s probably why they tell me I’m not like other designers: both my left and right brain come in to play on every project.
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Experience with clients of all sizes, from all sectors.
I have worked with clients across myriad industries, from governments to non-profits, and SMEs to companies of one; and in-house at international publisher Wiley, the Victorian Government, and independent clothing retailer Obus.
Regardless of your size, your goals or the scope of your project, I commit my skills as a clear and authentic communicator to develop highly functional and aesthetically pleasing design outcomes.
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Confidant, collaborator, friend.
My experience and passion for small businesses makes me uniquely positioned to understand the business goals my clients have and the creative design solutions they need. I strive to partner with likeminded people who value considered visual communications and authentic marketing strategies.
As such, I have developed many long-lasting relationships with clients across various stages of their business’ growth.
Maybe we have met before?
Many of the skills and experience I bring to my client projects have been developed throughout my career via my various side projects, including Creative Minds, Creative Women’s Circle and the Soul Traders Podcast.
I’m an Author and publisher, too
Creative Minds is my imprint for publishing books and resources targeted at creatives and small business owners. You can find my books Conversations with Creative Women, Graphic Design Speak, and the award-winning Self-Promotion Without Social Media at bookstores around Australia.
Because I’ve done it all before (half-a-dozen times or more), I love helping fellow self-publishers navigate the publishing process, and offer either design services or knowledge-sharing consults (or both!).
Client testimonials.
“It was a joy to work with Tess on the Side Project Sessions workbook. A highly skilled, organised and efficient designer, Tess was able to take existing branding elements and dive into the brief with gusto — and joyfully extend my own expectations! Tess's attention to detail and communication style was also a huge plus!”
MADELEINE DORE, author & podcaster
“Tess is a master designer. She carefully evaluated my needs and brought my vision to life by creating the most beautiful and professional website for my business. She was open to my feedback and communicated frequently. She also gave me lots of other tips and tricks to add value to my business. My website is so unique; Tess has helped me stand out compared to other websites in my field. If you are looking for someone who is creatively gifted, honest, hardworking and forward thinking; she is the designer for you!”
ADELE JOHNSTON, POSITIVE CHANGE COACH
“Tess recently completed the book design for my Guitar For Kids music learning book. Not only was the end result beautiful and just what I imagined, but her communication and assistance along the way was A-Grade. Tess guided me through all the stages right up to publishing as it was my first book release. I am truly grateful to have found her and I look forward to working with her again!”
jarrah thompson, AUTHOR
Me, elsewhere.
Podcasts & Interviews
Soul Traders Podcast Season 3
My Leap Story at Of Kin
Q&A at The Australian Book Designers Association
Thoughts on self-publishing a book at Readings’ blog
Starting out in publishing on the Side Hustle School podcast
Interview at The Design Files
guest speaking
Creative Mornings
Squarespace Circle Day (ANZ)
One Roof Women in Business Summit
Craft Victoria
Makers In Business Online Symposium
Melbourne University
RMIT University
Artful Business Conference
books
You can buy my books at Creative Minds or via retailers nationally.