Why Kim

On the home page of this website, you’ll note that I specialize in design for wholistic and eco businesses. I want this niche market because it reflects my own personal and professional interests. I feel it makes a big difference to clients when I speak the same “language”. Although not all my clients have wholistic or eco businesses, we all have created a very personal experience together. Why not work with someone who is passionate and has your best interest at heart.

And besides, it’s not just a website or design, it’s an extension of your business and of yourself. I honour this by creating a sacred space while I work on your project. We can work together throughout the design experience to manifest your intentions and goals!

Kim Has Been Praised For

Here’s a list of things that clients have commented on:

• Communication Skills – no surprises, explanations in layman’s terms
• Graphic Skills
• Conscientious
• Flexible design experience – My clients are often lovely, sensitive folks. Because of this, I encourage clients to share what’s going on for them… you may be surprised what a can unfold in our project together, knowing we can work together to accomodate feelings, schedules, health issues, new insights, and more. I’m assertive in my business, and will let you know when I have boundaries.
• Creating a safe place for clients to share and feel heard and honoured. – I’m quite good at setting my ego aside. It’s also very important to me that clients don’t feel pushed or trapped into moving in a direction they aren’t comfortable with.
• Giving little tips that make things so much easier
• Tutorials – learn to update your own website
• Exceptionally Detailed Estimates – many companies give you merely a $ number, which doesn’t mean anything to those who have limited understanding of web or graphic design. Kim provides very detailed estimates (~ 2 pages) identifying the steps that are involved and the time it will take to complete. Estimates are always set up so you can add-on or take-off according to need and budget.

General Design Process

Many people haven’t done this before. Here’s a general guideline of what’s involved:

• Free initial consultation
• Estimate
• 1/3 Deposit (1/2 deposit upfront on small jobs)
• Design concept formed – Kim lays out the design for a website or print item within a graphics program. Often Draft 1 involves sending you 2 or 3 concepts as a starting point. You decide which concept you prefer and suggest possible changes. Drafts 2, 3, etc. are fine-tuning the design to satisfaction.
• Design template created – if it’s a website, Kim now lays out the design concept into web format. This also includes hosting and domain setup, pages created, SEO, graphics created and edited, etc.
• Content provided by client – clients often write their own content. While you’re waiting for the design, you can compose the text and think about images you may want to include. If you need assistance with this, Kim can refer someone who can easily provide that support.
• Revisions – as the website or design forms, ideas flow and usually slight revisions are required. If new elements are added, Kim will discuss the additional cost and time with you at this point.
• Completion Tutorial – if you would like an overiew of how to use your website, or if we agreed on any other tutorial, we do it now.
• Final payment – payments are made in increments, we agree upon the terms.

How Long Does a Design Take

Please note: Kim has many simultaneous projects on the go, so having work done “right now” isn’t always possible. Here are some notes about this:

• Websites – a 7-10 page website from start to finish, often takes 1 – 2 months. Why? Clients usually start out eager, but it takes time to come up with the design concept, communicating back and forth and modifying, etc. Kim also requires text, images, and other content from clients, which takes time to gather. So the timeline is mutually created.
• Best to give lead time – if work needs to be done within a “tight” timeline, please advise Kim prior.
• Ways to save time – before meeting with Kim, or while you are waiting for a step in the design, here are some ways to save time:
  1. Look for sample websites and designs that you like or like certain elements of. Kim can use these ideas and information for insight into your design style and for inspiration.
  2. What is your intention? Think about the overall impression and the elements you want to include on your website.
  3. Determine the number of pages on your website – this is important in estimating the time and cost. Home, About Us, Contact, etc.
  4. Write the content – Kim can assist you with this, but you know your business best and this saves time and money.

Kim Will Not / Can Not Do

I feel it’s important for you to know my strengths, and to know when I’m not the right woman for the job. I will not and can not do these things:

• Custom programming – I am not a programmer.
• Writing Content – I’m not a terrible writer, but I would just prefer to work on the website creation and design part. I can refer some excellent writers, if you require help with your website content.
• Cheap websites – I only do custom work. Unless you are updating an existing website or, designing a newsletter, in general, websites can cost between $1000-$5000 and up (depending upon your needs)
• Work that isn’t mutually enjoyable – I am willing to let work go if a harmonious working relationship isn’t established or if red flags arise about payment or business practices.

About Kim

I did not begin working as a web and graphic designer. Most of my life has involved working with plants. From age 14, I worked in greenhouses, landscaping, landscape design, etc. and I love learning, and exploring many aspects of plant life. Eventually I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Biology. When I completed university I felt I needed to explore Nature on a deeper, spiritual level. I made a trip to Findhorn and found inspiration in many books. I essentially taught myself to use my intuition and tune into subtle messages. I started to play with “talking” and working with Nature, and eventually started giving occasional workshops on “Intuitive Gardening”. The workshops developed my communication skills and helped me overcome fears and doubts about sharing my ideas in a public way.

So how did I get into design? Several years ago I decided I wanted to be self-employed and I started with garden-related work. But as time went on, I longed to work, play and experiment with Nature just for myself, instead of always for someone else. So I honoured that heart request and started “weeding” out the plant work. I was always very artistic, had a strong intuitive sense of computers and loved learning, so I just started playing with design. Friends and family noticed my work and wanted my design skills for their projects. Now eight years later, I am a full-time web and graphic designer with work attained from referrals alone! I love the creativity in my work, and I love that my clients are in the wholistic and eco fields – it makes my work meaningful.

As a last note, I want to thank two wonderful women who have mentored me along the way – Jean (Anaya) Webb who taught me about being an empowered business woman, and Gwen Randall-Young who taught me about the power of creation, and how fun it truly is.