CJL Design - Graphic and Web Design
This project involved designing a tri-fold flyer for The Astor Theatre to promote a series of children’s programs running from summer into winter. The flyer needed to attract both children and parents, so I used a broad colour palette to make it visually engaging.Â
The design featured a ribbon running through the middle of the flyer, effectively dividing each page into two sections. This not only provided consistency across the diverse imagery for each event but also created distinct spaces for the titles, which were uniquely styled with different colours and fonts on each page.
The flyer was designed in Photoshop and completed within a few days. The client was thrilled with the result, and the flyers were so successful that they were reprinted for use beyond the summer, extending into the autumn.
This project involved designing a tri-fold flyer for The Astor Theatre to promote a series of children’s programs running from summer into winter. The flyer needed to attract both children and parents, so I used a broad colour palette to make it visually engaging.Â
The design featured a ribbon running through the middle of the flyer, effectively dividing each page into two sections. This not only provided consistency across the diverse imagery for each event but also created distinct spaces for the titles, which were uniquely styled with different colours and fonts on each page.
The flyer was designed in Photoshop and completed within a few days. The client was thrilled with the result, and the flyers were so successful that they were reprinted for use beyond the summer, extending into the autumn.
The Deal Card project was an exciting collaboration between local businesses and the council, aimed at encouraging both residents and visitors to support independent shops in the area. My role was to create a cohesive design that would not only be functional but also capture the essence of the town of Deal.
This design-for-print project involved producing a plastic card complete with a unique number for each user, as well as a branded card holder for participating shops. The design process was multifaceted, requiring the use of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, along with original photography to ensure the imagery was both authentic and engaging.
One of the key challenges of this project was to create a logo and supporting visuals that accurately reflected the town’s character while being versatile enough for various promotional materials. The success of the project was evident in the production of several thousand Deal Cards, which were eagerly taken up by the community and tourists alike. The project leader expressed their satisfaction, highlighting the quality of the final design and its impact during the launch event.
The actual design work was completed within an 8-hour window, but the overall project took around 2 months due to the coordination required among numerous stakeholders. The positive reception of the Deal Card was a testament to the careful planning and attention to detail that went into its creation.
The Deal Card project was an exciting collaboration between local businesses and the council, aimed at encouraging both residents and visitors to support independent shops in the area. My role was to create a cohesive design that would not only be functional but also capture the essence of the town of Deal.
This design-for-print project involved producing a plastic card complete with a unique number for each user, as well as a branded card holder for participating shops. The design process was multifaceted, requiring the use of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, along with original photography to ensure the imagery was both authentic and engaging.
One of the key challenges of this project was to create a logo and supporting visuals that accurately reflected the town’s character while being versatile enough for various promotional materials. The success of the project was evident in the production of several thousand Deal Cards, which were eagerly taken up by the community and tourists alike. The project leader expressed their satisfaction, highlighting the quality of the final design and its impact during the launch event.
The actual design work was completed within an 8-hour window, but the overall project took around 2 months due to the coordination required among numerous stakeholders. The positive reception of the Deal Card was a testament to the careful planning and attention to detail that went into its creation.
For the My Lasting Words project, the focus was on creating a website that could effectively communicate the quality and variety of services provided, while maintaining a respectful tone appropriate for the sensitive nature of the business. My role involved both web and graphic design, where I not only crafted the visual layout but also refined the brand’s presence online by editing the existing logo, choosing fonts, colors, and layouts that aligned with the company’s values.
The website was built using WordPress, with design elements created in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. I also contributed significantly to the written content on the site, including the main heading, ensuring the messaging was both professional and compassionate.
One of the main challenges was to strike the right balance in tone—selling a product that is deeply connected to significant life events without being overly commercial. The tone we settled on was professional yet celebratory, reflecting the company’s mission to honour lives with dignity.
The website’s launch resulted in a noticeable increase in web enquiries, affirming the effectiveness of the design and content strategy. It has since become a central platform for the business, used to engage potential clients following their initial contact. The entire project was completed within a week, delivering a polished and effective online presence in a short timeframe.
For the My Lasting Words project, the focus was on creating a website that could effectively communicate the quality and variety of services provided, while maintaining a respectful tone appropriate for the sensitive nature of the business. My role involved both web and graphic design, where I not only crafted the visual layout but also refined the brand’s presence online by editing the existing logo, choosing fonts, colors, and layouts that aligned with the company’s values.
The website was built using WordPress, with design elements created in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. I also contributed significantly to the written content on the site, including the main heading, ensuring the messaging was both professional and compassionate.
One of the main challenges was to strike the right balance in tone—selling a product that is deeply connected to significant life events without being overly commercial. The tone we settled on was professional yet celebratory, reflecting the company’s mission to honour lives with dignity.
The website’s launch resulted in a noticeable increase in web enquiries, affirming the effectiveness of the design and content strategy. It has since become a central platform for the business, used to engage potential clients following their initial contact. The entire project was completed within a week, delivering a polished and effective online presence in a short timeframe.
The Wilmshurst Bakery project was a collaboration with Parkers Design and Print, aimed at bringing a traditional bakery into the digital age. After a successful logo redesign by my colleagues at Parkers, the client requested a website that would reflect the bakery’s character while providing a modern online presence.
The website was designed to be inviting, allowing users to easily find opening times, learn about the bakery’s products, and get a feel for its charm. My role was not just building the website, but also involved editing the photos taken by a professional photographer, ensuring the images captured the essence of the bakery’s offerings. I also applied the newly rebranded colour scheme to the website and wrote much of the text, carefully crafting content that was both informative and engaging.
One of the key challenges of this project was to modernize the bakery’s image while maintaining its traditional roots. Additionally, it was important to showcase the bakery’s products without giving the impression that they were available for online ordering, which was not a service the bakery offered.
The client was thrilled with the final result, and the website has stood the test of time, remaining in use for several years. This project successfully blended tradition with modern design, creating an online presence that truly represents Wilmshurst Bakery.
The Wilmshurst Bakery project was a collaboration with Parkers Design and Print, aimed at bringing a traditional bakery into the digital age. After a successful logo redesign by my colleagues at Parkers, the client requested a website that would reflect the bakery’s character while providing a modern online presence.
The website was designed to be inviting, allowing users to easily find opening times, learn about the bakery’s products, and get a feel for its charm. My role was not just building the website, but also involved editing the photos taken by a professional photographer, ensuring the images captured the essence of the bakery’s offerings. I also applied the newly rebranded colour scheme to the website and wrote much of the text, carefully crafting content that was both informative and engaging.
One of the key challenges of this project was to modernize the bakery’s image while maintaining its traditional roots. Additionally, it was important to showcase the bakery’s products without giving the impression that they were available for online ordering, which was not a service the bakery offered.
The client was thrilled with the final result, and the website has stood the test of time, remaining in use for several years. This project successfully blended tradition with modern design, creating an online presence that truly represents Wilmshurst Bakery.
The Care More project was a comprehensive website design and build, carried out in collaboration with Parkers Design and Print. Care More, a company providing in-home care services, needed a modern, professional website that would effectively communicate their services and help users begin their journey as service users.
Starting from scratch, I developed the website in WordPress without the use of any templates, allowing for a completely custom design. Care More had commissioned excellent original photography, which significantly enhanced the visual appeal of the site. I took charge of all the graphic design elements, including background images and photo editing, ensuring that the website had a cohesive and polished look. Additionally, I contributed to writing the website’s text, working alongside Jane Ward at Parkers.
One of the main challenges was to create a website that was both professional and approachable, ensuring that it was accessible to users of all ability levels. The design needed to convey a sense of care and softness due to the sensitive nature of the services provided. The original photography played a key role in achieving this, as it accurately represented the care process. I further enhanced the site’s appeal by using soft gradients, slightly larger text, ample white space, and designing a straightforward user journey through the website.
The client was extremely happy with the final result, and the website served its purpose effectively. Following the success of the website, Care More was eventually sold and merged into a larger care group, a testament to the company’s growth and success.
The Care More project was a comprehensive website design and build, carried out in collaboration with Parkers Design and Print. Care More, a company providing in-home care services, needed a modern, professional website that would effectively communicate their services and help users begin their journey as service users.
Starting from scratch, I developed the website in WordPress without the use of any templates, allowing for a completely custom design. Care More had commissioned excellent original photography, which significantly enhanced the visual appeal of the site. I took charge of all the graphic design elements, including background images and photo editing, ensuring that the website had a cohesive and polished look. Additionally, I contributed to writing the website’s text, working alongside Jane Ward at Parkers.
One of the main challenges was to create a website that was both professional and approachable, ensuring that it was accessible to users of all ability levels. The design needed to convey a sense of care and softness due to the sensitive nature of the services provided. The original photography played a key role in achieving this, as it accurately represented the care process. I further enhanced the site’s appeal by using soft gradients, slightly larger text, ample white space, and designing a straightforward user journey through the website.
The client was extremely happy with the final result, and the website served its purpose effectively. Following the success of the website, Care More was eventually sold and merged into a larger care group, a testament to the company’s growth and success.
The CafĂ© No.35 project was a delightful collaboration between Parkers Design and Print and the cafĂ©’s owner, Anna. The goal was to create a flyer that not only introduced potential customers to the cafĂ© but also deepened the connection with existing patrons by highlighting the café’s unique atmosphere, services, and backstory.
The design of the flyer was highly custom, featuring a tri-fold layout with a half cover—an idea I conceived to make the flyer more engaging and interactive. This design choice allowed the content to be gradually revealed as the flyer was opened, guiding the reader’s eye naturally over the information. The flyer incorporated CafĂ© No.35’s established branding, including their logo, color scheme, and signature watercolour paper background with green leaf elements. High-quality photography provided by the client showcased the café’s interior, courtyard garden, and the delectable food and drinks on offer. These images were arranged in a flexible grid, which complemented the laid-back atmosphere of the cafĂ© while maintaining a clean and orderly presentation.
Content-wise, the flyer included essential information such as opening hours, the cafĂ©’s ability to host functions, and a beautifully written bio of the cafĂ© and its owner, Anna. This bio, written by Anna, perfectly captured the essence of CafĂ© No.35 as a calming oasis where guests can unwind, surrounded by lush greenery and natural light.
The flyer was printed on sturdy paper stock, ensuring it could be displayed upright without issue. We also took care to score the folded edges, ensuring the flyer maintained its integrity and looked polished.
Having worked with Café No.35 on several projects before, including signage, menus, and branding, we had a solid understanding of their aesthetic and needs. This made the design process smooth and enjoyable. Anna was very proactive, providing high-quality content and photos that required minimal tweaking. The final product was met with enthusiasm from Anna, who was delighted with how well the flyer represented her beloved café.
The CafĂ© No.35 project was a delightful collaboration between Parkers Design and Print and the cafĂ©’s owner, Anna. The goal was to create a flyer that not only introduced potential customers to the cafĂ© but also deepened the connection with existing patrons by highlighting the café’s unique atmosphere, services, and backstory.
The design of the flyer was highly custom, featuring a tri-fold layout with a half cover—an idea I conceived to make the flyer more engaging and interactive. This design choice allowed the content to be gradually revealed as the flyer was opened, guiding the reader’s eye naturally over the information. The flyer incorporated CafĂ© No.35’s established branding, including their logo, color scheme, and signature watercolour paper background with green leaf elements. High-quality photography provided by the client showcased the café’s interior, courtyard garden, and the delectable food and drinks on offer. These images were arranged in a flexible grid, which complemented the laid-back atmosphere of the cafĂ© while maintaining a clean and orderly presentation.
Content-wise, the flyer included essential information such as opening hours, the cafĂ©’s ability to host functions, and a beautifully written bio of the cafĂ© and its owner, Anna. This bio, written by Anna, perfectly captured the essence of CafĂ© No.35 as a calming oasis where guests can unwind, surrounded by lush greenery and natural light.
The flyer was printed on sturdy paper stock, ensuring it could be displayed upright without issue. We also took care to score the folded edges, ensuring the flyer maintained its integrity and looked polished.
Having worked with Café No.35 on several projects before, including signage, menus, and branding, we had a solid understanding of their aesthetic and needs. This made the design process smooth and enjoyable. Anna was very proactive, providing high-quality content and photos that required minimal tweaking. The final product was met with enthusiasm from Anna, who was delighted with how well the flyer represented her beloved café.
The Trainsporters project is an ongoing collaboration between Mark, the owner, and Parkers Design and Print, where I’ve been helping to take their Shopify website to the next level. Trainsporters is a niche business that provides containers for hobbyist train collectors, and the website plays a crucial role in their sales and customer engagement.
Over the last year, Mark and I have met weekly to discuss various aspects of the business, from strategy and marketing to user experience and SEO. These regular meetings allow us to make informed tweaks to the website, ensuring that it meets the evolving needs of the business and its customers. A key part of our process involves reviewing site analytics via Google Analytics, which helps us understand user behavior and tailor our approach accordingly.
Working on an e-commerce site like Trainsporters is particularly exciting because success is clearly measurable. Over the last year, we’ve seen almost 20% sales growth and over a 20% increase in the conversion rate, reflecting the positive impact of our continuous improvements.
One of the unique challenges we faced was adapting the website to be more mobile-friendly. As mobile traffic began to surpass desktop, we realised that the homepage, particularly the slideshow, needed to be optimized for smaller screens. The original landscape slideshow was cropping and becoming unreadable on mobile devices, so I suggested a two-column design for desktop with a portrait-oriented slideshow. This approach allowed the slideshow to display at full width on mobile, enhancing usability and accessibility.
Mark has been very pleased with the changes we’ve implemented, and the positive trends in key analytics suggest that the website is on the right track. We continue to work together, meeting regularly to review progress and plan the next steps.
The Trainsporters project is an ongoing collaboration between Mark, the owner, and Parkers Design and Print, where I’ve been helping to take their Shopify website to the next level. Trainsporters is a niche business that provides containers for hobbyist train collectors, and the website plays a crucial role in their sales and customer engagement.
Over the last year, Mark and I have met weekly to discuss various aspects of the business, from strategy and marketing to user experience and SEO. These regular meetings allow us to make informed tweaks to the website, ensuring that it meets the evolving needs of the business and its customers. A key part of our process involves reviewing site analytics via Google Analytics, which helps us understand user behavior and tailor our approach accordingly.
Working on an e-commerce site like Trainsporters is particularly exciting because success is clearly measurable. Over the last year, we’ve seen almost 20% sales growth and over a 20% increase in the conversion rate, reflecting the positive impact of our continuous improvements.
One of the unique challenges we faced was adapting the website to be more mobile-friendly. As mobile traffic began to surpass desktop, we realised that the homepage, particularly the slideshow, needed to be optimized for smaller screens. The original landscape slideshow was cropping and becoming unreadable on mobile devices, so I suggested a two-column design for desktop with a portrait-oriented slideshow. This approach allowed the slideshow to display at full width on mobile, enhancing usability and accessibility.
Mark has been very pleased with the changes we’ve implemented, and the positive trends in key analytics suggest that the website is on the right track. We continue to work together, meeting regularly to review progress and plan the next steps.
Change from a Tenner was a beer blog that I co-created with a friend who was training as a journalist and wanted to gain more writing experience. We both had a passion for exploring different types of beers, especially as craft beers were becoming more popular and accessible. Our aim was to create a blog that was not only informative but also fun, lively, and accessible—quite different from the more serious beer writing that was prevalent at the time.
The website was built using WordPress, which offered us excellent content management features. Posts could be easily organized by date or category, allowing us to highlight the latest content without any additional effort to rearrange the homepage. This structure also provided our readers with the flexibility to explore the blog by specific categories, such as the type of beer or the locations and pubs we visited. The graphics, photo editing, and illustrations that accompanied our posts were created using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
One of the key challenges in this project was to design a blog that was light-hearted and engaging while also being optimized for SEO and social media. We wanted the site to reflect the fun and personal nature of our writing. To achieve this, we chose a color scheme of orange, blue, and white, with shapes and squiggles inspired by the carbonation effect in beers and a retro/early 90s vibe. This playful design was intended to resonate with a younger audience and make the blog stand out.
Through this project, I also learned a lot about SEO and social media optimization for blog articles. We focused on using relevant keywords in the titles and opening paragraphs to match potential search queries and improve click-through rates. For social media, we ensured that the images accompanying our posts were correctly formatted to display well across various platforms and devices, and we prepared text extracts designed to boost engagement.
The end result was a blog that was easy to manage, visually appealing, and enjoyable for our readers. It was a project that successfully combined our passion for beer with a creative approach to writing and design.
Change from a Tenner was a beer blog that I co-created with a friend who was training as a journalist and wanted to gain more writing experience. We both had a passion for exploring different types of beers, especially as craft beers were becoming more popular and accessible. Our aim was to create a blog that was not only informative but also fun, lively, and accessible—quite different from the more serious beer writing that was prevalent at the time.
The website was built using WordPress, which offered us excellent content management features. Posts could be easily organized by date or category, allowing us to highlight the latest content without any additional effort to rearrange the homepage. This structure also provided our readers with the flexibility to explore the blog by specific categories, such as the type of beer or the locations and pubs we visited. The graphics, photo editing, and illustrations that accompanied our posts were created using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
One of the key challenges in this project was to design a blog that was light-hearted and engaging while also being optimized for SEO and social media. We wanted the site to reflect the fun and personal nature of our writing. To achieve this, we chose a colour scheme of orange, blue, and white, with shapes and squiggles inspired by the carbonation effect in beers and a retro/early 90s vibe. This playful design was intended to resonate with the younger end of the beer drinking community, and to make the blog stand out.
Through this project, I also learned a lot about SEO and social media optimization for blog articles. We focused on using relevant keywords in the titles and opening paragraphs to match potential search queries and improve click-through rates. For social media, we ensured that the images accompanying our posts were correctly formatted to display well across various platforms and devices, and we prepared text extracts designed to boost engagement.
The end result was a blog that was easy to manage, visually appealing, and enjoyable for our readers. It was a project that successfully combined our passion for beer with a creative approach to writing and design.
The Ramsgate Society approached Parkers Design and Print to help them create a new website. Their previous website was built on a platform that was no longer supported, wasn’t mobile-friendly, and had become increasingly difficult for both users to navigate and staff to manage. They needed a fresh, functional website that could handle their content more efficiently and present it in a more user-friendly manner.
We chose WordPress as the platform for the new website, which offered a perfect balance of functionality and ease of use. WordPress’s interface makes it simple to create and manage blog posts, allowing content to be easily pasted from other applications like Microsoft Word. Given the Society’s need to organize various types of content, I worked closely with them to create several blog categories, such as News, Reports, Climate, and Documents. This approach allowed us to control where each new post would appear, keeping the website organized and making it easier for users to find the information they needed.
One of the key inspirations for the website design was the BBC News website, particularly in how it categorizes and prioritizes content. For instance, while chronological blog posts are the norm, it was important for the Society to highlight certain posts that were more significant. To address this, I implemented a “Featured” category that allowed the team to pin important posts to a prominent spot on the homepage, ensuring they wouldn’t be overshadowed by newer but less critical content.
The project also involved some unique challenges, particularly in working with a client who had minimal web experience but would be responsible for managing the website moving forward. This required not only training but also managing expectations. While some of the client’s design preferences differed from my recommendations, I ensured their vision was realized wherever possible. However, I also had to strongly advise against a few ideas that would have negatively impacted the user experience.
In the end, the Ramsgate Society was provided with a website that met their needs—easy to manage, organized, and user-friendly—while also featuring a modern design that effectively showcases their content.
The Ramsgate Society approached Parkers Design and Print to help them create a new website. Their previous website was built on a platform that was no longer supported, wasn’t mobile-friendly, and had become increasingly difficult for both users to navigate and staff to manage. They needed a fresh, functional website that could handle their content more efficiently and present it in a more user-friendly manner.
We chose WordPress as the platform for the new website, which offered a perfect balance of functionality and ease of use. WordPress’s interface makes it simple to create and manage blog posts, allowing content to be easily pasted from other applications like Microsoft Word. Given the Society’s need to organize various types of content, I worked closely with them to create several blog categories, such as News, Reports, Climate, and Documents. This approach allowed us to control where each new post would appear, keeping the website organized and making it easier for users to find the information they needed.
One of the key inspirations for the website design was the BBC News website, particularly in how it categorizes and prioritizes content. For instance, while chronological blog posts are the norm, it was important for the Society to highlight certain posts that were more significant. To address this, I implemented a “Featured” category that allowed the team to pin important posts to a prominent spot on the homepage, ensuring they wouldn’t be overshadowed by newer but less critical content.
The project also involved some unique challenges, particularly in working with a client who had minimal web experience but would be responsible for managing the website moving forward. This required not only training but also managing expectations. While some of the client’s design preferences differed from my recommendations, I ensured their vision was realized wherever possible. However, I also had to strongly advise against a few ideas that would have negatively impacted the user experience.
In the end, the Ramsgate Society was provided with a website that met their needs—easy to manage, organized, and user-friendly—while also featuring a modern design that effectively showcases their content.
Ted DiBiase and the Million Dollar Punk Band was a unique and exciting project that allowed for a great deal of creative expression. The band, formed by some friends of mine, took a tongue-in-cheek approach to punk music by embracing an “anti-punk” ethos. Their music was authentically punk in style, but the lyrics celebrated wealth, exploited their own children, praised right-wing politics, and generally subverted traditional punk values. This ironic characterization provided a rich playground for creative design.
The first task was to create a logo that would set the tone for the band’s identity. I designed a logo based on the traditional anarchy symbol, replacing the “A” with a dollar sign ($). This symbol was a clear statement of the band’s intent—to parody and corrupt the rebellious spirit of punk by twisting it into a celebration of capitalism and power. The logo effectively captured the band’s satirical approach and became a central element of their branding.
One of the most memorable pieces I created was the million-dollar bills, which the band would throw into the crowd during their live shows. These bills featured extreme characters—Adolf Hitler and Jesus—shaking hands over a business deal, accompanied by the motto “No Good or Evil, only business.” This design was meant to be as provocative as the band’s music, pushing boundaries while maintaining a sense of absurdity and satire.
In addition to the logo and stage props, I also created artwork for the band’s four CDs. The first album featured the band’s logo alongside references to the Eye of Providence, which appears on American currency and is often linked to conspiracy theories. For the second album, I designed an image of the band standing victorious over their defeated punk heroes, framed in an elaborate golden frame. I also came up with the album title, “Get Rich or Try Dying,” a satirical twist on 50 Cent’s debut album, “Get Rich or Die Trying.”
Despite the creative success, the band unfortunately broke up shortly after recording their second album. However, the project was a valuable experience in balancing provocative, boundary-pushing design with humour and satire. It was important throughout the project to ensure that the work never crossed the line into genuinely endorsing the anti-punk themes that the band parodied, keeping the tone light-hearted and absurd.
Ted DiBiase and the Million Dollar Punk Band was a unique and exciting project that allowed for a great deal of creative expression. The band, formed by some friends of mine, took a tongue-in-cheek approach to punk music by embracing an “anti-punk” ethos. Their music was authentically punk in style, but the lyrics celebrated wealth, exploited their own children, praised right-wing politics, and generally subverted traditional punk values. This ironic characterization provided a rich playground for creative design.
The first task was to create a logo that would set the tone for the band’s identity. I designed a logo based on the traditional anarchy symbol, replacing the “A” with a dollar sign ($). This symbol was a clear statement of the band’s intent—to parody and corrupt the rebellious spirit of punk by twisting it into a celebration of capitalism and power. The logo effectively captured the band’s satirical approach and became a central element of their branding.
One of the most memorable pieces I created was the million-dollar bills, which the band would throw into the crowd during their live shows. These bills featured extreme characters—Adolf Hitler and Jesus—shaking hands over a business deal, accompanied by the motto “No Good or Evil, only business.” This design was meant to be as provocative as the band’s music, pushing boundaries while maintaining a sense of absurdity and satire.
In addition to the logo and stage props, I also created artwork for the band’s four CDs. The first album featured the band’s logo alongside references to the Eye of Providence, which appears on American currency and is often linked to conspiracy theories. For the second album, I designed an image of the band standing victorious over their defeated punk heroes, framed in an elaborate golden frame. I also came up with the album title, “Get Rich or Try Dying,” a satirical twist on 50 Cent’s debut album, “Get Rich or Die Trying.”
Despite the creative success, the band unfortunately broke up shortly after recording their second album. However, the project was a valuable experience in balancing provocative, boundary-pushing design with humour and satire. It was important throughout the project to ensure that the work never crossed the line into genuinely endorsing the anti-punk themes that the band parodied, keeping the tone light-hearted and absurd.
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