Why simplicity is one of the most powerful business tools Here's a little design secret: sometimes the best thing a designer can do is take something away. A button that doesn't need to be there. A paragraph that says the same thing twice. A confusing menu. Another colour, another font or another clever design element. It's tempting to think that adding more information makes your website more useful. But there's a point where more becomes less. And your customers shouldn't h

The hidden language of visual communication Imagine someone landing on your website for the first time. They haven't read your introduction, looked at your services or discovered what makes your business special. Yet, within moments, they've probably already formed an opinion. Fair? Probably not. But it's human nature. We make visual judgements every day. We notice colours, shapes, layouts, photography and typography long before we consciously consider what they mean. And whe

Imagine you've spent time and money creating a fantastic new logo. It looks great. Then you put it on your website… and somehow it doesn't look quite right. The colours don't work. The typography feels different. The imagery doesn't match. The website feels like it belongs to a completely different business. This happens more often than you might think. That's why there is a strong argument for having your branding and website designed together. Your logo isn't your brand A l

Is my website the problem - or is it simply showing me that my brand needs some attention? Your website looks dated. So you assume you need a new website. But sometimes the website isn't really the problem. Sometimes the problem started much earlier. Your business has changed. Your customers have changed. Your services have changed. But your brand hasn't. And your website is simply showing the symptoms. The "new website redesign" trap It's very easy to think: Our website look

Search is evolving. For the past two decades, businesses have focused on SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) to rank on search engines like Google and Bing. Now, a new layer has emerged: GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) - optimising your content to appear inside AI-generated answers from platforms like OpenAI, Google (Gemini), and Microsoft (Copilot). If you’re a business owner, marketer, or agency, understanding the difference isn’t optional anymore - it’s a competitive a

Discover simple, affordable ways to grow your small business through brand exposure. Learn how to get noticed, build trust, and turn visibility into loyal customers.

Every design tells a story — not just through colours and shapes, but through emotion, intuition, and purpose. As a freelance graphic designer, I see my work as visual storytelling. Each logo, layout, and brand identity is a chapter in a bigger narrative that connects people to ideas.

Think of the brands you instantly recognise without even seeing their name - Nike’s swoosh, Apple’s bitten fruit, or Coca-Cola’s flowing red script. These aren’t just pretty pictures. They are the result of carefully crafted visual identities that capture the essence of a business and stick in people’s minds.

Discover how Mark Orriss's three decades in design can elevate your brand from ordinary to extraordinary. Learn why experience matters in creating lasting impressions.

With tools like Canva, Figma templates, and AI design generators, it’s never been easier to create your own designs. Many small business owners start out doing just that - and for some situations, it’s fine. But when it comes to building a brand that lasts, there’s a huge difference between DIY and professional design.

Working with a graphic designer should feel exciting - you’re bringing your vision to life. But even the best designer can only work with the information you provide. That’s why a clear, well-structured design brief is the secret to great results, fewer revisions, and a smoother process.

When I first started diving into the world of logo design, I quickly realised it’s not just about making something look pretty. A logo is...

It's been 25 years since I found myself staring at my PC screen in my flat the day after I'd been made redundant from my job at the...

SEO is important for improving the online presence of a website, attracting more traffic, and ultimately increasing conversions and...