Folia Design
Napa, California, Napa
(21)
Napa, California, Napa
(21)
Hello-
My name is Julia Allen and I'm a designer based in Napa, CA.
I'm an experienced creative director/designer who's been in the business for 25 years. The variety of clients I’ve had the fortune to work with range in the industries of wine industries, tourism, nonprofit organizations, businesses, finance, education and civic organizations.
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21 customer reviews
Megan Reeves/Megan Reeves Photography
I honestly don't know how Julia does it--she always seems tapped into the latest styles, social trends, technology shifts. .. She is incredibly smart, skilled and professional. And at the same time she's funny and curious and endlessly creative. Julia is an absolute joy to work with--I would never hesitate to recommend her. More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Megan.... such complimentary words! I'm so very grateful to our years of working together. Some incredible work we've produced and I'm so very proud of! Thank you!
Heather Piazza
Julia is an amazing graphic designer, and an even better partner. I've enjoyed working with Julia over the years. I appreciate her insight and creative solutions to our branding projects. Julia is a true artist who not only creates with her brain, but with her heart. More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Heather, and ditto to you for all the amazing and rewarding partnered projects we've joined together on! Looking forward to more shared opportunities with you! -Julia
Joel Toller
Julia is a pleasure to work with in all aspects. She is talented, creative and fun to work with and I would absolutely use her again for all design projects.
Reply from Folia Design
Thanks so much for your wonderful review Joel! I'd be happy to work with you anytime!
Elaine M. Jones
Julia is a consummate professional (and fun to work with!)
She presents a variety of creative design options – and, more than just graphic arts, she presents visual artist elements too.
She also has access to other vendors (i.e. great photographers, printers, etc.)
She has never missed a deadline for us.
More...
Reply from Folia Design
Wow! Thank you Elaine! I'm so grateful to your review! I love that you ended it with the fact I've always been on time! Thank you so much! Julia
Allison Steltzner
Julia has been great in taking my ideas and translating them into images that are powerful. Her ability to listen is key. She is able to help develop a full brand identity . I really enjoyed her practical suggestions when it came to printing and being mindful of our budget. More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thanks Allison! I have to say... your projects have been some of my favorite creative pursuits! I'm loving seeing your products take off too! Looking forward to working with you more in the future!
Michele Grupe
Julia is a compassionate, thoughtful, professional designer that always brings her full energy to each project. I have worked with her for over ten years on multiple projects and have referred her to countless partners.
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Michele! It's been a mutual sense of pride, gratitutde and honor to have worked with you for so long! Thank you for supporting me and my business!
Lisa Toller
I have worked with Julia on dozens of projects over the last 15 years including logos, annual reports, brochures, websites, direct mail campaigns, etc. She is amazingly adept at developing creative that expresses the client's vision. Her work is as beautiful and unique as it is effective. She's a total pro who is also super easy to work with. I highly recommend her. More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Lisa so much for this complimentary review! I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you through the years! Looking forward to a future where our paths will cross again professionally! -Julia
Rhoda Gravador Piano & Voice Teacher
Julia made it a point to understand not only my business, but the person behind the business, seeking every single detail she could to create the perfect logo. She created a handful of logos, and all of them were so incredible that it literally took me weeks to make the final decision. Many thanks Julia for my amazing logo!!! More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Rhoda! You made the project such a delight to design for! -Julia
Danis Kreimeier
Julia at Folia Design created a new logo that really captures the energy and spirit of the library. She was easy to work with and understands our mission and our community. I would recommend her to anyone wanting a fresh new look- and she's fun to work with! More...
Reply from Folia Design
Big big smile on my face! Thank you for this stellar review!!!!
Marie Dolcini & Giovanni Guerrera
Julia is a consummate professional and a pleasure to work with. Her breadth of experience and collaborative approach helped us make our design ideas a reality. The results were elegant and impactful -- just what we were looking for. More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Marie and Gio! It's not everyday that you get to see your work thrive in the community so well! I take honor in knowing we worked together in creating your brand! -Julia
Joelle Gallagher
Julia and I have worked on multiple projects together. She has designed logos, collateral material, packaging and signage. Julia is highly intuitive and creative, yet patient and professional. She is able to work with a client to get to the essence of what they are trying to communicate. I guess I would call her, "an expert communicator." More...
Reply from Folia Design
Much appreciation to you Joelle! I have enjoyed working with you so much through the years! I look forward to future project with you! Thank you for this review! -Julia
Karin Troedsson
Julia is an amazing person and designer...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Karin!!!! -Julia
Julie
Julia is my graphic designer of choice. Her creativity and eye for detail are second-to-none. She brings a unique artistic flair to all designs and is always a pleasure to work with. She listens carefully to her clients' goals and objectives and brings them to life in unexpected and delightful ways. I have worked with her on a number of projects and she always exceeds expectations. I can't recommend Julia & Folia Design enough! More...
Reply from Folia Design
My deepest gratitude to you Julie! I've loved all the projects we've joined together on! Looking forward to more in our future! -Julia
Craig Smith
Our nonprofit has been working with Julia for fifteen years. Her work is amazing - very creative, responsive to our needs, on time and under budget. We will always use her.
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Craig!!! Really? 15 years! This means you were one of my first clients! -Julia
Michele Farhat
Julia has been an outstanding creative director to partner with Aldea Children and Family Services needs. We have relied on Julia for creating many design projects including branding a new campaign called Courage Village, brochures, strategic plans, handbook, signage, event invitations, marketing materials, banners, swag and more. She has been very flexible and accommodating to our quickly changing time lines and I have appreciated her ability to come up with new and fresh looks for our different projects. She has a keen understanding of the audience she is designing for and with our ever increasing needs for her services, it is great to have a trusted, dynamic person on our team. More...
Reply from Folia Design
Much thanks for this very complimentary review! I've been blessed to work with you and ALDEA for several years and love each project we've collaborated on. Thank you! Looking forward to more! -Julia
Philippe Pessereau
Upon recommendation by friends, I approached Julia Allen from Folia Design with a specific request for a new business card logo and was not only pleased but also very satisfied with the results. Drawing from her creativity and experience, she had the vision to change and thus enhance my idea for this logo so it would better connect and reflect to the nature of my business. More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you so much Philippe!!!
Michelle Mandro
Julia Allen is amazing! So talented and creative; listens to you and really tries to meet your needs. Very happy with my experience and would recommend her to any one who is looking for a branding expert.
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Michelle! I love that you have high ranking! -Julia
Elizabeth Emmett
Julia at Folia Design is a wonderful asset to me, for several reasons. She is creative and takes pride in her creativity, but also is open to incorporating aspects of my vision into hers. I like that. Plus, she knows our community and my audiences, so it saves us a lot of strategic time. Finally, she is accessible, sets her fees reasonably and will go out of her way to help me get a final product that I love. I don't have a graphic designer on staff, so Julia is my "go to" asset. I sincerely recommend her. More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Elizabeth! I've been lucky to have the honor and pleasure of working with you and NVUSD through the years! Thank you for putting your trust in me!
Alonso Corona
Amazing design work! Folio Design completely revamped our image and logo few years back. You can see her work here. www.greenescleaners.com
Reply from Folia Design
Thanks Alonso!!!!!! So grateful!
Mchael Diehl
I've worked with Folia Design on 3 projects and have been very impressed with the final results for each.
Julia possesses a unique ability to connect with others on a personal level, which strengthens her work as well as the final product she develops.
Julia's artistic ability and attention to detail are impressive to say the least and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with her.
More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you Michael for this review! 3 years have zoomed by, but I've loved the branding, print collateral and website we've built together! -Julia
Tracy Lamb
NEWS has worked with Julia on several projects over the years. She is a great listener, and was very thoughtful, insightful, and responsive in creating the image and message we wanted to convey. We are very pleased with our logo and web presentation. More...
Reply from Folia Design
Thank you so much Michele for this wonderful review! It's been an honor and pleasure to work with you and the ALDEA staff!
Describe your creative process.
I like to have a conversation with the client to understand their needs and expectations. If there's a fit, I work to to provide an outline of what will be delivered, based on a timeline, and how the project will be moved through the process of completion, always letting the client know next steps. Communication is very important to me, with no surprises... and creating flow for all things revolving around the project.
What information do you need from a client before you can start work?
I need to know what exactly they need, timing, what is involved (if they can articulate it) and budget range. Once an agreement is made and signed on, content and visuals are needed (particularly for website and print/digital design)... where images come from would be discussed based on projects parameters.
What do you love most about your job?
I love being able to listen and understand what a client's needs are, and how to organize... package it up in a way that allows them to feel empowered, proud and plain ol simple... joyous that they finally have a tool, in this case a website, that can function on their behalf in virtual space... using their voice, their pulse, their aim to provide a product or service that will help another. That is what I love about my job... as a creative, designer, and geeky organizer of content.
What inspired you to start your own business?
When I moved to Napa, CA after being a highly driven but employed creative in Chicago for a decade (also taught college level at my alma mater, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, outside of a full-time job)... I knew I didn't want to jump right back into a grueling commute to San Francisco from Napa (one way could easily take up to 2 hours sometimes), so I started locally... and my reputation grew quickly in Napa via word of mouth. It's been amazing and I've fortunate to work with so many local businesses, wineries nonprofits, civic organizations and individuals. I spill over to the Sonoma side too... and well, now, the Bay area.
Why should our clients choose you?
Clients should choose me because of my wide range of experience and years as a seasoned designer. I'm experienced in all the ways a creative director/designer should be, but also am equipped with exceptional organizational skills. I believe a willingness to understand and establish a partnership between the client and myself is necessary in order to move forward with a successful outcome. Clear communication is a must. Without the two, the success of a project would be slanted towards the opposite. Once the foundation for a good working relationship is established, the fun part can begin! I do like to have an informal but professional and relaxed style of working with clients and my peers. I think it helps to allow for comfort and being transparent with feedback.
Creative Design and Strategy
Lead by Julia Allen, creative director and designer, has been sailing Folia Design since 2002, a micro studio specializing in brand identity, collateral, packaging and website design. Her latest pursuits also include custom hand lettering and calligraphy.
