emdesign, inc.
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Suffolk
(2)
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Suffolk
(2)
emdesign has more than 20 years of experience working for entities large and small, corporate and nonprofit. We began in 1993 with the humble notion that great visual communications can be produced in a small, efficient studio setting, where each client benefits from close, personal attention.
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2 customer reviews
Maury A. Castro
I have worked with Michael for almost five years ago on a variety of print and digital projects for a couple of organizations. Michael has always been professional, speedy, insightful, and above all, creative! I can always count on him to provide warm, clean designs that reflect the organization. I send everyone to him! More...
Matt Gillespie
Michael has been doing magazine layout work for us for the past few years. He has a very easygoing nature and has always been pleasant to communicate and work with. He promptly replies to messages, he completes his assignments very quickly, and he consistently produces quality work. He's been very receptive to learning all of the esoteric layout style rules that we follow. It's been a pleasure to work with Michael! More...
What makes a great website?
Of course, it needs to look amazing, and I begin there, but equally important, it needs to function seamlessly, and it needs to be fast, quickly navigated with a minimum of clicks.
What questions might you ask a client when starting a new project?
Aside from the obvious budgetary and deadline questions, I'd ask them to tell me about the business, where it is today and where you see it in a year? In 5 years? Who is your desired audience? What "tone of voice" do you want to speak in? Are you looking for a creative solution or something more turnkey? (I can do both) Et cetera...
Describe your creative process.
Based on answers to the above questions and a more robust dialog, I'll do some additional research about the company or similar companies until I feel comfortable taking next steps. I begin sketching, and yes, that's by hand. It helps to begin to visualize a solution, and that's the quickest way to get a rush of ideas on a page...
What information do you need from a client before you can start work?
There are some obvious ones, like what does your company do? What "problems" does your freelance designer (me) need to solve in the short- and long-term? (And this is an excellent time to talk about compensation because the problem and the solution are so intimately intertwined.) Is there a design solution out there in the world (for a similar company) that excites you? I'm not looking to copy or even emulate another designer, but knowing what designs excite a prospective client can save a lot of time in exploration.
What do you love most about your job?
Problem-solving. It can be rather magical when it happens and the process is exciting to me. Of course, I love the nuts-and-bolts of what I do, too, working with type and image, color, the pacing of turning pages, whether those are paper or digital, engaging in the creative process. And, the a-ha! moments when something *new* is suddenly on the page.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Before starting on my own, I loved the customer service piece of what I did, the solving of peoples' problems, but I knew that my efforts were often lost in the clutter of a large-ish design firm. I did the work, the client paid my bosses and, at the end of the week, I got a check. It was all rather impersonal. I knew I could do it better if I was my own boss. I could work longer hours when needed without wasting time in traffic or chatting at the water cooler. I wanted to choose my own hours, too, on my own terms.
Why should our clients choose you?
Access. I am available to them, 24/7 if needed, and they'll love the personal attention they get. With a simple email, phone call or text message, I'm right there for my clients. And, of course, I'm awesome! Competent, creative, and accessible.
