Natalie MacKnight
Creative
Natalie works in partnership with organizations who value great design as a tactic towards meeting goals. She is a strategic, marketing-oriented creative committed to helping clients convey their message clearly, creatively and intelligently.
Based just west of Boston in Bolton, Massachusetts, Natalie is also a fine artist and bookbinder with a studio at ArtSpace in Maynard.
Working together…
It all starts with a conversation.
Information informs the design process. I find an in-person meeting to discuss marketing and design goals to be more robust than a phone call or email, as I can glean tendencies that may suggest additional questions or avenues of exploration. Often it’s not just the words that are said; it’s how they’re said.
From there, I provide a proposal including a summary of my understanding of the project, the time table and a cost estimate (see “Design is not an exact science.” below). When my proposal is accepted, it becomes a contract and the design concepting phase will commence.
Your organization is unique.
Therefore the design solutions I develop will be unique to you and your organization. I do not use stock templates. Depending on the type, scale and time frame of your project, I will present 1 to 3 design concepts. The selected concept will then be developed and applied across the campaign, with PDF proofs provided for review. Art is released to printers or other vendors only after you have approved the designs and content. I have printers I work with, or I can work with your preferred printer.
My approach to design is thoughtful and strategic.
It’s about communicating the message clearly, creatively and intelligently. I relish opportunities to make information approachable for a variety of audiences. I do this through judicious use of design, typography, color and imagery—a tactic I look forward to bringing to your project.
Design is not an exact science.
Sometimes the design process goes more quickly, sometimes more slowly. My estimates are based on what I believe your project will require. If more work is involved, the actual price may be higher. If less work is needed, the actual price may be lower. I will keep you informed of any changes which exceed 10% of the estimated amount.
Your input is critical.
I view my relationship with each client as a partnership with a common goal of creating effective, targeted communications materials. You know your business best. The more you can tell me about where you want to go with it, your likes, dislikes, competition, etc., the more informed the design process will be. And if you have a set budget, please let me know so that I can work with you to ensure your design needs are met.
Finally...
If you have any questions along the way, please be sure to let me know. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.