I would LOVE to work with you!
web
print
content
marketing
strategy
Often these categories overlap and projects may take bits and pieces from a variety of places. This might include other people as well. I say Fantastic! - if it takes a team to best serve your needs let’s put that team together.
If you have something you want to do and you have a feeling I might be able to help then get in touch. At the very least it is always nice to meet new people (and to connect with old friends).
My commitment to you and to myself is simple – be as honest and hardworking as I can be in the service of your goals. Simple. personal.passionate. design.
I design and develop websites in WordPress. WordPress is a fabulous tool and we can work together to make it really work for your needs.
Whether you need a new site or the redesign of an existing site, I can help you to have a great product that will fit your budget. Maybe you aren’t even sure you want or need a website…let’s talk! I promise to only recommend solutions that make sense for your needs and the decisions are always yours.
Also, WordPress allows you to actually maintain and update your own content – this can be a really attractive option for some.
Sites can start as low as $450 depending on needs.
Need a new business card? Flyer? Brochure? Banner? Want to have nice looking materials that are consistent with your ‘brand’ without it costing a fortune? I can create some really great looking print materials for you.
Do you have a logo? Want one? Logo design is challenging but having a logo you love can be really awesome! Let’s talk!
The other part of print is….well…printing. There are some super budget friendly online options now (VistaPrint, OvernightPrints, mpix) that I’ve had really good luck with. And of course local printing houses still exist and can sometimes be the best option. Managing the production of materials takes some doing and that’s doing I’ve done!
Costs vary by project.
Content, content, content. Whether it is simple editing of your blog posts or ghost writing your newsletter, I can help you to develop that *unique voice* in your written communications.
What about audio? Or event better – video? It is really possible to create content on a budget. And it is FUN too!
What about SEO (Search Engine Optimization)? Oh, the holy grail of being first on google search. This is a dark art to be sure and something I’m just beginning to learn about but it could be an interesting adventure to learn together!
Costs vary by project.
There is ALOT of information coming at us all the time. How can you stand out? Is it necessary to spend all your time on Facebook and Twitter in order to get noticed? Do you even have to go there? With so many options it can be really hard to know what to do. And then, how do you know what’s working?
I’m still very much learning about this myself so for right now I can offer you a 2-hour marketing ‘brainstorm’ session ($100) where we lay it all out and see what sticks. From there, we can decide how we might want to move forward to work together.
Do you have big ideas but sometimes struggle to figure out how to turn those into something real in the world? Do have a message you want to spread but get overwhelmed thinking about how you might do that?
I actually LOVE just sitting down and talking thru your stuff – your ideas – your business – your biggest, brightest ideas…and then mapping out how you might proceed.
Right now I’m offering a 2 1/2 hour strategy session that includes pre-session “warm up” questions and a post-session write-up that can help keep you grounded and excited about the future. Cost for this session is currently only $100! We can do this in-person or voice/video call.
phone: 630.220.0063
email: kim@eastwillowstudios.com
I live and work in the Western Suburbs of Chicago but it turns out that there is some pretty fancy technology now that makes that pretty irrelevant!
Thanks!
If it’s easier – you can just fill this form out and I’ll contact you. Thanks!
I came up with these three words to be the ‘tagline’ for east willow studios almost a year ago. They have been hanging on my fridge (in sketch form) since then. There have been times when I’ve thought about changing them, but somehow they really really fit.
Personal : I really mean this – I like to care about your projects. It isn’t about just a transaction, it is about actually honestly doing something together. I got this feedback from a client – she really captures what I’m talking about — “It didn’t feel like work, it was like friends playing together.” That’s the deal. This work isn’t about “all business” – it’s personal – and why not? The world has enough ‘not so personal’ stuff in it already.
Passionate : Here is a definition of passionate – from the wonder that is google: Showing or caused by strong feelings or a strong belief. Enthusiasm, belief in your project and our shared work together. Excitement, laughter, fun. Passionate!
Design : A long time ago I was reading about design and came upon the idea that really, design is about solving problems. Design is also ‘on purpose’ – it is thoughtful and done for specific reasons. I love design, the whole idea of it feels pretty much perfect. And whenever I’m struggling to figure out what in the heck I’m doing, what I’m really about, in the end it is design – it is about solving problems.
east willow studios is really just me, Kim LeClair. I've been dabbling around the edges of design for a long time. In 2012 I decided to dive in.
I read somewhere a long time ago that design is about solving problems. That may be over simplified and every designer might not agree but for me -- it fits. I enjoy new and different projects where there is something to be done - some actions I can take that will result in something new or better.
Potential and possibility are what I love most of all - along with variety. And people.
This is the great irony of my life (at least one of them...) -- the work I'm drawn to is work that happens solo, but the way I like to live is in partnership, alongside and engaged with others. But here is what I've found -- with my clients I GET BOTH! I get to work with someone - bouncing ideas and solutions around until we hit on one that fits just right. Then I can go away and create but always with the client in mind and with plenty of feedback. The result is something we can both love!
professional timeline
1994 – BA in Psychology; decide to go to grad school
1997 – MA in Psychology; decide to leave grad school; have acquired good technical skills
1997 – 1999 – Work for local non-profit (People’s Resource Center); start to discover I love design
1999 – 2004 – Work for local government (DuPage County Health Department); develop as technical trainer and analyst
2004 – 2012 – Work for local healthcare provider group (DuPage Medical Group); develop strong technical skills; start thinking about design and creativity more and more
2011 – Begin doing web design for free for friends
2012 – Decide to leave full-time employment to explore design; start learning and building skills
2013 – Officially launch east willow studios….here we go….
