Where it all began

Let’s talk about how AW Graphic Design started…

Back in 2016, I was studying my BA (Hons) at the university of Cumbria, Institute of the Arts. I was casting for the first show I ever wrote and directed and needed someone to do the marketing. Despite the university having graphic design students, no one was available and so I contacted a company back home and they supplied a graphic which at the time I was in love with.

After Frankie’s was closed, I started to wonder that maybe if I had the time, I could have designed something myself. Having always been someone interested in computing but never much into designing (my art teacher will tell you, it was recommended I should not choose art to study), I knew that if I focused that I could learn this new skill.

Soon I began to use free online programs to design flyers, business cards, posters and websites for the likes of JACE Balloons & Events, Millers and Transformers School of Motoring.

I watched countless YouTube videos, enrolled on paid courses and spent numerous hours in front of my shiny new MacBook Air that my husband had kindly purchased me the year before, learning all new tips and tricks and trends for graphic design.

Before I knew it, I was designing for numerous other businesses and clients because the people around me saw potential and word of mouth really was the answer. Time passed and I learned more and more skills and added in even more services and even got myself a diploma in digital marketing through the open university as well as investing hundreds of pounds into equipment and professional software.

Fast forward to now, I am the busiest I’ve ever been with my small business, while there is still quiet spells and still huge work to do to get my business where it needs to be, I am thrilled that I can now provide Digital Marketing, Web Design and Print solutions as well as gifts, vinyl printing and everything in between to both new and returning clients.

I have also formed a relationship with a very successful company in Hoolit Media based in Glasgow’s East End where I am the Web Design Partner, who provide graphic design and delivery of a magazine to over 20,000 houses in the east end of Glasgow and Coatbridge.

I opened AW Graphic Design in 2018 and 6 years later, I’m still learning, growing and developing new skills and relationships but I have the best clients who support my small business time after time.

Did I get things wrong along the way? Yes! Did I make mistakes with orders? Yes! Did I learn from those mistakes and fix them? Yes! Was the work I produced always my best? No and that’s ok. I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you want something, go for it. It’s never too late to find your passion and while not everyone will support you, the ones who matter will.

Thank you to each and every single client whether you are a new client, a returning client or even one of my long standing clients. Thank you for supporting AW Graphic Design. Whether you buy from me, like or share my posts or even watch quietly. Social media is a powerful tool and it only just takes that one post that may change your life.