blog makeover & mission

If you’re reading this you’ve probably noticed a few changes here at greco design company! My blog got a makeover. I wish I got the makeover but this will have to do for now. And I have to say, I’m really excited and proud!

I’m excited because I feel like this design is more on target with the message I want to convey to my readers. I love, love blogging but I have sort of gotten away from what drew me to blogging in the first place – my graphic design skills. I’ve worked as a graphic designer for over 25 years in a few different capacities. I started by working at ISM Strategic Marketing, a small ad agency in Boston where I was christened (by fire) into the advertising world. Our niche was travel and tourism and my accounts included Sheraton Hotels, the Islands of the Bahamas, and Hotel DuPont. Working at ISM gave me the opportunity to learn, grow – and travel. Lucky me.

I left the agency world when we had our first child (17 years ago!) and have been working on my own as a freelance graphic designer. I had already established a few of my own clients so it wasn’t a totally blind leap. Juggling a freelance work schedule (working from home means you’re always at work!), a new baby, a new house and all that life brings at you was challenging, but it fit my personality perfectly. Then baby #2 and #3 came along and things got even crazier. But all good. By this time I had a steady stream of work – sometimes up to 60+ hours a week. Good stuff.

I’ve always loved working as a freelancer. But I also love making things. I’ve designed invitation for friends and family. I’ve helped people redesign their homes. I’ve created artwork that has hung in small galleries and coffee shops. I took a jewelry making class. Design has always meant so many different things to me.

Shifting priorities made my design work slow down a bit. My kids are old enough now that they don’t quite need me all the time and I am so grateful that I got to spend so much time with them when the were itty bitty. Some days I wish we were back there.

So I started this blog when I really didn’t know much about blogs or what I was really intending to do with it. It was a hobby and a natural extension of my design background. But it grew and I’ve learned so many cool things. Most of which I had to teach myself. This is where the proud part comes in.

I took a few online classes but I really had to create this little blog on my own. In addition to coming up with post ideas, content and photos, I’ve also learned to write code – very, very simple code – but still, so not in my creative realm.

But lately I’ve noticed that while my blog has grown, blogging is only one of my areas of services. So I rebranded my blog to encompass all my interests and services: Graphic Design, Home Decor, my Etsy shop and Blogging. My message is to help others incorporate great design in all areas of our lives: graphics and print, fine arts, home decor, beauty and fashion and DIY projects. I know that’s a mouthful but I think this blog is the perfect place to contain all that goodness. And hopefully this new design has helped communicate that message.

If you have a minute, look through the new site. Check out the new home page – big difference! Here you can browse through any of my service sections. And don’t forget to sign up to receive my posts via your email in-box. This also gets you access to all my free stuff! I still have a few kinks to work through but I’m proud to be at this point. And I look forward to new challenges. Let me know if I can help you in any areas: if your company needs a logo or branding, you need wedding invitations, some home decor advice, or maybe a new fun gallery wall for your home. And I’d love to get your feedback. Do you like this new design and message? Any tips or suggestions? I’d love to hear them!