Hello, I’m Claire!
After more than a decade working on creative teams, I made the leap from a steady full-time job to start my own business. I've collaborated with a wide range of people doing remarkable things, and what I've learned is that everyone has a different perspective and relationship to design. That understanding shapes how I work — closely, thoughtfully, and always with an eye toward delivering on design, on expectations, and on time. Head over to my services page to see how I can help you. ➝
Why graphic design?
The short answer: I have a creative heart and I wanted to make a living from it.
The longer answer is that this work hits every note for me. It taps into the creativity I discovered as a kid and the drive for order that's grown stronger in me as an adult. Design also lives at the intersection of social behavior, psychology, and human experience — and honestly, that dimension fascinates me more every year.
Beyond the day-to-day work of designing, hand lettering and calligraphy have always held a special place for me. It started in third grade, quietly practicing my name over and over while pretending to pay attention. In high school, a calligraphy class turned that habit into a genuine passion. There's something inherently beautiful about the way those 26 letters can be shaped, stretched, weighted, and colored to carry a feeling — and that love has never left me. Today, I'm lucky enough to bring lettering into projects and collaborations on a regular basis.
I'm originally from Iowa and earned my B.F.A. in Graphic Design from Iowa State University. These days, I live in Portland, Oregon with my husband Chris and our two furry gremlins, Bubba and Monty. When I'm not designing, you'll find me making art and cards with Chris, exploring the Pacific Northwest with the dogs, spending time with good friends, and working my way through as much of Portland's incredible food scene as possible.
Me on the first day of Kindergarten. The adorable polka-dot shorts/suspenders were made by my mom and I didn’t go anywhere without a Little Mermaid-themed object or apparel. In fact, most of the pictures from this time in my life feature me sporting a pink Little Mermaid dress that my mom also made (she’s where I get my creativity and crafitness).
Bubba (left) and Monty (right) are the two canine gremlins that keep Claire’s life silly and interesting!