If your customers are impressed by your service but underwhelmed by your marketing materials, there's a disconnect worth fixing.
Client: Julia Rose Styling - Style guide analysis presentation design
Client: The Queens Head - Menu design
THE SITUATION
Both businesses were delivering something special. But neither was communicating that value as effectively as they could.
Some of my favourite projects aren't complete redesigns. Sometimes the business already has everything it needs. A great service. A loyal customer base. A strong reputation. The problem is that the materials customers interact with don't reflect that quality. That was the case for both Julia Rose Styling and The Queens Head.
Julia offers a highly personalised styling service that helps clients understand the colours, styles and clothing choices that work best for them. I'd experienced her colour analysis service myself and knew first-hand how valuable the process was.
The Queens Head is one of the best independent restaurants I've eaten at. The food is exceptional, the atmosphere is fantastic and every detail of the dining experience feels carefully considered.
THE REALITY
There was a gap between expectation and reality. The service was premium. The materials didn't yet feel that way.
In both cases, the issue wasn't the service itself. It was the presentation.
For Julia, the challenge was a client colour analysis document that was delivered as a PDF after the consultation. The information was valuable, but the layout felt inconsistent and didn't reflect the premium experience clients had just invested in.
For The Queens Head, the menu felt very DIY despite the quality of the food on offer.
The dishes deserved centre stage, but the design wasn't helping tell that story.
BEHIND THE SCENES
The solution wasn't adding more. It was stripping things back.
It's easy to assume good design means adding more graphics, more decoration or more visual effects. In reality, the opposite is often true.
For Julia's colour analysis guide, the focus was on creating a clean, confident layout that aligned with the quality of her service. The typography was simplified, spacing improved and her existing visual identity was applied consistently throughout. Even better, it was built as a Canva template, meaning future reports could be updated quickly and easily without starting from scratch each time.
For The Queens Head, the goal was simplicity.
No unnecessary graphics. No visual clutter. No distractions from the food itself.
Instead, the menu used space intentionally, allowing the dishes to become the focus. The result was a timeless design that felt more in keeping with the quality and price point of the dining experience.
THE TURNING POINT
Both businesses now have materials that support the experience rather than unintentionally undermining it.
In both projects, the transformation came from alignment. When customers interact with a business, every touchpoint shapes their perception. The design should reassure them they're in the right place.
For Julia, her clients now receive a document that feels as professional and thoughtful as the service they've just experienced.
For The Queens Head, diners are presented with a menu that allows the food to speak for itself.
THE OUTCOME
Good design will support the service, build confidence and reflect the quality.
For Julia Rose Styling:
-
Redesigned colour analysis guide
-
Improved typography and layout
-
Consistent use of existing visual identity
-
Editable Canva template for future client reports
-
Faster and easier process moving forward
For The Queens Head:
-
Redesigned menus
-
Cleaner and more premium presentation
-
Improved readability
-
Timeless design approach
-
Ongoing support for future menu updates
SOUND FAMILIAR?
If you've ever looked at your marketing materials and thought:
"This doesn't really reflect what we do."
You're probably not imagining it.
Often the problem isn't your service, product or expertise.
It's that your customer-facing materials haven't caught up yet.
