Fun, illustrative graphic design

Life is short and the world can be scary, so let’s make some beautiful designs together!

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Original.

Authentic.

Unique.

No-one is ever going to be as good as you, at being you, as you are.

The same goes for your business: no other business is ever going to be as good at being your business as you.

This is why I value originality and authenticity so highly. Everyone who has started their own business has their own deep-seated reason for doing so. There’s an innate passion that drives everyone who takes that plunge. And it’s my job to discover that ‘why’ and learn everything about it, because that is where the real gold of your business lies. And it’s completely unique to you: shaped by your experiences, beliefs and values.

This is why I don’t follow design trends. They look great but they will date very quickly, which means more money and time spent that you could be using elsewhere in your business. Trends can also be a crutch: when you don’t know why your business is different and what makes it unique, then it’s much more difficult to stand out in your industry.

Design trends come and go, but Paper Arcade design lasts forever.*

*Well, a long long time anyway.

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“As a small company we don't have the resources for a design department. But Laura’s enthusiasm and output make it feel like we have a full team at our disposal.”

Chris Connor, Trainer and Consultant, Grow Training

Branding

Your branding is made up of two parts: Brand Strategy and Brand Identity. You can do ‘just a logo’ but it’s waaay smarter to do the strategy stuff first, so you know exactly what you want your brand to say and who you want to say it to. A strategy-first approach will not only save you time and money in the long run, it will also save you a lot of headaches.

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Graphic Design

Graphic design is EVERYWHERE and is usually the first point of contact with your customers, which is why it’s important to get it done right. Whether it’s a one-off project or we become long term design partners, I can work with your brand to say the right things to the right people.

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Illustration

Illustration is SUCH a fun way to brighten up your brand! We could make patterns, icons, diagrams, infographics, stories or editorial illustrations – the list goes on and on. With illustration you can set a particular mood, vibe or story in a way that photography sometimes can’t capture.

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LOVELY GRAPHIC DESIGN IN SUNNY GLASGOW

Behind the Arcade

Oohft, where do I start? I’m a west of Scotland lassie with a lot of hobbies and a penchant for painting, texture and craft beer.

My Story

Graphic designer Laura Hurst as a child with face paint, on a beach in Oban, Scotland and in black and white wearing a tartan jacket.

Like seeing behind the scenes of a creative business?

Sign up to my Studio Diary newsletter, where I’ll share snapshots of my sketchbooks, project updates, and thoughts on creativity, life and whatever else is on my mind that week.

**I just really love putting text and images together and making them look beautiful.**

Illustrative graphic design and branding for people who don’t follow trends.

For passionate, exciting and ambitious small businesses who want to show the world what their business is all about.

Green editorial magazine spread about tenement tile design in Glasgow, Scotland

Professional design especially for small businesses.

As a small business owner, every penny counts.

Which is why I’m the perfect fit for your brand: professional and experienced with bags of ideas but on a smaller, more flexible scale.

Big design agencies are awesome, but for a small business they’re a bit more than what you need. Paper Arcade fits right in between freelancer and Big Giant Expensive Agency.

“Laura's design was stunning - colourful and fun. The event was a huge success, which was partly down to the eye-catching nature of her design, which encouraged over 200 people to sign up for the event and decorate their windows.”

Vicki Colkett
Organiser, Battlefield Community Project

Creative design for bonkers small business owners.

You’ve got to be bonkers to be a small business owner.

But I can say that because I’m a small business owner too!

I know the feeling: that innate drive to be your own boss, create the things you have in your mind, put them out into the world, help people. It’s difficult to put into words, but I know how you feel.

And being a small business owner can also be really hard. Really, bloomin’ hard. I know what the low days feel like too. Which is why I’ve got your back and will support you with your business venture. We small business owners have got to stick together 💪🏼

Logo Design Process

Do you like satisfying timelapse process videos as much as I do? Here’s a logo design process for the 50 Day Logo Challenge, for a fictional skiing business called Moon Ridge Mountain Resort.

(I don’t know about you but I definitely would like to stay there.)