From: Hyattsville, MD | Lives in: Laurel, MD
Alma Mater: University of Maryland, College Park
Kids: 2, Megan & Ryan
Favorite Quote: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” — Jimi Hendrix
Favs: Autumn, dark chocolate, Elton John, yellow roses, Middle Eastern food, Frasier, mint chocolate chip ice cream, Scattergories, iced green tea lattes, and Apple products.
Most Played Song on Spotify: Stitched Up by Herbie Hancock featuring John Mayer
From: Hyattsville, MD | Lives in: Laurel, MD
Alma Mater: University of Maryland, College Park
Kids: 2, Megan & Ryan
Favorite Quote: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” — Jimi Hendrix
Guilty pleasure: Toy Story 1, 2 & 3
Favs: Autumn, dark chocolate, Elton John, yellow roses, Middle Eastern food, Frasier, mint chocolate chip ice cream, Scattergories, iced green tea lattes, Apple products & Kevin Spacey.
Most Played Song on iTunes: Stitched Up by Herbie Hancock featuring John Mayer
Carla founded Uncommon Design over 20 years ago and continues to take great pride in the creative process and the relationships she builds with her clients. Inspired by the belief that “Image is everything,” her design philosophy is to make the idea clear and simple, the design surprising and beautiful. She strives to be unique, to push the envelope, and create eye catching graphics that will make you or your business stand out from the crowd.
Carla has aspired to make Uncommon Design a company that clients enjoy working with. Small and flexible, yet experienced—she works closely with her clients throughout the design process. She has a diverse selection of customers, from small start-ups and churches to larger associations, non-profit organizations, and various government agencies.
Let us help you make yours memorable.
Uncommon Design creates functional and eye-catching designs for associations, government agencies, professional service firms, non-profits, churches, academic institutions and more. Whether you need a fresh new logo, sales collateral, a direct mail campaign, signage or an e-newsletter, we can help.
Our passion for good design makes us the ideal partner for all of your organization’s graphic design and publishing needs.
Uncommon Design understands the importance of speaking with our clients in detail in order to create a truly unique product for their business. We encourage feedback and work closely with the client to ensure their vision and needs are satisfied with completed results.
Please contact Uncommon Design to get more information about how we can work together to produce the product of your vision and your needs.
Here you’ll find examples of some of our work that helps our clients succeed.
Uncommon Design has the privilege of working with small businesses throughout the area to provide effective design and branding producing real results. Here are just a few of our happy clients.
When the project begins, the client will provide all pertinent information and elements including design requirements or design preferences. The client may also provide any images required for us to use and verbiage associated with project. UD will provide additional images and may provide help with wording for the project if needed. Upon receipt of a 50% deposit and a signed Engagement Letter, the creative process is started. An initial concept or concepts will be provided to the client. The client must proof all artwork and text. After a reasonable amount of revisions, a final version is prepared and approved by the client. The final payment is due at time of pickup or by completion of the project.
This depends on several variables including the extent of the client’s project and the designer’s current workload. On average projects, can take as little as 3 to 7 business days to complete. The time frame is also dependent on how soon the client provides the necessary content and/or files, as well as feedback and approval on work in progress.
Yes, we generally keep clients’ artwork and files in a folder located electronically on an external back-up system or on our computers locally. We generally do back-ups and store files on a regular basis, but we do not guarantee file backup. If a client wishes to keep copies of their files electronically, we recommend getting artwork on disk.
Cash, checks, and money orders can be received in person or mail.
All deposits are non-refundable.
Client satisfaction is highly valued. If a client doesn’t like the initial concept or concepts, we’ll revise it until the customer is satisfied. Some projects can include a specific number of initial concepts. Logos do have a limited number of revisions. If the client is completely unsatisfied with the designs created, the project is subject to cancellation either by the client or the designer, and the remaining balance on the account is forfeited.
A designer is usually chosen based on impressions, referrals, portfolio and pricing. Pricing is reflective of the level of service provided. Even with Uncommon Design’s budget-oriented pricing, a generous amount of revisions are provided for the original concept/concepts.
“Carla is an amazing designer. I gave her a few pictures and some literature I wanted on a brochure, and was amazing how well put together it was. She did this in only a few days, and still to this day we are using the same design.”
PETE DAVIS, ASPHALT & CONCRETE ELITE SERVICES, INC.
“Carla is one of the best designers I have worked with. She is very thorough when finding out what her clients want and need. Therefore when presenting her work to the clients, they generally love it the first time around. She is just a joy to work with!”
DON THOMAS, SIGNARAMA
“Carla did an excellent job in designing a logo for my business venture. She is a consummate professional who excels at her work.”
PETER GRAGNANO, THE GROWTH COACH
“Carla is the consummate professional, very creative, talented, and has a keen sense about the persona and situation/event she is working on. Carla designed my Wife and my wedding invites, thank you cards, and wedding reception directions. We had “Logo” designed that we used on signs, lip balm, and other wedding items. I would have thought her fees fro this amazing work would be way more than the were. You can get professional design and development work fro a reasonable cost. Carla was quick, thorough and quick to fix and little changes we had along the way. I would highly recommend her for any type Graphic design , Log, special event, or church program!”
“She is the best and wonderful human being too! thanks Carla:)”
BRIAN MADDEN, MADDEN INSURANCE
“Carla has helped me with the graphics to make a small tract which I have tried to make for years! She did a great job!!”
FRANNIE MILLER, SHAKLEE
“Ms. Conway has a canny and constructive capability to carefully catalog catchy campaigns and then proceed to act as a catalyst to construct them. Furthermore, she is a competent and cautionary professional. I recommend Ms. Conway highly.”
HARRY SCHNIPPER, OWNER, BLUES ALLEY JAZZ LLC
“I opened Railroad Street Wealth Management after 28 years in the securities business. Carla quickly understood the branding
I was trying to achieve and in a relatively short time achieved the results I was looking for. I could not be happier with my business
cards, stationary and website. I love my new logo and would recommend Carla to anyone looking for a branding expert that does it all.”
CHRISTOPHER MAMUNES, RAILROAD STREET WEALTH MANAGEMENT
“Carla Conway has been the designer of our magazine, Capital Area REALTOR®, since the latter part of 2014. She is creative, always looking for new and visually appealing ways to present information, and she has even taken it upon herself to introduce a new magazine feature that has been a big hit with our members. She goes above and beyond to make sure that we put out a quality product, and the feedback we get from our members and Board is very positive. In addition, she is responsive, easy to work with, and makes delicious fudge during the holiday season.”
BOBETTE BANKS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, GREATER CAPITAL AREA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (GCAAR)
“I am part of a real estate team and getting noticed is extremely important in my business. Carla has helped us with several projects. Most recently she redesigned our monthly newsletter and created a clean, fresh , sleek look that is a better representation of our business. We couldn’t be happier with the service and product we received from Uncommon Design.”
ALEX HEITKEMPER, THE PIROVIC TEAM, LONG AND FOSTER REAL ESTATE
“Carla makes me feel as if I am her only client. She always comes through for me so I can easily meet my deadlines. She’s extremely easy to work with and takes feedback cheerfully. Whether it’s my regular newsletter, a one-off infographic, an event poster or a new logo, she produces numerous options for me to choose from and happily incorporates my suggestions to ensure I’m always 100 percent satisfied.”
ANN PUDERBAUGH, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
“She suggests multiple creative options based on what I tell her I want and then she works with me to finish the details in such a way that both of us look good.”
VICKI ROSETTE CHAIR, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, RESPIRATORY CARE DEPARTMENT, SGPS PROGRAM, WASHINGTON ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY
“How will everything lay out, how will it look when printed? Here is where the last member of the team, the clean-up hitter comes to bat. Carla Conway produces home runs. The illustrations enhanced our text, the layout balanced in color, shape and appeal and the books are gladly received and used. Thank you Carla for the warm smile and “let’s get it done” attitude.”
DOUGLAS WEAR, CONTRIBUTING WRITER AND EDITOR, HOPE FOR TODAY
“She has helped me with so many projects and designed our new logo, which everyone loves. She is creative and passionate and inspires. I love working with Carla.”
SEAN SUNTUM, GOLDEN RULE MOVING
“Her work speaks for itself. Carla was able to redo the work authorization for our business on a tight time line. She was patient and thorough. She really pays attention to the details. We were very satisfied with her work. I would recommend her to anyone.”
RESHMA BOURNE, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE
“I needed a logo to rebrand my business. My previous logo was washed out with a flat color palette. This time, I wanted something different—distinctive, and indicative of my personal brand and video business. Carla provided me with a handful of options that we narrowed down to one. The process was seamless and fun. Carla is as patient as she is creative. The result is a logo that I love and will use for years to come. I highly recommend Carla and Uncommon Design for all of your graphic design projects.”
PAMELA VINES, VINES FILM & MEDIA
Our work is about you and your success. Let’s Talk.
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