Hi there,
Thank you for taking the time to read my profile. I am a Senior Brand, Graphic, Social, and Web Designer with over 11 years of experience in Branding and Communications agencies (with clients in Industrial, MedTech, Green Energy, Business and Education), Publishing ( both literary and magazines), and the Arts (non-profit and corporate). I have also successfully run my own business Cida Design Co as a freelancer since 2019, and work with SME’s in holistic, wellbeing and coaching industries.
At a Glance:
Name: Cat Maher
Location: Ireland
Years of Experience: 11+
Education: First Class Honours in MA Professional Design Practice and BA in Design for Visual Communications
Professional Memberships: The Irish Design Institute
Area of Expertise:
– Brand Strategy
– Brand and Design Auditing
– Brand and Visual Identity Design
– Website Design and Development
– Social Media Design (with Adobe and Canva)
– Presentation Design (with Adobe, Microsoft and Canva)
– Print Design (books, brochures, stationary, exhibition design)
– Digital Design (e-books, magazines, leaflets, etc)
Software and Platforms:
– Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop & Photoshop Beta, Lightroom, XD, Acrobat)
– Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
– Canva
– Mailchimp
– WordPress and Wix
Brand Strategy:
Through bespoke workshops and tailored questionnaires, I develop efficient blueprints detailing your refined branding approach, encompassing your company’s positioning, purpose, and personality while addressing audience needs. This includes impactful initial messaging that captures the essence of your business and resonates with your target audience. Delivered in a visually appealing and easy-to-follow document.
Brand and Design Auditing:
I assess and analyse the visual components of your brand to ensure they are in line with your identity and objectives. I evaluate your logo, colours, typography, and other design elements to make sure they accurately represent your brand's values and connect with your target audience. I analyse your brand's online presence, including social media accounts and website, compare it with competitors, and ensure the design quality meets professional and industry standards. I review materials like stationary, packaging, brochures, and advertisements to maintain a consistent visual language. My aim is to provide recommendations for improvement and help create a cohesive and impactful visual identity that resonates with your audience.
Brand & Visual Identity Design:
I specialise in crafting bespoke logos and visual identities that flawlessly harmonise with your business's character, essence, strategic positioning, and core purpose. This results in a seamless and compelling representation that powerfully communicates your unique message, setting you apart from competitors. I encapsulate your values and mission within the design, all while adhering to industry-leading standards.
Website Design & Development:
I collaborate with you to develop a purposeful and elegant website design reflecting your visual identity, featuring a strategic layout, user-friendly experience, and compelling calls to action. The website will meet industry standards, ensuring responsiveness, security, functionality, and SEO. Training on how to add content will be provided, alongside brand assets and concise guidelines for consistent application.
Social Media Strategy & Design:
I specialise in setting businesses up on the Canva Platform which is designed to take your social media presence to new heights and maximise your business's potential to communicate effectively, engage your audience, and achieve a higher return on investment. I have several years of experience in social media management, including non-profit organisations, as well as with a variety of other businesses and organisations, in MedTech. Business, Industrial, etc, and have personal experience in my own business and supporting my clients in developing, designing and maintaining their own social media channels. I have worked directly with Marketing Directors to develop impactful campaigns and engaging artwork for social media outputs. I have developed a strong understanding of leveraging various platforms effectively to engage audiences and build meaningful connections through authentic storytelling and design underpinned with best practice principles. I am well versed in scheduling content across various channels, and I am experienced in Microsoft Office, Mailchimp. I have experience crafting, designing and sending engaging online newsletters and e-vites and have experience managing queries through online channels.
Thanks, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Design Thinking
