Meet Our Website Designer
Danielle Benton, you have already had an incredible career as a musical theatre artist. When did your passion for design begin?
I've always been in awe of beautiful design and the people who create it. I randomly started working with design software when I was living in Vancouver and side-hustling as a photographer's assistant. She taught me how to photoshop images and I became obsessed. In 2011, I started to work as a freelance graphic designer, which I soon discovered was the best because I could still perform yet have this fun, creative, and completely separate side job that I could do remotely.
What is it about website design that excites you the most?
Everything, haha! There are so many facets to the process, which I didn't even realize until I went to school for it. So I guess I would say the entire process: working with the brand/company to discover the style and aesthetic they'd like to portray, telling their story in their voice, planning the structural architecture of the site for the best user experience, keyword research (SO interesting, who knew?!), and implementing all of the little tricks for proper SEO - then finally seeing it all come together! #geekingout
What do you think your greatest strength is as a designer?
Oh geez... well, as much as I personally love a very specific type of aesthetic, I think a strength of mine is being able to listen to the client and how they visual their brand and translate that valuable information into a custom, cohesive, effective, and user friendly web experience.
I think I know the answer to this but...What made you choose Norfolk Design Co.?
Haha, you definitely know the answer. My husband and I just purchased our first home in November and we couldn't love it more. It's an adorable, 100 year old beauty that has all the charm in the world and it's located on Norfolk Street. Fun fact, we bought it from you, haha!
Where can people reach you if they are hoping (or smart enough) to have a fabulous site designed by you?
I've been lucky enough to have my little agency working full time through word of mouth, but because of that, we haven't even had time to build our own site yet! So stay tuned for that! In the meantime, you can reach me at: danielle@norfolkdesignco.com
And just for fun… What is your favourite colour combo? Word or quote? And website?
Ooo fun!
Colour combo: I'm a minimalist to the core, so I love greys, black/white, and subtle, muted colours.
Quote: Be kind. Work hard. Do good.
Website: I'm currently obsessed with the portfolio section of the Belancio Strategy + Design website - it's been nominated for a bunch of web awards including the Awwwards and the Web Excellence Awards. You can find it here, if you want to geek out with me: https://www.belancio.com/clients/curology/
I am so inspired by you, Danielle, as an artist, and a woman who found another passion (outside of the theatre industry), followed it through, and made a career of it. We at ETC are very grateful for the beautiful website you have given us, the guidance on how to keep it current, and we wish you all the best on your adventures with NORFOLK DESIGN COMPANY.