5 year plan
Who am I and what do I do?
My name is Victoria Clegg, I am a Graphic Designer from Blackburn with a passion for printing and production.
I am the creator and designer of Green Eye Designs and specialise in personalised event stationery and prints for all occasions.
I offer a personalised start-to-finish experience, from the design all the way through to production.
Business card/cup
Initially I purchased the full website including PayPal/basket button which had all the products and prices on. I have since removed this option due to the pandemic and will add this back once I start building clients up again.
Engaging with the professional world
Interview with the Head of Graphics at UK Vapour brands: Whilst studying at university I started looking for some part time work for a few days a week. I noticed that there was a job opening for a graphic designer at my old work place. I arranged an interview which went really well and was asked to send some of my work over.
Although the interview went well as did the numerous phone calls to one another, a full time employment was needed for the position and unfortunately it wasn’t possible whilst I was studying.
Lecture we attended this year with Rob Watson: I had a lecture with graphic designer Rob Watson from RAW design studio. This was really inspiring and helpful for me and my project as the company promotes that doing nice and good things for others helps you feel good in yourself.
Rob also has a do good pod cast which shares inspiring stories and good news unlike other news channels which was exactly the type of thing I needed. I did have a little chat with him after the lecture obviously not recorded but I got some great advice from him and started to follow him on instagram etc.
Website: I had already planned and made a start on setting up my business creating personalised event stationery and vinyl bespoke prints. My logo was re-designed last semester as i noticed a few issues with spacing and inconsistency.
I purchased a business email: info@greeneyedesigns.co.uk.
I created accounts on social media for Facebook, Instagram and twitter to promote my business.
I spent a lot of time on the government website looking into self-employment and new business set ups etc before writing a full business plan with my objectives, strategies, sales, marketing and financial forecasts.
I researched help with finance, possible grants and start up loans. I registered with HM Revenue and customs as self employed and decided that my type of business would be a sole trader. (Victoria Clegg T/A Green eye designs). I have received a UTR code and will need to do my tax self assessment every 12 month along with insurance and working tax credits.
I have purchased most of my equipment, a wire binding machine, an 8 in 1 heat press machine, craft tools and stationery, transfer sheets, mugs, t shirts, an eco tank sublimation printer and a Cameo 4 desktop vinyl cutting machine which cuts vinyl, card stock, fabrics and much more, I have produced lots of items which have been photographed and listed on the website.
When I started producing more stock, I realised I hadn’t really considered prices for my items, and how time consuming each piece takes. This led me to look into other craft based and event stationery companies and what they charge etc. I joined lots of forums and social media groups whom are all in the same area of business which have proved really helpful.
I browse the groups daily for updates, help and inspiration, in fact one of these groups shared a post about a craft pricing calculator app (which I downloaded) to help me with pricing my items. You simply enter the total cost of materials used, the number of handcrafted items and how long it takes to make each, and it then gives a fair price you should charge without undervaluing my time.
I discovered in the forums and feedback that I had also not thought about customer expectations, policies or returns especially on personalised items. I looked into this then updated the returns and shop policies on my website, created application instruction’s for vinyl and HTV products which will be sent out with every order and a disclaimer will also be sent out for large orders like weddings or parties prior to production and also for personalised gifts/items that will cover me for customer mistakes etc.
Victoria Clegg 