Graphic Design: Our background

EDITORIAL DESIGN is the background we come from at Smythtype Design. It is a category of graphic art distinct from PROMOTIONAL DESIGN whose aim is to grab your attention long enough to sell you something or inform you about something.

Both categories of design have their purposes and we enjoy working in both. But editorial design doesn't just convey the message it embodies the message, and sometimes it needs to disappear into the experience of reading and not keep drawing attention to itself. It is not an end in itself: it is a process. This is especially true of book design, our particular passion.

We believe this sensitivity to content and how design can best serve our client's content is a key reason Smythtype Design has succeeded in the crowded, constantly changing field of graphic design and production for over 20 years.

Web Design: Our attitude

Coming from book and magazine design and production gives us a particular point-of-view in the world of web sites, blogs, fan pages and social media generally.

We love abstract art but not when surfing the internet looking for information or trying to buy something. Less is (usually) more, clean is almost always better than busy, and if words are involved you ought to be able to read them without effort.

If a template exists that works for your web site we're happy to use it and fill it with original content saving you time and money. If your project requires starting from scratch we will work with you from the coding up to create the unique site that serves your purposes best.