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Established in 1994, Alvalyn Creative is a nationally-acclaimed design and illustration studio located near Thousand Oaks, California, that creates compelling, effective visual communications for print and digital media.

Alvalyn Lundgren is the founder and visual evangelist. She is known for her depth of creative thinking, breadth of expertise and excellence in crafting the right solution. Clients deploy her work to grow their businesses, increase their influence and draw attention to their goods and services.

Alvalyn is a well-rounded, seasoned professional known for intelligent design solutions, delightful and brilliant illustrations, common sense, and easy communication. She excels in the ability to bring an idea to life, to tell a story and engage the viewer via colorful narrative illustrations. She establishes every design solution upon solid aesthetic principles, achieving balance, order and beauty which support the design’s function and lead to effective results for the client.

Her clients include the City of Los Angeles; California State University, Northridge; Southern California Edison; Conejo Valley Days; New West Symphony; Downtown Santa Monica; Malibu Chamber of Commerce; Meeting Professionals International — Southern California Chapter; and  the Ventura County Community Foundation.

She is a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and has completed additional coursework in design thinking and in marketing at Stanford University and Wharton College, respectively.

Since 1993 she has served as an adjunct instructor at UCLA Extension teaching courses in design theory, color theory, design history and drawing, and is developing online curriculum in those subjects which she is launching under her own brand.

Consultations

✔ Do you want to discuss ideas before committing to a full design project?

✔ Do you want help with design or brand strategy for your business or organizattion?

✔ Are you a creative freelancer wanting advice on your portfolio, marketing and promotion, vision and mission, setting goals, or business skills?

✔ Are you a student in need of some extra help with color theory or design theory?

✔ Do you want an honest and practical portfolio review?

I offer consultations and mentoring on a per-instance basis. Consultations are via phone or Skype. Portfolio reviews are via Skype, or, if the student is local, in person.

➧ 45-minute pre-project design strategy session: $327.00

➧ Graphic audit of your existing visual assets, with recommendations: $1,750.00

➧ 45-minute student/graduate portfolio review $250.00

➧ 45-minute business tune-up for creative freelancers: $327.00

Full payment is required in advance.

Design is not decoration.

Just because someone labels it “design” does not mean that it is design, and not all design is good design. Good design and illustration get noticed, and elevate the entity they represent. Design is not decoration.

The difference between design and decoration is a matter of function. Decoration looks good while design and illustration inform, engage, educate, motivate, excite, compel, move, impact and surprise. They add value and are assets to a business. 

To be effective, design and illustration require intelligent creative thinking, and are the result of good judgement, evaluation, analysis and the strategic application of aesthetic principles.

—Alvalyn Lundgren

If You Are Looking For A Reliable Creative Partner…

I am currently accepting retainer contracts. The advantage of a retainer relationship is that I am able to invest in my clients’ success over the long term, and my clients can benefit from consistent billing, ongoing work and the assurance that all their visual branding and marketing communicates are consistent no matter what channel and platform. Retainer relationships are ideal for small- to mid-size businesses and companies that need more reliability than project-based designers provide, along with the scope of services that design agencies provide.

The majority of my new clients are referred by my existing clients. I also advertise and promote my work and creative services. To join my email list, click here. 

All my work is custom-designed and tailored specifically for each client. I am worth the investment you make.

I guarantee my estimates within 15% of the original, as long as the project scope does not change. If a project scope is amended or altered, I will supply a change order before proceeding.

I don’t offer discounts. I offer value.

I don’t work on spec. If you are not sure we’re the right fit, for a fee I can create a limited number of concepts to help you decide whether to proceed with a fully-realized project or retainer.

I do not pitch or compete with other designers for a project. My portfolio proves my thinking, skill and creative ability.

I don’t respond to RFPs. Instead, I consult with the client and develop a creative brief that addresses the needs and goals of the project and allows for the necessary research, concept development, testing, design development and production.

I require a non-refundable advance of at least 50% before I begin a project.

I do not accept every project offered to me, or every client who is referred.

My Article Content

Clients and students alike ask about my approach and philosophy, and how I have been able to stay in business for so long. These are the things I write about on my blog, Eye Level. My focus there is on helping you understand the substance of design, the designer-client relationship and how to manage your design assets. I also create content to help fellow and emerging creatives launch and maintain their freelance businesses.

My 5 Most Popular Blog Posts

• The Sustainability of Paper
• How to Stay Inspired
• Advice For Emerging Designers
• A Brief Comparison of Copyright and Trademark
• A Bit About Ropes

Portrait Commissions

Do you want a portrait of yourself, a loved one, celebrity or hero? Visit my portrait commissions page to learn about my process and creative fees.

I am developing several projects and product offerings, mentoring and courses. To receive information on these join my email list.

Alvalyn Lundgren has worked on numerous projects for Van Nuys Airport Public and Community Relations. The considerable scope of her work has included one-page ads and flyers, brochures and pamphlets, and a comprehensive academic journal with a full-color cover and over 100 pages. In every sense, we have found her to be a reliable professional who produces aesthetically pleasing material in a timely manner. She also makes herself very accessible and communicates well. Without the slightest hesitation, I would recommend Ms. Lundgren as a one-stop-shop for meeting virtually anyone’s graphic design needs.

— Richard French | Public & Community Relations Officer —
City of Los Angeles Department of Airports