David Riccio, Principal
John Canning Co.
Perfecting Preservation
There was an immediate connection when we started working together many years ago that I attribute to Darlene’s ability to listen and understand our values and marketing needs. In a business where knowledge, skill, and commitment to quality are often perceived as “too expensive,” she helped us present our capabilities to clients as smart business choices that help control project budgets and increase quality outcomes. She also set a written tone of approachability and collaboration that feels personal and natural for us. Her knowledge of art, and architecture – and our competitors – has led to successful strategies and effective messages for project proposals, award submissions, scholarly presentations, delicate correspondence, and general marketing – like our website – where her design aesthetic supports her words.
Kermit Thompson, FAIA
Thompson | Edwards Architects
I am extremely excited about being selected as an AIA Fellow. Your assistance was a significant element in the selection. Without your guidance, editorial expertise, prodding, and graphic design of the final document, I doubt that I would have been able to put a successful application together. You earned and deserve credit for a superb and successful application. Thank you.
Mike Miller, Founder, ptownie.com
Real Estate Developer, Agent
Top Reasons I Loved working with Darlene on ptownie.com:
Trust – when you know you have a partner in a project who has your back;
Adult – years of understanding the intersection of technology and effective communication;
Solutions – digging and researching until she finds the definitive answer
Writing – she is a SUPERB writer – concise, wise, and persuasive;
Creative – clever, funny and sophisticated was our ambitious goal and she conquered it;
Design – understands and excels at balancing beauty and function;
Smart – I needed someone really smart for this challenging project and I could not have done it without her.
Anna Sanko, Exec. Director
Architecture Resource Center
Having a professionally designed presence helped establish the ARC’s design education credibility with funders and school systems from the very beginning. Darlene is a founding board member and has been responsible for branding the ARC in a professional, credible manner since 1992. Taking charge of marketing communications, her efforts in defining and positioning the ARC have contributed to successful national, state, and local grant applications; program promotion; curriculum textbooks and workbooks; festival publications; design-education workshops; presentations; awards; and, digital and printed marketing materials. She has also created curriculum programs for grades 9-12, teaching students and teachers about Logo Design and Motivational Poster Design.
Timothy R. Wooldridge
TR Wooldridge Interiors
With patience and sensitivity to my aversion to technology and marketing, Darlene helped me understand the importance of having a credible online presence for business in our digital world. Careful not to overwhelm me, she also served as project photographer, putting me and my clients at ease with her warm, unobtrusive manner. I confidently send people to my website knowing that everything about it authentically represents me and my work.
Elisabeth Nicholas, Owner
Arni Furnishings
With Darlene’s insight, I was able to take advantage of an unexpected business opportunity. She branded and repositioned my company’s long-standing, institutional contract furnishings service to appeal to architects and designers. For the Arni Furnishings website, she created a video collage of products and textures combined to suggest upscale interiors suitable for hospitality and assisted living environments. The simple, scrolling homepage introduces our capabilities and encourages prospects to contact us.