Empowering Girard Advertising with Strategic Visual Impact
When Girard Advertising needed a dependable, high-level creative to deliver fast, impactful design across a range of industries, they turned to me. This relationship has spanned over a decade, consistently meeting client demands and driving measurable results.
Key Highlights
Industry: Advertising & Multimedia Marketing
Location: Merrimack, NH
Employees: Small, specialized team
Background
Girard Advertising, LLC is an agency known for strategic, creative solutions that elevate brands. Led by President & CEO Karen Girard who brings over 20 years of marketing experience with a team offering tailored support for businesses of all sizes. They value results-driven creativity and a collaborative approach, making them an ideal fit for flexible partnerships like ours.
The Challenge
Girard Advertising needed a dependable, multi-skilled creative consultant who could:
• Deliver high-quality designs across multiple media platforms
• Meet fast-paced deadlines
• Jump in with little direction
• Understand diverse client industries and specs (print, digital, animation, and more)
• Offer both creative direction and production execution
They were seeking a solution that combined imaginative problem-solving with production expertise—and they needed it on-demand.
The Decision Process
Karen Girard discovered my work through a referral from a partner who praised my book cover illustration and print layout designs. She prioritized:
• Independent, initiative-taking designers
• Strong technical and design knowledge
• Availability on short notice
• Minimal back-and-forth collaboration
Ultimately, the decision was made by Karen Girard herself, with an emphasis on long-term reliability and professional versatility.
The Solution & Implementation
Over our 10+ year collaboration, I’ve provided a full spectrum of freelance design services:
• Ad campaigns, brand identities, and corporate collateral
• Logo development and direct marketing themes
• TV and social media assets, animation, and more
Every design was custom-crafted to suit the client’s vision, brand, and budget. My approach ensured:
• Consistent early delivery
• Enhanced brand engagement (up to 35% increased awareness)
• Seamless integration into their agency workflows
Landscape with typography overlay
Profile Logo Mark stylized "G" in diamond shape with sunrise-inspired frame
Social Post Template triangle corner accents echoing card design
Photo Post Template layout for content consistency and brand color alignment
Testimonial
"Donna is a great person to partner with."
“I’ve worked with Donna Marchand for many years. Her designs are always unique, and she takes time to understand each of my clients before she creates. She works within tight deadlines and budgets—even late at night when needed. That kind of service is rare and deeply appreciated. Donna is a true creative partner.”
— Karen A. Girard, President/CEO – Girard Advertising & Multimedia Production
“I’ve worked with Donna Marchand for many years. Her designs are always unique, and she takes time to understand each of my clients before she creates. She works within tight deadlines and budgets—even late at night when needed. That kind of service is rare and deeply appreciated. Donna is a true creative partner.”
— Karen A. Girard, President/CEO – Girard Advertising & Multimedia Production
Creative Work for Girard Advertising Clients Across Media Platforms
HM Motorworks – Visual Identity & Print Campaign
This comprehensive design project began with a complete redesign of the client’s punch-out postcard coupons, improving layout, impact, and brand consistency while working within a strict print template. Inspired by HM Motorworks’ signature hexagon logo, I developed a flexible visual system—using the beveled hexagon as a graphic frame across print, digital, and signage. The case study includes before-and-after postcard designs, a full seasonal coupon series, branded email graphics, digital banners, a billboard layout, and a custom-carved Jack-o’-lantern gifted to the client, turning thoughtful design into lasting brand engagement.
HM Logo Mark Background Pattern (Light & Dark Versions)
Step and Repeat Banner Designs stacked and horizontal HM logos
Postcard Series
Luxury-Level Upgrade Postcard Redesign with Premium Brand Appeal
Black Friday Punch-Out Coupon Card yellow sports car,, embedded HM mark
February Valentine’s Special fairy light-style hearts, hexagon frames, red-trimmed luxury car
Spring Bonus Savings yellow and green brand palette, floral accents, green luxury car
Summer A/C Postcard white SUV with sunrise view, mountain road, headline: “Summer Ride. Cooler Drive.”
Hand-Carved Logo Pumpkin Gift for Fall Branding
Seasonal brand engagement through a custom hand-carved jack-o-lantern featuring the client’s logo. Created as a seasonal gift idea to surprise and delight, turning brand identity into a memorable, handcrafted festive display.
Jack-O-Lantern Logo Cut-Out
Jack-O-Lantern Logo Stencil
Jack-O-Lantern Logo Carving in Progress
Jack-O-Lantern Logo Final Glow
Precision on Display for HM Motorworks Billboard
A bold, location-focused billboard showcasing HM Motorworks’ trusted expertise in luxury vehicle service and repair—designed to elevate brand presence across both locations.
Brand Identity Rooted in Warmth & Trust for Birch Family Dentistry
A thoughtfully designed logo blending a birch tree with symbolic family figures, bringing friendliness and calm to the dental experience. The soft sage palette and natural forms evoke care, balance, and comfort—making every detail from the logo to the appointment card feel reassuring and approachable.
Versatile logo mark variations in soft tints of sage and white reflect the brand’s natural warmth and adaptability across backgrounds.
Birch Family Dentistry Logo
M&M Restaurant Construction Services Identity and Marketing Design
This suite of designs for M&M Restaurant Construction Services showcases cohesive brand implementation across print, digital, and environmental media. From a custom trade show booth wrap with coordinated carpet branding to stationery, postcards, email headers, and rack cards, each piece reinforces a strong, professional visual identity tailored to the construction and hospitality industries.
Tradeshow Display and Wrap Around Booth Design
Logo Carpet Mockup
Tradeshow Display with Logo Carpet
Bold Business Card Design Echoing Logo Geometry
Letterheaad with Geometric Balance Enhancing Brand Precision
Blueprint-Inspired Design Reflecting Architectural Precision and Expert Craftsmanship
Geometric Design Showcasing Interior and Exterior Construction Excellence
Dynamic Email Header Designs Showcasing Construction Excellence
A rotating set of email headers featuring standout restaurant construction projects. Each design highlights a unique photo and includes a compelling call-to-action to explore the portfolio, perfect for keeping content fresh while spotlighting M&M’s craftsmanship and style versatility.
Freedom Cycle NH: Versatile Campaign Design Across Print and Digital
This multi-faceted campaign showcases a range of creative assets tailored for Freedom Cycle NH, from magazine ads in Trail Rider, to vibrant flyers for Kids Day events featuring STACYC and STRIDER bikes. Projects also includes a fast-paced Black Friday insert, branded coupon templates built for editable use in Word, and an animated web ad. Each piece reflects a consistent visual identity while serving the needs of both promotional impact and internal marketing efficiency.
Black Friday Blitz 100+ Ads Designed in Under 5 Days
This successful annual campaign showcases a high-impact Black Friday insert featuring over 100 individually designed ads—completed in under five days using only the provided images, copy, and pricing. Published in both the Union Leader and Concord Monitor, the two-sided insert required not only speed, but also brand consistency and visual clarity across a wide range of partner promotions.
2024 Black Friday Flyer Insert
2023 Black Friday Flyer Insert
2022 Black Friday Flyer Insert
Kids Event Flyer for STACYC & STRIDER
Eye-catching spring color flyer promoting Freedom Cycle’s kids event featuring STACYC and STRIDER bikes. Bold, branded, and family-friendly.
Editable Coupon Templates
Custom coupons with a bold branded layout and editable Word doc for fast, consistent in-house updates.
Coupon Background Designs
Coupon Layouts
Editable Word Doc Template
Animated "Everyone Rides Event"
Motion ad designed for Honda promotions at Freedom Cycle. Simple clean visuals with CTA to drive digital traffic.
Elevating Granite State Cabinetry’s Brand & 25th Anniversary
A refined brand update for Granite State Cabinetry, including a sleek GSC logo mark and a 25th anniversary variation to complement it. I designed elegant print ads for publications like NH Home Magazine, Greet Bedford, and NH Palace Program showcasing high-end kitchen and bath interiors. To celebrate their milestone, I created a nautical-themed anniversary suite: a custom anchor Save-the-Date, VIP invitation, and a history brochure, all aligned with the upscale event experience.
Refreshed GSC logo mark designed for timeless brand recognition
Professional folder layout for fast, high-quality production and easy turnaround
Nautical Theme VIP Anniversary Invitation & Commemorative Brochure
Designed for a luxury client celebration cruise, this custom invitation suite and commemorative bifold showcase brand storytelling through elegant design and cohesive nautical details.
25th Anniversary logo design with upscale nautical theme
Custom anchor graphic used as both theme element and photo frame
Nautical-themed Save the Date with integrated anniversary logo
Elegant VIP cruise invitation styled as a ticket for exclusive event
Modernized Print Ad Campaign for Granite State Cabinetry
A refreshed visual identity for GSC’s NH Home Magazine ads—balancing elegant layouts, minimal copy, and a sleek photo-forward frame that highlights their custom kitchen and living space designs.
Three tailored ad concepts for GSC, part of my flexible design process offering multiple refined options.
1/2-page GSC ad for Palace Theatre showcasing the refreshed anniversary logo.
Showcasing GSC's clean, upscale ad redesign with a spacious kitchen interior.
Contemporary full-page layout highlights two stunning kitchen designs by GSC.
TESTIMONIAL
"DONNA IS A GREAT PERSON TO PARTNER WITH"
“I have been working with Donna Marchand as my graphic designer for many years. Donna does an amazing job with design. I really like how her designs are always different and she takes time to understand each of my clients before she designs. She is always willing to work within tight timeframes and client budgets. She has even worked late at night on the occasional emergency. When you own a business, service like that is greatly appreciated. Donna is a great person to partner with for logos, corporate identity, ads and any type of creative design you can think of.."
-Karen A. Girard /President/CEO Girard Advertising & Multi Media Production