Before I became a tile maker, I made my living as a graphic designer. Since 1999, I have relied on my design skills to create print and web designs for Red Step Studio. I've also donated my services to various local community groups such as Seattle Tilth, Collective Visions Gallery, Bremerton Farmers Market and the Artisan Tile NW association.

A current project is book design and production. My family has hired me to assemble my father's memoirs, family photographs and memorabilia into a hardbound printed book. I am finding the work rewarding; it feels like I am getting back to my roots. The learning curve is challenging yet gentle, and I take great delight in coaxing the project towards completion. Some of the challenges include mastering Adobe's InDesign, researching the best way to digitize a mountain of 35 mm slides my father shot with his rangefinder during the 50's and 60's, and archival storage methods of historical papers. The page layouts are the fun part; I spent years refining this skill during my stint producing catalogs for the advertising department of Eddie Bauer.

So with all this current graphic design activity in my life, coupled with a decreasing desire to travel to arts & craft fairs to sell my tiles directly to the public, I've decided to hang out my graphic design shingle again; my strong suit is preparing anything for print- postcards, brochures, posters, business cards, signage and books. So, call or email next time you need help with a print project. 206 226 2642, or paula at redstep dot com.

P.S. I am still a tilemaker~ check "show schedule" page for the local shows and studio tours and "retail locations" for shops on the west coast that carry my tiles.