Notebook

A working collection of ideas, insights, and articles from Simon Bailey Design.

Filter Notebook articles by:

Design Thinking

Private Education

Charities and NFP

Software and I.T.

Why smart tech brands still print

Why smart tech brands still print

2 minute read

In a digital-first world, it's easy to assume print has no place in a tech company's marketing mix. But the brands that show up consistently, across every channel and every format, are the ones that build trust.

How data merge in Adobe InDesign can transform your direct mail

How data merge in Adobe InDesign can transform your direct mail

2 minute read

Most charities and NFPs know the power of a personal touch, but personalised direct mail usually means hiring a direct mail provider, or mailing house. Adobe InDesign's Data Merge feature changes that.

Three ways your NFP website could be doing more

Three ways your NFP website could be doing more

2 minute read

Your NFP website should work as hard as you do. From personalised content to automated campaign banners, here are three ways smarter WordPress design decisions can save your team time, reward loyal supporters, and make every visitor feel understood.

Your school uses Canva. But do you have a brand kit?

Your school uses Canva. But do you have a brand kit?

2 minute read

If your school uses Canva but doesn't have a Brand Kit set up, your brand consistency is probably all over the place. Simon Bailey Design can fix that, and give your whole team the peace of mind that everything looks like it belongs together.

AI in school marketing: a helpful tool, and a potential brand disaster

AI in school marketing: a helpful tool, and a potential brand disaster

2 minute read

AI is a genuinely useful tool for school marketing teams, but it comes with real risks that are easy to overlook. Here's what you need to know, and how to get the balance right.

The designer who lives inside your brand

The designer who lives inside your brand

2 minute read

Most design relationships start from zero, every time. A new brief, a style guide attachment, a round of corrections. Simon Bailey Design works differently: as a consistent creative presence that builds familiarity with your brand over time, so the work arrives right and the friction disappears.

Not an agency. Not a freelancer. Something better.

Not an agency. Not a freelancer. Something better.

2 minute read

There's a gap between hiring an agency and hiring a freelancer. A lot of marketing managers quietly suffer in it. Simon Bailey Design sits right in that sweet spot: senior creative capability, a single point of contact, and no agency overhead. Just reliable design work from someone who knows your brand.

How to give great feedback on your design work

How to give great feedback on your design work

2 minute read

Vague design feedback costs time, money, and more than a few revision rounds. Simon Bailey Design shares a simple, structured approach to giving feedback that keeps projects on track, on budget, and a lot less stressful.

Fillable PDF forms

Fillable PDF forms

2 minute read

Tired of paper trails and manual data entry? Simon Bailey Design creates custom fillable PDF forms that save time, cut costs, and keep your business looking professional, trusted by clients in Education, Finance, and Corporate sectors.

Website content planner

Website content planner

1 minute read

Getting your website content right from the start makes all the difference. Use this handy guide to organise everything Simon Bailey Design needs from you, from page structure and SEO details to images, calls-to-action, and special features.

WordPress toolkit

WordPress toolkit

1 minute read

Simon Bailey Design's curated WordPress toolkit, trusted hosting, themes, plugins, and security tools chosen after years of real client work. Here's what made the cut.

A simple manifesto

A simple manifesto

1 minute read

Why did you create such a simple site, Simon?