Your legacy. Crafted.
WEAR A LITTLE GREEN ISLE HISTORY
Celebrate Green Isle Heritage Festival wherever you go! Our limited-edition Heritage Festival T-shirt and Hoodies is here—designed with a little hometown pride, a little nostalgia, and a whole lot of Green Isle spirit.
Get yours and wear the story.
SHOP HERITAGE FESTIVAL T-SHIRT and HOODIES →
Creative Projects
Freelance Design
Case Study – Green Isle Heritage Festival
Industry: Community Event / Local Heritage
Challenge:
The Green Isle Heritage Festival had an existing design element that had been created previously, but needed to be developed into a complete and cohesive visual identity for the festival. With a wide variety of activities—including live music, a craft fair, children’s activities, historical exhibits, games, and community events—the festival needed a flexible design system that could work across many different types of promotional materials while maintaining a consistent and recognizable look.
Solution:
I took an existing design element and expanded it into a complete festival design package. Working within the established direction, I developed a cohesive visual system through typography, color, layout, and supporting graphic elements. The design incorporated an autumn-inspired, heritage aesthetic while allowing individual festival activities to have their own visual personality. I then carried that system across a wide range of applications, including flyers, event signage, banners, social media graphics, vendor materials, and printed promotional pieces.
Result:
The completed design package transformed a single existing design element into a unified visual identity for the entire festival. The consistent system created a recognizable and professional presence across both print and digital materials while still feeling warm, nostalgic, and distinctly connected to the character of Green Isle. Individual event pieces could stand on their own while remaining clearly part of the larger Heritage Festival brand.
Freelance Website
Since handoff, the client may have made changes to the site’s content and layout. The images provided show the design as it appeared at launch.
Case Study – Giant Oak Cabin
Industry: Vacation Rental by Owner
Challenge:
The client’s previous website lacked a clear identity, with a cluttered header that appeared unprofessional. Feedback from others also noted that the design failed to showcase the beautiful views through the rental's large windows
Solution:
I developed a cohesive visual identity with a new logo, reimagined the header, and refined the design with a minimal aesthetic. I also photographed the space, using natural light and window features as a central visual focus throughout the design.
Result:
With a strong visual identity and a focus on the vacation rental's windows and lake views, the site now feels polished, engaging, and inviting to potential visitors
Freelance Design
Case Study – 41 Loaves Bakery
Industry: Artisan Bakery
Challenge:
The client was updating her original logo and had an initial concept she wanted to explore. She needed help developing that idea into a cohesive, polished visual identity that would strengthen the organization’s professional presence.
Solution:
Through conversation and close collaboration with the client, I helped conceptualize and refine her initial idea, translating it into a finished logo and cohesive visual identity. Together, we explored the direction until the final design felt authentic to the organization and aligned with her vision.
Result:
The resulting identity gave the organization a polished, professional presence while remaining true to the client’s original vision. The collaborative process also created a visual identity that felt personal, intentional, and recognizable across promotional materials.
Case Study – The Farmer & The Artist
Industry: Faith-Based Storytelling / Personal Brand
Challenge:
Develop a way to communicate meaningful truths about faith, creativity, and life through authentic stories rooted in everyday experiences.
Solution:
I developed The Farmer & The Artist as an ongoing storytelling series built around the unexpected parallels between farming, creativity, faith, and everyday life. Each story uses authentic experiences from the farm and creative work as a starting point for communicating a deeper truth. Through thoughtful storytelling, visual direction, and simple, honest imagery, the series creates space for ideas to connect naturally rather than simply being explained.
Result:
The series provides an ongoing creative platform for sharing meaningful stories and connecting faith with everyday life. Individual pieces have reached new audiences organically, with this video receiving 1,617 views, reaching 1,347 viewers, and generating 91 engagements. The project demonstrates how intentional storytelling can turn ordinary experiences into meaningful brand content.
Storytelling Series
Case Study – Harvest Community Church
Industry: Religious Institution
Challenge:
The client’s existing site was cluttered and didn’t reflect the congregation, making it less effective in attracting newcomers.
Solution:
I moved away from the field-focused aesthetic and designed a clean, minimal layout that highlighted the church community by featuring people of different ages who actually attend, rather than relying heavily on stock harvest imagery.
Result:
The clean, minimal look gave the church a more professional and inviting online presence
Church Website
Since handoff, the client may have made changes to the site’s content and layout. The images here show the design as it appeared at launch.
Freelance Design
Case Study – Back to Ground
Industry: Conservation Cemetery Nonprofit
Challenge:
The client sought a visual identity to enhance the memorability of their promotional materials and project a more professional image
Solution:
I developed a cohesive visual identity including a logo and color palette that unified their promotional materials, increased brand recognition, and elevated the organization’s professional presence
Result:
The new identity gave the organization a polished, professional presence and made their promotional materials more recognizable and engaging, helping them better connect with their potential clientele
”Julia was highly professional, creative, and flexible. She was good at interpreting what we needed in a logo and able to bring additional considerations to the table. Her willingness to problem solve relating to concerns from different members of our team was so appreciated, and her generous response to our wanting to get it 'just right' was really above-and-beyond. She was efficient and understanding of deadlines. We plan to work with her again.”
- Jennifer
★★★★★
Creative Work
Freelance Designer
Dahlke Studios
2009 - Present
Creating unique designs that reflect my clients' visions and values
Director of Creative Communications
Oakwood Community Church
2021
Increased weekly Facebook reach from 1,100 to 2,500 between Q1 and Q2
Produced a promotional Easter video that reached over 4.6K views
Designed all printed and digital communications for marketing and social media
Communications Director
Westbrook Community Church
2019
Increased weekly Facebook reach from 1,100 to 2,500 between Q1 and Q2
Produced a promotional Easter video that reached over 4.6K views
Designed all printed and digital communications for marketing and social media
Frequently Asked Questions
What services do you offer?
I provide freelance graphic and web design services, specializing in ministry and nonprofit sites.
What is your design style?
My design style is earthy, simple, and creative, allowing room to showcase my creativity.
How can I contact you?
You can contact me through my website's contact form or via email for inquiries about projects.
Do you work with other industries?
Yes, I am open to bringing my creative flair to various projects beyond ministry and church sites.
What is your design process?
I start by listening to your needs and vision, then create custom designs for you to review. You’ll see a first draft early on, with room for feedback and revisions. I work hard to keep projects on schedule, though extra rounds of edits may extend timelines.
What is your project timeline?
Project timelines vary based on complexity, but I strive to deliver quality work in a timely manner.
Design
Creative graphic and web design solutions.
Contact
julia@dahlkestudios.com
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