About Lionwood Visual
A passion for you and your message.
The ultimate purpose of any visual is to communicate. We do that through ascribing meaning and emotion to various symbols and structures. We then use those symbols and structures as packages that allow us to efficiently transmit our thoughts and ideas to each other. The shared understanding of what those symbols mean is what creates community. It is a powerful thought. The process of creating a symbol, giving it meaning and displaying it in various forms, brings us together. Lionwood Visual was founded in 2007 for that very purpose: visually bringing people together in community.
Having studied Sociology and Social Psychology in college, Lionwood's Owner and Principal, M. Shelby Blanton brings a unique insight to how design systems fit into our social world. How they are created, how they operate, and ultimately understanding if they are successful or not. This knowledge drives how we understand not only who you are and what you stand for, but also the best method and medium of communicating your message.
We now have over thirteen years of successful experience and expertise in our Phoenix, Arizona home.
Our long term clients can attest to that.
The term Lionwood is inspired by the mountain lion thriving in the forests of northern Arizona and a brief face-to-face encounter. It is this same place that Lionwood's owner found his place in the world.
Our Services
Do you have a visual story to tell? Whether it be via web, print or wearable, we look forward to collaborating with you and learning about your organization and your story. We can provide a fresh approach as we plan and execute the details of your needs.
Website Design & Development
Your primary marketing asset, we build modern, multi-device websites using the latest technology that virtually represents you 24 hours a day.
Print Media Design & Production
From a digital design file to life in the real world, we manage not only the design and layout, but also the entire process that ends with it in your hands.
Apparel & Screen Printing
Apparel design is an art form that requires a crucial attention to detail as it is wearable marketing that walks. Luckily, we are skilled in this required detail.
Company Brand Identity
We have helped many businesses establish a brand identity that is instantly recognizable and forges the connection between them and their customers.
Web Hosting & Domains
In addition to developing and programming websites, we also provide the space on the internet for them to reside and the domain name needed to find it.
Warehousing & Distribution
We also offer bulk print production, warehousing and distribution services for clients whom have recurring orders and strategic distribution needs.
Begin Your Visual Story
Every story has to start somewhere. It almost doesn’t matter how you start, it just matters that you do start.
So start your story with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does it cost to build a website?
There are 2 factors that determine how much a website will cost: how much work is involved (including the conceptual phase), and the size and complexity of your site. Some websites require a lot more customization than others:
- Custom content - Do you already have written content for your site or does it need to be developed?
- Custom design - Do you want a highly unique or unusual layout for your site that requires re-engineering the underlying site structure?
- Custom images and graphics - Do your images and graphics require specialized Photoshop effects, above and beyond standard cropping and resizing?
- Custom programming - Does your site require integration and rigorous testing with a 3rd-party application like a shopping cart or client scheduling system?
That being said, most websites fall within the $2,500-$6,000 range (hosting, domain and maintenance contract not included).
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What is a CMS (Content Management System)?
One of the first things that we ask in the on-boarding phase is "Who is going to be tasked with updating the website content?". If you have a staff member that does not have high-level programming skills and will be responsible for updating the content of your website, then your website structure will require a Content Management System that will allow them to log in and make changes to the site.
If not, then one cost saving measure is to omit the CMS upon the initial build out and simply build quarterly website updates into the maintenance contract.
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Why shouldn't I just build my website with a site builder like Wix,
SquareSpace, GoDaddy or Weebly?
There's nothing wrong with building your website on a platform like Wix or SquareSpace. If you want to keep costs down by doing it creating it yourself, you have the time on hand to do so, and your site isn't overly complex, those are perfectly fine options. However, it is important to note that you are going to be quite limited in your ability to adjust your site's level of customization, either aesthetically or functionally. And, as your business grows, you may outgrow what these builders can offer and may have to pay for an all new website using a completely new structure.
For example, perhaps you wanted to offer online courses from your website using a custom LMS (learning management system), or maybe you see a cool effect on another website that you would like to incorporate into your website. Site structures like Wix or SquareSpace limit the ability to add new options.
In the long run, it makes more sense to build a stand-alone website that can be built upon in the future. Lionwood Visual only builds self-hosted websites using the latest technology so that any customization can be achieved now or later.
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Why do I need a mobile responsive website?
Having a website that is not mobile-friendly or responsive is not only one of the quickest ways show you are behind the times and out of touch, but it also means you miss out on new technology that helps your audience connect with your website. In late 2016 mobile/tablet internet usage overtook desktop usage for the first time worldwide: 51.3% to 48.7%.
Consumers today expect a website to be able to provide basic advanced functionality:
- Be able to click a phone number on a website and have it automatically call that number
- Have website addresses auto-populate into their phone's map app for one click navigation
- Be able to shop and buy items without having to constantly adjust the screen to zoom in and out on a product
A mobile-ready website is no longer “a nice thing to have”, instead it is a requirment of doing business today.
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How do I update and manage my website after it goes live?
Your website is never complete. Change is a fact of life and business and your website is no different. When it comes to updates, you have two options:
- Do-it-yourself. If you or someone on your staff are somewhat tech-savvy, you can update and add new content yourself. There are tons of tutorials and how-to videos online.
- Have Lionwood do it. Once your website has gone live, we will negotiate a maintenance package to cover any the work required and timelines for any future updates.
At The Helm
M. Shelby Blanton
Owner & PrincipalFavorite Quote: "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." - John Adams
Lionwood Visual LLC is comprised of an associated team of distinguished and proven industry professionals and organizatons that hold themselves to a high standard of quality and excellence. This team is lead and facilitated by our Owner and Principal, M. Shelby Blanton.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Shelby has earned several degrees that serve to inform a designer's strategic eye. Those degrees include:
- A Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Sociology with an Emphasis in Social Development & Change (2000, Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff, Arizona)
- An Associate of Arts Degree in Visual Communications (2007, Collins College - Tempe, AZ)
- A Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design (2008, Collins College - Tempe, AZ)
In addition, Shelby has also pursued graduate work in Applied Sociology with an emphasis in Symbolic Interactionism (2000 - 2002, Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff, Arizona).
Some of Shelby's most notable accomplishments include serving as Executive Director for Festivities & Identity for the PHX 2008 NAGAAA Softball World Series and many years of production and publication of various magazines ('N Touch News Magazine, Parent's Resource Guide Phoenix Metro Edition, etc.).
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you! Whether you have a question about options, technical capabilities, pricing or anything else, we are here to help! We will answer any question or address any concern that you might have. Just drop us a line below and we will be in touch as soon as possible!
Lionwood Visual LLC
A Full Service Design, Programming and Production Studio for Print, Web & Apparel
Web Development, Design, Programming, Hosting & Domain Registration; Print Media Design, Production, Warehousing & Distribution; Apparel Printing & Embroidery; Corporate Logos & Brand Identity Systems.
shelby@lionwoodvisual.com
(602) 413-0954
Image Credits
1st Background -
Photo by Stefan Pflaum on Unsplash