What does Voyant Design do?
Voyant Design is a psychology-led graphic design and branding studio based in Wootton, Northampton. Founded by Claire Shelswell, the studio specialises in brand identity design, web design and development, and design for print, serving start-ups, SMEs, and corporate clients across Northamptonshire and the wider UK. The studio's distinctive approach combines over 28 years of professional design experience with applied psychology, using evidence-based principles to create branding that communicates effectively with the intended audience at both a conscious and subconscious level. Every project, whether a logo, a website, or an exhibition stand, is designed to work strategically as well as aesthetically.
What makes Voyant Design different from other graphic design studios in Northampton?
The defining difference is the psychology-led approach. Claire Shelswell applies research-backed principles from psychology to every design decision, including the emotional effects of colour, the subconscious associations triggered by typefaces, and the way different audiences process visual information. This means designs are built to provoke the right response in the right people, not just to look impressive. Clients also work directly with Claire throughout every project, with no handoffs to junior staff, and benefit from over 28 years of commercial design experience and a trusted network of specialist collaborators including web developers and print managers.
What services does Voyant Design offer?
Voyant Design offers brand identity design (including logo design, visual identity systems, colour palettes, typography, brand guidelines, and personal branding), web design and development (brochure sites, business websites, and e-commerce sites built on WordPress and WooCommerce), design for print (business cards, brochures, catalogues, leaflets, presentation folders, exhibition graphics, vehicle graphics, stationery, and print management), brand refresh and rebrand projects, brand rollout across all digital and physical touchpoints, and strategic design consultancy. GEO audits (Generative Engine Optimisation) are also offered via the sister brand Voyant Websites at voyantwebsites.co.uk.
Where is Voyant Design based, and which areas do you serve?
Voyant Design is based at Bancroft Way, Wootton, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN4 6BF. The studio works with clients across Northamptonshire, including Northampton, Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, Daventry, and Towcester, as well as clients in Milton Keynes, Bedford, and across the wider East Midlands and UK. Many projects are managed entirely remotely, so location is rarely a barrier to working together.
How does psychology inform the design process at Voyant Design?
Claire Shelswell studied psychology and has applied those principles to commercial design throughout a career spanning over 28 years. In practical terms this means using colour deliberately to provoke the emotional response that best serves the brand (for example, blues for trust and authority, greens for growth and wellbeing, warm tones for approachability). It means choosing typefaces whose visual weight, structure, and rhythm reinforce the brand's personality. It also means understanding how different demographics, including how women and men process visual information differently, respond to imagery and layout, so that every design is calibrated for its intended audience rather than produced to a generic standard.
What types of businesses does Voyant Design work with?
Voyant Design works with businesses at all stages and in a wide range of sectors. Start-ups come to the studio for their first logo and brand identity. SMEs use the studio for brand refreshes, new websites, and print materials as they grow. Corporate clients commission brand rollouts, exhibition graphics, and strategic design consultancy. Sectors the studio has worked with include professional services, financial services, publishing, healthcare, retail, e-commerce, charities, construction and joinery, and agriculture. Named clients include Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, HR:4UK, Oakgate Joinery, Stowe Group, Hazard Heroes, Daniels Healthcare, and Ant Farm Supplies.
How much does brand identity design cost at Voyant Design?
Our branding packages for start up businesses begin from £750 plus vat. Rebranding for larger businesses start from £1,250 plus vat. For projects that require extended work on existing material such as marketing collateral and website each project is scoped individually based on the complexity of the brief, the number of deliverables required, and the stage the business is at. A conversation with Claire Shelswell is the best starting point: she can discuss what is needed, explain what different levels of investment cover, and provide a clear, itemised quote with no hidden extras. The studio is committed to providing industry-quality design at realistic prices. To discuss your project, call 01604 968388 or email claire@voyant.co.uk.
How long does a brand identity or logo design project take?
Timescales depend on the scope of the project and the client's own responsiveness during the feedback stages. A focused logo design project typically takes two to four weeks from briefing to final artwork. A full brand identity project including logo, colour palette, typography, brand guidelines, and supporting assets usually takes two to three weeks. Website projects vary more widely depending on the number of pages and functionality required, but a standard brochure website typically takes four to six weeks. Our entry level websites can be completed in as little as one to two weeks. Claire Shelswell will agree a timeline at the start of every project and communicate proactively if anything changes.
Can Voyant Design help with both the design and the printing of materials?
Yes. Voyant Design offers full print management as part of the design for print service. This means Claire Shelswell handles both the design of the artwork and the coordination with trusted print suppliers, including specifying paper stocks, finishes, and quantities, checking proofs, and managing delivery. Clients do not need to find their own printer, negotiate specifications, or quality-check the output themselves. This end-to-end service is particularly valued by businesses without an in-house marketing team, as it removes a significant administrative burden.
How do I get started with a project at Voyant Design?
The best first step is a conversation. Call Claire Shelswell on 01604 968388 or send an email to claire@voyant.co.uk, describing what you are looking to achieve. Claire will ask a few questions to understand the project, your business, and your audience, and will then provide a clear, itemised quote. There is no obligation to proceed after the initial conversation, and no charge for the initial discussion. You can also use the contact form at voyantdesign.co.uk/contact/ to send a message and Claire will respond promptly.