Welcome, my name is Darren Miller, product designer, graphic designer, maker, licensed handyman.

It’s a mouthful, I know, but that’s the lot of a multipotentialite. In specialist terms I’m a Designer-maker and I hold the reins at Make•Do Studio.

Taking you through the 25+ years of my professional life in this forum may get a little tedious, so I’ll happily share my experience in more detail over a coffee, or better still a cold beer, should we meet face-to-face. That said, if you need to satisfy your curiosity now, click here.

Answers to some often asked questions.

I’m still a bit unclear, what services do you actually offer?

Ok, there’s a few ways you can interact with Make•Do Studio.

Firstly, we can be commissioned to answer a specific design brief, either supplied or we can help you through the process of writing it. Following are examples of typical projects we’ve undertaken:

Design and produce bespoke hand-made furniture for the home or office.
Tackle a project that requires a creative solution to a specific need.
Up-cycle a favourite old item, changing its purpose or bringing it back to life.
Conceive a new logo for your organisation and any associated stationery.
Put together marketing collateral – such as a brochure, newsletter, flyer, poster or banner.
Establish a web presence for your organisation.

But, if you’re wondering if we might be able to create something for you – it can’t hurt to ask.

Secondly, Darren is a licensed handyman, so we can attend to those repair or maintenance jobs around the house that you don’t have the time or expertise to complete. For more information check out the Make•Do & Fix It page.

Also, there’s the Studio Store where we intend to have items for sale from time-to-time. Be sure to check back periodically, follow us through one of the social media platforms, or join our mailing list to stay updated.

But are you still doing Graphic Design and Websites?

Yes, is the short answer. We’re always happy to listen to a brief and work out if we’re a good fit for the client.

Experience has shown that best results happen when there is a connection between designer and client; basically we need to be on the same page.

Working collaboratively with like-minded clients makes the job extremely rewarding and worthwhile for us, and if we’re doing it right you.

People and industries that we’ve had success with in the past are:

Artists and galleries
Not-for-profit groups and charities
Tourism and hospitality
Makers and artisans
Agribusiness
Environmental or nature-based businesses
Sports clubs and associations

If you put your heart and soul into what you do, we get that, and really enjoy working with you.

View some of our completed Graphic & Web Design projects here

How does the process work?

Central to our design methodology is to listen. After all, you need to live with the final result and be happy, even proud to use it.

At an initial meeting to discuss the project, we’ll ask some appropriate questions in order to establish the scope of the job. Depending on the complexity of the project a detailed design brief maybe required, either you’ll supply that or we can help you through the process of creating one. We’ll then provide you with a cost estimate and once approved, idea generation commences.

Presentation of the concept(s) follows, and once you’re happy with the direction we commence bringing the concept to reality.

If third party suppliers are required they’re contacted, quotes obtained, and a final cost for the project is presented for approval before final production begins.

We deliver on time, on budget and you’re over the moon.

Simple really.

How did you come up with the name Make•Do?

The inspiration for the name comes from the call to action used during WW11 ‘Make do and mend’ brought about by necessity and dark times. However, it gave people a sense of purpose and self-assurance that enabled them to survive and even thrive during that bleak period.

Our version of make do though is not about scraping by through harsh necessity, it’s about making a better life through creativity, effort and persistence. We make, do and nurture, make, do and connect, make, do and enjoy. Make, do and thrive.

What won't you do?

In short, and at risk of offending some with the language, we won’t bullshit you.

We like to call a spade a spade, but at all times it’s never done with ego or arrogance as the motivation; it’s purely to preserve the design integrity and intent of the project.

But, if you’re commissioning us to design and/or make you something and you want it just so, it will be just so.*

After all, we want you to enjoy the result as much as we will in delivering it.

Similarly, if we’re asked to do something that we’re not comfortable with, or is outside our skill set, there will be no bluff or empty promises. We’ll be upfront and honest at all times.

* Of course, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we rolled over without at least having a go at changing your mind should we feel uncomfortable with the directive. We firmly believe, constructive debate leads to the best solution.