Angela Basker Designs

17/09/2026

🎨 Design Tip Thursday | RGB vs CMYK

Ever wondered why a colour can look bright and vibrant on your screen, but slightly different when it’s printed?

It often comes down to RGB and CMYK.

💻 RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue and is used for anything viewed on a screen, such as websites, social media graphics, digital adverts and presentations. Because RGB uses light to create colour, it can produce some incredibly bright and vivid shades.

🖨️ CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black and is the colour system most commonly used for professional printing. It uses inks rather than light, which means some of the brightest RGB colours simply can’t be reproduced exactly in print.

That’s why a social media graphic or design can sometimes look slightly different on screen compared with the finished printed piece.

When I create artwork, I always consider where the design will be used, so the correct colour setup can be prepared for digital or print.
A little colour knowledge can make a big difference to the finished result!

Did you know there was a difference between RGB and CMYK? Or have you ever had something printed that looked different from what you saw on screen?

08/09/2026

MEET THE DESIGNER 📚✨

Book cover design is one of my favourite types of projects to work on.

We’re often told “don’t judge a book by its cover”… but when it comes to choosing a book, we absolutely do!

A cover is usually the very first interaction a potential reader has with a book. Before they’ve read the blurb, the reviews or even the first page, the design is already giving them clues about the genre, mood, personality and story inside. And that’s what makes designing book covers so interesting.

More often than not, I haven’t read the full book. Instead, I work from the author’s synopsis, themes and key details to create a cover that feels right for the story, catches the eye and gives just enough away to make someone want to pick it up.

Because a great cover doesn’t just make a book look good. It helps sell the story before the first page has even been read.

If you have a book in the works and need a cover that captures what it’s all about, I’d love to hear about it. 📖💛

03/09/2026

Design Talk Thursday | From pixels to print 🐾

A logo doesn’t just need to look good on a screen. It needs to work wherever your business shows up.

For this recent project, I was asked to adapt an existing logo for Pawformance Agility, so it could be used on clothing at dog shows and agility events. The brief was a lovely one. The new design needed to feature the client’s own dog in an agility-style running pose, while still feeling connected to her existing branding. But creating a great illustration is only part of the job.

When a logo is going onto clothing, you also need to think about how well the design will actually reproduce. Fine lines and small details can easily disappear, especially when a design is embroidered or printed at a smaller scale. So I simplified the illustration, worked in greyscale and created different versions for the front and back of the garments.

The front features the running dog, while the back brings the Pawformance Agility name into focus.

The finished design needed to:

🐾 Stand out at busy dog shows and agility events
🐾 Represent the business clearly
🐾 Feel personal to the client and her own dog
🐾 Work effectively when printed on clothing

And that last point is an important one. A successful logo isn't just about how it looks on a computer screen. It’s about how well it works in the real world.

On clothing.
On signage.
On printed materials.
On social media.
And wherever else your business needs to show up.

Do you ever think about where your logo needs to work beyond your website and social media?

26/08/2026

Wednesday Wisdom: Face the Fear

Fear is something we all experience when running a business.

Whether it’s putting yourself out there, trying something new, raising your prices, attending a networking event or simply taking that next step, there will always be moments that push us outside our comfort zone.

But that’s often where the growth happens.

Every time we do something that feels a little uncomfortable, we build confidence, learn something new and prove to ourselves that we’re capable of more than we thought.

Fear doesn’t always mean stop. Sometimes it simply means you’re growing.

Face everything and rise.

What’s one thing you’ve done recently that pushed you outside your comfort zone?

18/08/2026

a✨ Testimonial Tuesday ✨

There’s nothing better than receiving lovely feedback from a client, especially when you’ve had the pleasure of creating something that feels truly personal to their business.

I loved working with Ask Michelle to create her branding and logo for her business support service, helping businesses stay organised and get things done. Bringing her ideas to life and creating a brand that feels professional, warm and completely her was such a lovely project to work on. www.ask-michelle.co.uk

So, when this testimonial landed in my inbox, it genuinely made my day. 💕
Thank you, Michelle, for trusting me with your brand and for your kind words. It was a pleasure creating something that you can feel proud to put out into the world.

If you’re a small business owner and your branding no longer feels like you, or perhaps you’re starting from scratch, I’d love to help you create something that does.

14/08/2026

Feel-Good Friday 💛

Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference.

A kind word. A recommendation. Sharing someone’s work. Introducing two people who could help each other. Or simply taking a moment to support another small business.

As a freelancer, I’m really enjoying the opportunities to connect and collaborate with other business owners. There’s something special about bringing different skills, ideas and creativity together to create something unique.

This beautiful illustration was created through one of those collaborations, bringing together words and creativity to create something with a genuine human touch. So, as we head into the weekend, here’s a little reminder:

Be kind. Support others. Collaborate where you can. You never know what difference a small gesture might make.

Have a lovely Friday. 💛

05/08/2026

Those who know me through my business will know that designing book covers is one of my favourite creative projects.

After all, we all judge a book by its cover. A great cover should do more than look good. It should capture the heart of the story, reflect the author's vision and make someone want to pick it up.

I've recently had the pleasure of designing these four very different books:

📚 Sales Before Marketing by Emma Meheux – helping business owners put sales first and build a stronger strategy.

📚 Blank Space by Carol Campbell – an inspiring guide to slowing down, reflecting and leading with authenticity.

📚 PAYING FOR THE PARTY by Mark Whiteley – a powerful and deeply honest memoir of addiction, loss and recovery.

📚 You're Not Broken by Muge Ahmet – practical tools for understanding anxiety, self-sabotage and building resilience.

I love that every project is completely different. One week I'm designing for a business book, the next it's a memoir or a personal development guide. That's what makes this work so rewarding.

A special mention to Sharon Brown (The Book Chief Publisher) for the fantastic support she gives authors throughout the publishing journey.

📚 If you're writing a book and want a cover that reflects your story and stands out on the shelf (or on Amazon!), I would love to help bring your vision to life.

Which of these would you pick up first?

23/07/2026

20/07/2026

It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since I started Angela Basker Design.

Over that time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some fantastic clients, helping businesses bring their brands to life through thoughtful, creative design☺️

Running a business has come with its fair share of challenges, but every project, every lesson and every client has helped me grow, both as a designer and as a business owner.

A huge thank you to everyone who has trusted me with their brand, recommended my services or supported my business along the way. I really appreciate it.

Here’s to year five and everything still to come!

13/07/2026

Banners are such an important part of promoting a business at events. They need to catch attention quickly, clearly explain what you offer and encourage people to stop and find out more.

I recently designed a clear visual journey from the business name and key message at the top, through to the target audience, benefits and contact details. The circular imagery helps demonstrate the face yoga techniques, while the soft pink tones and gold accents create a warm, elegant feel that reflects confidence and wellbeing.

A good banner should not try to say everything. It should create interest, communicate the key message and make people want to start a conversation.

If your business has an upcoming event and needs a banner that feels professional, clear and true to your brand, please get in touch.