Alyssa Phillips Downey of Amp'd Designs leaning her elbow on a desk and her chin on her hand, with a red mug and an open laptop on the desk.

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I’m Alyssa. I believe that a well-built brand & website are some of the most powerful tools a business can have, and I’ve spent my entire career doing this work.

If you’re ready to work with a designer who’s as passionate about your goals and success as you are, you’re in the right place.

Through properly-built branding, websites, packaging, and graphic design, I help you look and operate at a level that matches the quality you know that you already provide through your products or services.

With over a decade of professional experience, I collaborate with you on an attention-grabbing, goal-focused design that’s built correctly using strategy and proven processes, not trends or shortcuts.

Alyssa Downey sitting at a desk behind an open Apple laptop smiling down at it.

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Graphic design isn’t something I just picked up one day. I’ve spent my entire professional career committed to creating good design that not only looks nice, but is done right.

Actually, I’ve been designing things for quite literally my whole life. As a kid, I’d draw fake clothing catalogs and repurpose plastic packaging from products to create fake packaging for my little brother’s toys.

I got deeper into graphic design in high school through music, when I started making gig posters for local bands. (Fun fact: this was when I started using the name Amp’d Designs!)

I graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Communications Design, focus on Graphic Design. Since college, I’ve actually never held a non-design job!

My path led me to work at NYC design studios on branding, print, packaging, websites, and digital pieces. I also worked an Art Director at a high-end print company, and spent time in the Art Department at Atlantic Records where I designed tons of music-related projects (and attended a champagne party with Ed Sheeran).

From these experiences, I learned the important details that are often overlooked, but are exactly the things that determine whether or not your design projects hold up for the long term — things like file formats, color systems, print production knowledge, and deep strategy. In my professional environments, there was no room for shortcuts.

Over a decade later, I’ve built my design business around the belief that anything worth creating is worth creating right.

Now, I’ve been self-employed full-time since 2018, and during this time have had the pleasure of teaching a college design course, co-founding the Asheville chapter of AIGA (a national professional design organization), mentoring designers, and being invited to speak on design for both business owner and designer communities.

Above all, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of collaborating with so many ambitious, inspiring business owners on brand, web, and graphic design projects that help propel their businesses forward. It’s truly a joy to be able to do what I love for work every day, and to be able to support amazing clients doing it.

My core beliefs as your designer:

Design done well opens up new business opportunities for you.
Successful design isn’t just about looking pretty.
Whether you’re aiming to get on the shelf at Whole Foods or launch your new service, I make sure your design helps sustain the long-term growth of your business.
“Strategy” isn’t just a buzzword.
Together, we gain a deep understanding of your business, audience, and goals, then use those details to make intetional decisions that support your growth.
There are no silly questions.
It’s immensely important to me that you feel comfortable sharing your feedback, ideas, and questions throughout the process.
I make sure you feel heard, while guiding your project gently in the right direction.
You’re hiring a human being.
I do not use AI to create your designs. The emails you receive from me are written by me, not AI. You’re not working with a robot; you’re working with a human. (Read my full AI policy here.)
There’s no one-size-fits-all.
Your brand shouldn’t be built on trends or Pinterest boards. It should be deeply rooted in your business’s distinct story and strategy.
I go above and beyond.
I take your investment incredibly seriously, and my process has a reputation for exceeding expectations.
We don’t take shortcuts.
Your business deserves attention to detail. I work according to best practices and use proven methodologies to ensure that your design doesn’t just look good, but is properly built to prevent future issues.
I’m here for the long haul.
With my extensive background in all areas of graphic design, I don’t ditch you once your branding and website are done. I’m basically an agency of one, here to continue supporting your growth over the years with print, packaging, and digital design.

Fun facts:

A

I’m originally from Buffalo, NY, and moved to NYC to go to college for graphic design. I lived and worked there for 6 years before moving to Asheville, NC.
I have 10+ years of professional experience working as a designer, and Amp’d Designs® has been in business since 2018 (although I’ve been self employed full time since 2017!).
B

I graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, with a BFA in Communications Design, concentration on Graphic Design.
C

I worked as a Designer and Art Director in New York City designing branding, print, packaging, websites, and digital collateral.
D

I also spent time in the Art Department at Atlantic Records where I designed a plethora of music-related projects and attended a champagne party with Ed Sheeran.
(Initially, I got into graphic design way back in high school through making gig posters and album art for local bands!)
E

I now work out of my home office in Mars Hill, NC, about 20 minutes north of Asheville. I connect with business owners all over via Zoom, or locally at a co-working space in Downtown Asheville.
F

When I'm not designing, you might find me cooking or doing some gluten free baking (everything from cookies to GF sourdough), out on a run, experimenting in the garden, or planning my next trip (always down to talk travel!).
G

I also love my cats Mark (moody teenage orange tabby) and Jinx (very energetic black kitty), and our small flock of chickens.

FAVORITE BANDS:

Grouplove, Fall Out Boy, Alt-J, Hippo Campus

LATELY LISTENING TO:

Remi Wolf (honestly my playlist has been a bit stale, so feel free to send suggestions!)

FAVORITE FOOD:

Popcorn

FAVORITE COLOR:

Red (surprising?)

NEXT TRIP:

New England road trip

Favorite Dungeon:

Zul'Farrak

Select Media, Collaborations, and Awards

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Community and collaboration:

Collaborating with local and online business communities and design organizations is important to me.

For creatives, I founded Make Your Design Matter ®, helping ambitious self-employed designers nail their processes, wow their clients, and grow their businesses with confidence.

I also co-founded AIGA Asheville (a chapter of a well-known, 100-year-old national, professional design organization), serving as the Vice President for four years, followed by a position as President.