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About


Welcome to my world of design. I believe I came into this life with creativity flowing in my veins. It started out as in most of us--crayons, coloring books, finger paints. It developed in the same way we learn to walk--step by step.

I have often taken circuitous routes and found myself exactly where I'm supposed to be even though it's not always comfortable. Nevertheless, the result is I know a little about lots of things and when I focus, I can know a lot about a few things.

Let me help you present your business to the world:
  • self-publishing consulting
  • book design
  • book cover design 
  • brochures
  • booklets
  • newsletters
  • bookmarks as marketing collateral
  • business cards
  • stationery (letterhead/personalized memos/envelopes/mailing labels)
  • custom Blogger design
I love to explore Colorado and capture its beauty with my sweet puppy dog.

Lissa Ann Forbes [ laf ], like Melissa without the "me"

HIGHLIGHTS:

Graphic Designer: I am a hybrid--largely self-taught, some classroom learning, and some innate design sense. Sadly, my development in this arena was thwarted by one of those instructors many of you know--the one who put you down and said in so many words you wouldn't make it or didn't have any talent, but after many years, I have circled back around and am finding a passion I didn't realize was so strong.

Photographer and Writer: I spend lots of time exploring Colorado, taking pictures, and writing about my journeys. I've discovered macro photography, textures, and creating artistic pieces in post-processing.
To access my images easily, visit my Flicker page.

Publisher: I completed legacy books for over 20 private clients.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

December 2015: completed All You Can Do book cover design; provided self-publishing consulting, copyright permissions services, blog and Facebook consulting
June 2013: completed Homesteading the Soul: A Spiritual Apprenticeship with a Prairie Grandfather; provided self-publishing consulting, editing, layout and design, copyright permissions services 
August 2012: officially formed laf Custom Designs, LLC
January 2012: Sold first print, my Ansel Adams moment, Clear Creek in Golden, Colorado
September 2011: Launched laf Custom Designs blog
June 2011: Graduated with a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Denver
2010: Began publishing "The Stroll," a weekly photo-journal
2006 - 2009: Public Speaker, "What's the Story Behind the Photograph?"
2007: “Classroom on a Wire: Using Your Telephone for Higher Learning” published in the Association for Personal Historians quarterly newsletter
2006: Published Write from the Inside: Dig for Treasures, Discover Yourself, Leave a Legacy
2004: “Mine the Gold” published in the  Association for Personal Historians quarterly newsletter 
1999: The Elemental Press was born

Born in Germany, I came to the US when I was four years old. I've lived in New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, and New York, then settled in Tucson, Arizona. Since 1998, I have lived in Lafayette, Colorado.