About Graphic Presentations and its founder,
Porter Smith-Thayer
Working with fellow designers as well as keeping her own hands on the keyboard much of the time, more and more companies are discovering Porter Smith-Thayer’s energy, compassion and ability to know and understand the expectations of her clientele.
A graduate of Ohio University School of Design (with a second major in modern dance, by the way), Porter began work as a corporate image and packaging designer. (Remember your first margarine “tub”? The package may have been her design work.) From there she branched into the broadcast world and worked as the art director for WOUB-TV, a public broadcasting affiliate in Ohio.
Porter launched her independent graphic design career in 1979 with clients that included Ohio University, the United States Coast Guard, Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky Derby Museum (with Gerard Hilferty & Associates), the Academy of Natural Sciences (with Gerard Hilferty & Associates), and Stewart-MacDonald Manufacturing.
After moving to Richmond, VA in 1988, Porter founded Graphic Presentations, which today serves an impressive list of clients that span the public and private sectors. From Fortune 500 corporations to neighborhood nonprofits, Porter's services have garnered accolades for her ability to generate new ideas and take them successfully through implementation.
"What I enjoy most," says Porter, "is getting involved in the conceptual phase and working with people who understand the importance of good, clean design. Coming up with ideas that may never have been used, sharing these ideas with my clients, and together, creating a domino effect of new, fresh concepts makes my day absolutely fly by. I only wish there were more hours in the day. I love what I do."
“Porter Smith-Thayer of Graphic Presentations has been our graphics consultant for the past nine months. She was originally hired to design our logo. I could not have been more pleased with her talent and expertise, her work and business professionalism, and her regard for my goals and budget constraints.
I have been in business since 2002. As a fairly new, rapidly growing business I am approached by at least 12 graphic designers and marketing specialists per year who offer their services. Prior to meeting Porter most of my relationships in this field had been unsatisfactory. I had found many “graphics” experts had either little expertise or little regard as to my goals and opinions.
Porter will take the time to understand your company and your goals and will continue to work with you until you are happy with the results. She also works efficiently and stays to the timeline that you have both decided on. I have also found her advice on such topics as targeting different demographics also to be helpful and correct.
In summary, Porter is talented, knowledgeable, and a true professional in her field. I would recommend her to any business looking for assistance with graphics and marketing.”
Madge E. Zacharias, MD
CEO, Zacharias Ganey Health Institute
Richmond, Virginia
“I have worked with Graphic Presentations for many years. They provide outstanding graphic design and creative services, and everything they do is first class. You can’t go wrong working with them. They are true design professionals.”
Donna Geisler
FusionSet, Inc.
Boise, Idaho
“Porter Smith-Thayer of Graphic Presentations and I worked together developing a website for a non-profit. Porter designed the site and I programmed it. Porter’s design beautifully captured the essence of the group. We have received many rave reviews for our work together. I hope to work with Porter again soon in the future. She was very professional and a joy to work with, and her work was excellent.”
Beth Barnett
Sites2BeSeen
Richmond, Virginia
“Graphic Presentations took our generalist ideas for a company image and created specific outputs which have helped us create a brand for the company and for our first new product — we love Porter’s work.”
Warren Brennan, CEO
SMA Informatics
Richmond, Virginia
“It has been a great experience working with Graphic Presentations. We do several different design projects that often require a quick turnaround. Porter is always willing to take on the short deadline and develop a wonderful product.
Porter is very professional and has a wonderful way of taking our ideas and turning them into excellent products. Not only does she produce design projects in a timely manner, but she is a great communicator. We never have a hard time getting in touch with her. She is always available and always returns a phone call or e-mail within 24 hours, if not earlier. We have been very pleased with everything we have received from Graphic Presentations and look forward to working together more in the future.”
Amanda Pearson, Marketing Manager
Greater Richmond Convention Center