Q Design & Communication Since 1981

Making the world a better place through the power of branding, design, and the web

About

A full-service design studio that has worked with local and global clients for 40 years, Q LTD creates brand strategies, visual identities, websites, and marketing materials that help your organization communicate and motivate. Our work is rooted in research, strategy, design thinking, and full stack web expertise. Our approach is holistic, multidisciplinary, and collaborative. Read latest news.

Services

We harness the power of graphic design, language, and technology to help companies and organizations find their voice, tell their story, and communicate with their audience. Our team’s objective is to help you succeed.

  • Brand Strategy
    Q LTD helps organizations find their authentic voice and story. Through our process of workshops, one-on-one interviews, and related methodologies, we help organizations define their positioning. We distill key marketing messages and develop the visual expression of your brand.
  • Visual Identity
    Creating a new brand or refreshing an existing identity requires the right mix of analysis and intuition. After 30+ years of creating visual identities, Q LTD knows what works. We balance current trends and a knowledge of design history. Our creative solutions are innovative, authentic, and valuable.
  • Web Design & Development
    You need web solutions that deliver customized experiences on all digital platforms. We ensure that your content is findable, accessible, and easy to manage and maintain, using development techniques such as HTML 5, CSS, and jQuery. Our creation process includes: research, strategy, information architecture, interface design, content management system implementation, development, and custom-coding.
  • Print Collateral
    Capability brochures, annual reports, journals, direct mail, posters, folders, stationery – the right combination of format, imagery, color, typography, copy, paper stock, and printing techniques still communicates professionalism in our digital world.
  • Marketing
    Our process helps clients identify their audience and determine the right approach to communicate with them. We begin with research and insight gathering, which can include surveys, focus groups, and user experience reviews. We provide objective marketing support to both B2B and B2C clients.
  • Advertising
    Q LTD designers and writers create engaging print and digital advertising that effectively supports our clients' brand and marketing objectives.
  • Video/Animation
    Through the artful combination of content, imagery, design, and technology, we create stories that move. From product videos to interactive illustrations and infographics, we support your brand and communication needs.
  • Naming
    Q LTD creates distinctive and compelling names – the first step in building an ownable, enduring brand. An effective name begins a conversation. It is the cornerstone for successful communication.
  • Content
    We provide content strategy as well as content development across media. We deliver compelling headlines, taglines, and messages to inform and motivate your audience.
  • Trade Shows/Exhibits
    We extend your brand into large-scale experiences: exhibit design, trade show graphics, banners, displays, interior and exterior signage, and wayfinding.
  • Merchandise
    We help select the best brand-promotion options. We pay attention to the right cut of t-shirt, the best style of mug, and make sure the final product reflects well on your company or organization.

Crew

  • Christine Golus

    Managing Director

    Christine Golus

    Managing Director

    With Q LTD since 1983 Christine received her BFA from the University of Michigan School of Art & Design. Avocations: modern dance, salsa, and all things nature. She has created brand identities, websites, and print collateral as well as managed web and communication projects for such clients as the SC Conference Series; University of Illinois National Center for Supercomputing Applications; The Kresge Foundation; American Concrete Institute; American Ornithological Society; Packard Health; University of Michigan’s Mcity and Wallace House; the annual SIGGRAPH conference; and others. She has taught graphic design at both Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College and lectured at the U-M Penny Stamps School of Art & Design, where she has served as an industry advisor in design. Christine is the owner of Q LTD and directs company strategy, client relationships, and business development.

    Email Christine Golus
  • Todd Szymanski

    Design Director

    Todd Szymanski

    Design Director

    Received his BFA in graphic design from the University of Michigan School of Art & Design. Joined Q LTD in 1992. Four years later, emigrated to Los Angeles to open the West Coast office and now represents Q LTD in Palm Springs. Huge appreciation for natural beauty keeps him on the hiking trails. Fascination with mechanical beauty keeps him at the local newsstand, salivating over the latest unattainable automotive offerings from Italy and Germany. Todd has created identities, websites, and print collateral pieces for such clients as the SC Conference Series; the annual SIGGRAPH conference; and others.

    Email Todd Szymanski Todd Szymanski Twitter
  • Patricia Greve

    Editor, Operations Director

    Patricia Greve

    Editor, Operations Director

    Returned to Michigan, her native land, after receiving a BA in English literature from Reed College in Portland, Oregon. She still occasionally pines for the verdant northwest. Spelling bee champion. Oxford comma advocate. Adorer of thunderstorms, bridges, and cats. Connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies. Shameless Argentine tango addict.

    Email Patricia Greve
  • Matthew Restorff

    Senior Web Developer

    Matthew Restorff

    Senior Web Developer

    With Q LTD since 2015. Traversed Lake Michigan from Milwaukee to settle in Ypsilanti. A drummer and pug lover, Matt got his start building sites for rock stars (Travis Barker of Blink 182, Green Day, Joshua Radin, WideSpread Panic, Eminem, Mana). With more than 12 years of experience in all stages of web development and a strong background in WordPress and other content management platforms, Matt has an in-depth understanding of HTML, CSS, Javascript, and responsive design techniques for developing sites for optimum performance and efficiency.

    In the community, Matt has been a volunteer tech presenter at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. Clients include: the SC Conference Series (SC18, SC19); the University of Michigan’s Wallace House and Mcity; William Davidson Foundation; the Sarcoma Coalition; and others.

    Email Matthew Restorff
  • Andy Sikora

    Andy Sikora

    Senior Designer

    Andy Sikora

    Senior Designer

    Proud Michigander and avid coffee drinker Andy received his BFA from Central Michigan University where he also worked as creative services manager at award-winning, student-run media company CM Life. Draws inspiration from modern art as well as old school video games, cartoons, and media. Believes good design is clean and calculated. Less is more. A big nerd at heart, Andy collects old video games, obsesses over Game of Thrones, plays guitar, and constantly creates. Loves travel and has spent time in the Philippines and Dubai. He may or may not like pineapple on pizza.

    Email Andy Sikora
  • Emily Cedar

    Senior Designer

    Emily Cedar

    Senior Designer

    Designer, yoga instructor, scuba diver, and guitar player Emily received her BFA from the University of Michigan School of Art and Design. Always creating. Loves working with color and type. Organizes information, solves problems, and tells stories through design. Her interest in mindfulness keeps her returning to her yoga mat, while her passion for adventure carries her across the globe – her favorite destinations include Australia and Colombia.

    Email Emily Cedar
  • Olivia Graham

    Olivia Graham

    Junior Designer

    Olivia Graham

    Junior Designer

    A 2022 graduate of the University of Michigan, Olivia has called herself a designer since 2015 when her design journey began in her hometown of Miami, Florida. In more recent years, she’s also taken on the titles of yoga teacher, sailor, and cat enthusiast. Olivia’s education was focused in branding and visual design strategy, where she was particularly passionate about health, wellness, and accessibility. She also dabbles in industrial design and packaging design where her 2D skills meet her interest in 3D form. During her time minoring in entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan, she had opportunities to work with local small businesses looking at how to adapt their brand and marketing strategies.

    Email Olivia Graham
  • Paul Koch

    Brand Strategist, Writer

    Paul Koch

    Brand Strategist, Writer

    Veteran of more than 20 years in the wonderful world of advertising. Draws inspiration from the fact that there’s always something new in this business. Journalism advertising/PR major with studies in marketing, graphic design, and psychology. Original plan in life was to write for Rolling Stone magazine, until the ads became more intriguing. Worked at multiple agencies in Toledo, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky. Enjoys discovering new music, microbrews, and economic phenomena. Paul has provided research, brand strategy, creative, and content for clients such as the American Concrete Institute; University of Michigan’s Mcity, School of Nursing, and Wallace House; SARC; Dental Advisor; applEcon; and North Star Reach.

    Email Paul Koch
  • Jeff Callender

    Retired

    Jeff Callender

    Retired

    Joined Q LTD in 1985 after growing up on the east coast of Lake Michigan, earning a BFA in graphic design at Western Michigan University, and working in Chicago with influential designer Morton Goldsholl. Jeff taught graphic design at the University of Michigan and lectured at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and the SIGGRAPH Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques. Jeff served as managing director and design director at Q LTD and resides in Toronto, Ontario and in Quebéc’s Eastern Townships.

    Email Jeff Callender
  • Peter Morville

    Strategic Advisor

    Peter Morville

    Strategic Advisor

    British soccer player and digital librarian who grew up to become a founding father of information architecture. Author of Ambient Findability, Search Patterns, Intertwingled (2014), and the “polar bear book.” Collaborating with Q LTD since 1995.

    Email Peter Morville Peter Morville Twitter
  • Tom Rieke

    Founder

    Tom Rieke

    Founder

    Hawkeye expatriate who studied writing in Iowa City then practiced the profession in radio, PR, the Peace Corps (Barbados), and academia before co-founding Q LTD in 1981.

    Email Tom Rieke

Select Clients

ACM Siggraph
American Dental Asociation
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation
Bosch
Flint Group
Forte Belanger
Hollanders
Modern Sounds
Northstar Reach
NuStep
Retirement Income Solutions
SARC
Sonic Unity
Synod Community Services
The Ark
The Kresge Foundation
Ross School of Business
Yale

Contact

Q LTD is an independent design studio headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan USA with representation in California. On international projects we collaborate with our design partners at Q GmbH in Wiesbaden, Germany. If you have a project you’d like to discuss, please send us a note. We look forward to hearing from you.

Q LTD is committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity, diversity, collaboration, and mutual respect among our team members as well as our client partners. All are welcome here – be you! Q LTD is an equal opportunity employer.

410 NORTH FOURTH AVENUE
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48104
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info@qltd.com
+1.734.668.1695 USA