Keeping a brand fresh and relevant is so important and one of the best ways to do this is to regularly bring out new designs. I try and ensure there are at least 4 new designs ready to be launched in January and between 4 - 6 new Christmas designs ready by about May of each year. I've got to be honest, I really struggle with designing Christmas cards in the first 6 months of the year and will think of a hundred things to do rather than think about Christmas!! And I leave it quite late in the year as many of the bigger card publishers have their new Christmas cards ready to go in the January, a full 12 months ahead. I can only wish....

I look at what designs are popular and try and build on these ranges; for example, our birds are really popular so last year I designed 4 new bird cards featuring  British birds that we see throughout the year - Swallow, Long-Tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker and Kestrel. This year, I've just added a little Wren, which is very dear to people's hearts as they regularly see them around their gardens.

Needless to say, I've yet to start on this year's Christmas designs so if you have any ideas.... please let me know :)