Designs by Sandbox, LLC, was first established in 2012 as a business partnership, then changed to sole proprietorship in 2019. Now working remotely from two different states, Katie and Meg continue to partner for design development and implementation.
MEG ORTEL, WEBSITE ARCHITECT / BUSINESS OWNER
“I see myself as a ‘communication facilitator’ who works with clients to develop a manageable website that accurately reflects their intent. My goal is to stay tuned into the current technological evolutions in WordPress, and to build websites that are effective communication tools.”
Having lived in France as a young girl, Meg has always been fascinated with languages, and with the effects of language on social interactions. After earning a B.A. in French, then an M.Ed. in Special Education, and then working for the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program as a language development teacher, and then studying ASL Interpreting and earning certification as a freelance Sign Language Interpreter, and then working as Webmistress and Communications Manager for Teelin School of Irish Dance…. Meg has not yet decided what she wants to do when she grows up.
In the meantime, Meg is thoroughly enjoying being the mother of two amazing daughters and the wife of an adventurous software engineer. In addition to yoga, walking, CrossFit, and teaching Irish dance, one of her slightly bizarre hobbies includes perusing online resources for new ways to help clients share their messages effectively through WordPress websites.
KATIE BARTEL, CREATIVE CONSULTANT
“My favorite part of what I do is collaborating with clients and learning about their company, their mission, their passion, what they offer and what sets them apart. I enjoy the challenge of creating designs that capture and share the essence of who they are and what they do.”
A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Katie is fluent in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, and specializes in conceptual, clear and effective design tailored to the needs of each client and job. Katie freelanced for fourteen years as Blue Moon Creative prior to joining forces with Meg Ortel and establishing Designs by Sandbox, LLC. Through Blue Moon Creative, Katie specialized in corporate identity, print and advertising. Her previously experience as Art Director at The Robin Shepherd Group in Jacksonville, Florida (Clients included Merial, PGA Tour, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra) and Jones Worley Design (with clients including the 1996 Olympics, Turner Broadcasting) afforded Katie the opportunity to work alongside incredible talent and learn the ins and outs of the design business, including photo shoots and being on press.
Mother of three girls, and a Navy wife, Katie is also thrilled to continue expanding her artistry with 139handcrafted, creating one-of-a-kind, hand-lettered pieces on reclaimed barn wood. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, cooking, running and traveling.