Never Settle for Ordinary!

A beige package wrapped in fabric with a white ribbon and a tag reading 'The Grace Westport Estate, 100% Irish Linen Bathroom' featuring a bird silhouette logo.
Large ocean wave crashing with spray and foam, dark stormy sky.

Marbar.Starbar is a boutique branding studio built on one clear promise: never settle for ordinary. I specialise in crafting distinctive, strategic brands, adaptable graphic design, and beautifully executed Squarespace websites for ambitious SMEs and growing organisations who want to stand out rather than blend in.

Whether you're launching at the kitchen table or leading a national enterprise, I'll help you see your business differently and show up powerfully.

View our latest work
Close-up of the Pinterest logo with a black background.

Design Rooted in Rural Donegal

I may be based in rural Donegal, but my vision has always reached further. Marbar.Starbar was founded on a passion for strategic design, infusing creativity, clarity, and purpose into every project.

What sets me apart is my ability to cut through noise and surface clarity, helping clients see their business differently, define a confident identity, and show up with purpose. My clients value not just the work, but the shift in mindset and momentum that comes with it.

A person holding a bouquet of purple flowers with a green landscape and sunset in the background.
A smiling woman dressed in a brown hooded jacket and a gray beanie standing on a beach with ocean waves in the background.
A coastal scene with a sandy beach, rocky formations, green grassy dunes in the foreground, and a cliff in the background. Two people are walking along the shore.

Why Choose Me?

  • Open magazine resting on a leather surface, showing two pages. The left page features the heading 'Creatives in Residence' and a small Facebook icon. The right page contains a paragraph describing a town known for spades, nails, bicycles, weavers, artists, and poets, located in the middle of Bushmills.

    Discovery-Driven Process

    Through in-depth discovery sessions, I cut through surface thinking to uncover what makes you genuinely distinctive. Every project is built on understanding your story, your vision, and your ambition.

  • Purple T-shirt with a yellow and white logo and text that says 'North West is best' and a small tag that reads 'North West'.

    Strategic Clarity Across Industries

    Twenty years working with startups, SMEs, and national brands means I bring perspective. I help you see patterns you might miss and positioning opportunities that elevate you above the competition.

  • Exterior of a building with a classical style entrance featuring two tall columns, a pediment, a yellow door, and two potted topiary plants. The wall is made of light-colored stone blocks, and there are two windows with black frames. The sign reads 'The Designerie'.

    Transformation, Not Just Deliverables

    You don't just get a logo or website. You gain confidence and clarity to operate at a higher level, with a cohesive identity that positions you for growth and feels authentically yours.

Who I've Worked With

  • Text reading "THE PUDDING" on a black background.
  • Enterprise Causeway logo with stylized mountain and upward trending line graph.
  • Danone logo with blue text and a curved line underneath.
  • The Grace Westport Estate
  • Legacy Communications Logo
  • Westport Estate
  • EY logo with the slogan 'Building a better working world'.
  • Logo of Atlantic Technical University, featuring the word 'Atlantic' with stylized wave and triangle design, and the full name in smaller text.
  • CupPrint logo with circular icon and text.
  • Text that reads Denise Leacock in elegant font.
  • Shabra Group
  • Logo for INZIO Advisory with the company name in stylized font.
  • Logo for HOMS Assist featuring stylized pillars and the company name.
  • Northwest Community Development
  • Lucívio Partners logo in black and gray text on a white background.
  • Logo for Velvet Interiors with the word 'velvet' in large stylized letters and 'INTERIORS' in smaller uppercase letters above the last 't'.
  • The Courthouse Shared Space Creative Hub
  • The Designerie at the Courthouse
  • BISTRO AT THE COURTHOUSE
  • Nancy's Barn logo
  • Logo for Barrack Hill Town Park
  • Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall Donegal County Council
  • Logo with a decorative Celtic knot and the text "Lár Bailte ar Tús" and "Town Centre First".
Diverse CLIENTS & INDUSTRIES

Transforming Brands Across Every Scale.

Whether you're navigating a business transition, launching something new, or ready to stop settling for ordinary. I work with ambitious organisations at every stage who refuse to blend in.

Entrepreneurs

Strategic branding to launch your vision with confidence.

I'd love to work with you

Enterprises

Cohesive rebrands that position you to compete at a higher level.

I would like to know more
Close-up of a bathroom sink with a black countertop, a gold faucet with white handles, a large mirror, a bowl-shaped flower vase with white flowers, and a wall with a window with white shutters.
Two white strips with the text 'velvet' and 'INTERIORS' printed in black, placed diagonally on a beige textured surface.
A business card for Velvet Interiors with the words 'Relaxed Luxury' on a green background, placed on a box with a patterned design. 
FRESH APPROACH

Making Over Brands From Bland to Brilliant.

If your brand feels stuck, surface-level, or doesn't reflect the full scale of what you've built, I'm here to change that. Through collaborative discovery and strategic design, I help you uncover what makes you genuinely distinctive and translate it into a cohesive identity that commands attention. You'll gain the confidence to show up powerfully and the clarity to grow without compromise.

Look at some of our work
Cliffs with green grass on top overlooking the ocean under a clear blue sky.
A collection of printed brand guideline documents for Shabra Group, showcasing color palettes, typography, patterns, and visual branding elements in green, black, and gray tones.
Side view of a white delivery van with the Shabra Group logo, website, contact information, and green graphic design on the side.

What My Clients Say:

  • Modern building with wooden facade and large front window, set against lush mountainous landscape with overcast sky.

    Enterprise Causeway

    "When it came to creativity, Mari truly exceeded our expectations. Her approach to design was impressive—each element was thoughtfully crafted to work together harmoniously."

  • Open annual report booklet with green and white pages, featuring images of factory workers, performance statistics, and messages about plastic pollution and brand values.

    Shabra Group

    “If you are looking to see your business—and your own potential—through an entirely new lens, Mari’s discovery sessions are an absolute necessity. She doesn't just build brands; she helps you realise the full scale of what you’ve created.”

  • Office window with the company name 'Lucívío Partners' written on it, reflecting chairs and a plant inside the office.

    Lucivio Partners

    "I can’t speak more highly of the results. What I found more remarkable was the process itself, highly collaborative, responsive and quickly to understand the nuances of the industry. I would highly recommend engaging Mari for any and all branding and design needs. I can assure you, you’ll get more than you even thought was possible."

  • A modern house on a grassy hill with snow-capped mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

    Barrack Hill Town Park

    "From the very beginning, she took the time to understand the ethos, the vision and the target audience. Communication was seamless, and she was always open to feedback, making the entire process a true collaboration. We felt supported and confident in her expertise from start to finish."

  • A scenic landscape featuring a body of water, green hills, and mountainous terrain under a cloudy sky.

    Greencastle Community Centre

    "From the start she made the whole process extremely easy and enjoyable. Mari completely understood the project, our timelines and budget and was able to bring us a fantastic finished piece that we were absolutely delighted with!"

FAQs

  • How long does the branding process take?

    As a solo-designer I only have so many hands, and hours in the week. I like to give a minimum of six weeks for my starter brands. This allows time for consultations, strategy calls and the space for me to create and present your brand at different stages in the process.

    For larger companies, extra time is added to accommodate the need to produce more support materials, build brand guidelines and handover your brand so you can work on it independently.

    Ideally you would want to allow twelve to sixteen weeks for more sophisticated branding projects.

  • I only want a logo, can you do that?

    The simple answer to that is, I don't as my approach to branding is much wider than that. You've heard the saying "Your brand is not your logo" - so my process involves looking at your brand in its entirety. If you are looking for just a logo then I can point you in the direction of websites that can help you.

  • Can you leave out the Discovery Session?

    Great design starts with strategic clarity and that comes from deep discovery.

    My in-depth discovery sessions cut through surface thinking to uncover what makes you genuinely distinctive. This isn't just nice-to-have; it's the foundation for a brand that actually works. It creates a focused brief, reduces revisions, and ensures you gain the confidence and clarity that makes the entire investment worthwhile.

  • What graphic design do you support?

    Business stationery
    Brochures (multi-page)
    Custom illustrations
    Packaging artwork
    Podcast cover art
    Powerpoint templates and formatting
    Promotional apparel
    Promotional posters and flyers
    Social media templates
    Website illustrations and graphics

  • Do you offer payment plans?

    Absolutely! I always break projects down into payment plans to (1) make the investment a little easier for you and (2) keep the project moving with regular payments. Your first payment is non-refundable and required to save your spot in my schedule.

    Then, the rest of your payments will be spread out equally throughout the project. Please note that these payments are scheduled by date, NOT by milestones in the project. I do this to avoid delays and keep the project moving.

  • How much do you charge?

    I price every business individually. I take all the information you have presented me with and base my costs on what you need and for what stage your business is at.

    If you're budget is too low I will recommend other avenues for you to take.

    Websites on the other hand start from €2,500 for a brochure website and from €3,500 for an e-commerce website.

  • Can we meet face-to-face?

    If you live within the counties of Donegal, Republic of Ireland or Derry, Northern Ireland I am in a position to do a face to face meeting.

    As I live so remote, I like to keep my car travel to an absolute minimum, so our meetings and communication will be done as much via Zoom or recordings where possible.

  • What website software do you use?

    I only provide websites that are created in and hosted on Sqaurespace.

Ready to See Your Business Differently?

If you're navigating a transition, launching something new, or ready to stop settling for ordinary—let's talk. I'd love to meet you in person or virtually to explore how we can craft a brand that feels both powerful and authentically yours.

Contact Me