About Helle Creative

Not your typical design studio. Isn’t that what you’re looking for?

I’m Claire, and this is Helle Creative.

I’m based in West Asheville, North Carolina, and I create problem-solving design solutions for creatives and creators in Asheville and far beyond. Whether you’re an artist, business owner, community leader, or something in between (aren’t we all these days?), you do things a little bit differently and you’re what I’m looking for. My job is to take your creativity — whatever that means for you — and turn it into something functional, effective, and real.

Behind the Name

“helle” (he•le, German) > bright, clever

Helle Creative’s name was inspired by my transformative and meaningful experiences during my several visits to Austria over the years. From studying abroad in Vienna to spending our honeymoon in Styria, my experiences in Austria have always made a positive impact. I strive to have that same kind of impact in my business as well.

Helle Creative began as Claire Allen Design in 2017, but I’ve been working in design for well over a decade.

As a self-taught designer — full honesty, my start in design began with laying out my high school year books, designing posters for my friends’ college events, sprucing up my parents’ presentations for work…we all have to start somewhere, right? — my years working in this industry have taught me to always keep an open mind, never think “I’ve learned it all,” and always be willing to try something new, something unexpected.

When you work with Helle Creative, you don’t just get my years of experience and knowledge; you also get my weird, curious, creative self in your corner.

Non-Design Things

HOUSE
Ravenclaw

FAVORITE COVER BANDS
Rumors, Somewhat Petty

HOBBIES
Hanging out with my horse at the barn, video games (third-person RPG preferred), binging complicated TV shows, dominating at Harry Potter trivia, planning our next (likely European) adventure

FURBABY COUNT
Horse (Sweet T), Cats (Jarvis + Juniper), Dog (Quinn)

POST-WORK MEETING COCKTAIL
Aperol Spritz (apparently even my beverage choices are on brand)

CURRENTLY WATCHING/REWATCHING
Black Sails, Ted Lasso, Foundation, The Bear, Earthsounds, never not rewatching Doctor Zhivago, several true crime docs

Client
Love

  • Not only is Claire extremely knowledgeable and gifted at what she does, it's also truly a collaborative process.

    That is why I really came to her, and what I really needed.

    Claire was referred to me from a friend and I instantly knew she was the one to go with! Claire helped me birth my vision into reality, my dream into existence. No words can adequately thank her for that. I am eternally grateful. I threw the kitchen sink at her, and she handled it. I feel confident she can handle whatever I throw her way.

    — Lauren

  • I am grateful to have found such a talent and look forward to the next project! Highly recommend!

    Claire has been amazing to work with from beginning to end of every project I've thrown her direction. Her talent, experience, hard work and confidence all combine to create artistic, beautiful layouts and designs that are inspiring and original. Her ideas encompass my vision but then go above and beyond to create the perfect design. Thank you, Claire!

    — Katie

  • Claire is professional, knowledgeable, prepared, available, very responsive, a design problem solver and cared about us understanding the what and the why of what she presented.

    She is very creative and allowed us to also be creative. She heard us, got it, and helped us do what we needed to do while adding her unique touches. We were able to enter into a collaboration with her which was very important to us. We couldn't be any happier with the results and will definitely return to her for future needs. Thank you, Claire!!!

    — Chris

  • Claire was referred to us by not one but two trusted friends. Having worked with her for nearly a year now, I know why.

    She is smart, listens well, asks meaningful questions, and is always pleasant. She's reliable and willing to ride out the variety and timelines indicative of our work. We've given her many different tasks and she's succeeded with them all. We will continue to use Helle Creative and recommend Claire wholeheartedly!!

    — Anne

80% of Helle Creative clients return for another collaboration. Let’s get started on your first.

Finally, you can just focus on what you do best. I’m here to be your design expert so that you don’t have to be.