Opened by Michelle Martello in 2006, Minima Designs specializes in serving businesses in the yoga, health and wellness fields through custom web development and strategic consulting.
An interactive designer since 1999, Michelle has created numerous websites and on-line museum exhibits, developed interactive training and assessment software products, and was part of a team recently awarded a 2011 Webby award for The Architect’s Virtual Capitol.
An avid yogi, Michelle recently completed her 200 RYT program with Faith Hunter in Washington, DC. She is also a co-founder of Project Yoga Richmond, an organization unifying the greater Richmond yoga and movement arts collective through selfless service. Michelle lives in Richmond, VA with her husband Zane and her upward dog Juno.
Client Testimonials
Elena Brower / Virayoga / Art of Attention / GIVE scent
artofattention.com / virayoga.com / givescent.com
Recently Michelle did a makeover on my website. I gave her one watercolor sketch from a sketchbook and she turned that into a complete home for my work (that feels more like me than even I myself could’ve dreamed up!).
She understands her clients thoroughly, given very little information, and it was a joy working with her.
Alón Sagee / The Yoga Business Coach
Finding a web designer who gets who I am and what I do in the world, and could translate that essence into cohesive and powerfully effective visual presentations was a tall order. Michelle, however, has exceeded my lofty expectations in every way. Over the last seven years of creating websites for my clients, her artistic sense has shown itself to be a fountain of creative energy. Her ability to offer initial designs that hit the mark, usually in the first round, gives my clients a solid starting point with no time wasted. On top of all that, her proficiency in the latest technologies makes it so much easier for clients to trust that they are in good hands. Her patient nature can even empower total technophobes to learn to update their sites on their own! Really.
Today, I officially launched the new website Michelle created for my business. In a matter of minutes, positive, sometimes effusive comments started pouring in from all over the world… and it hasn’t stopped. Now I feel even closer to my audience, since this beautiful site is so much more “me” than my previous one. I’ll say it again, finding a web designer who “gets me” was my first priority. Michelle listens so well and is so present when discussing the particulars of my site that I can drop all concern about how things will turn out. The proof is in the pixels. Maybe that should be her new tag line. As an artist, technician and business person, Michelle is a pleasure to work with, and her designs are consistently beautiful, well-built, fairly priced and remarkably effective.
Thank you, Michelle, you’re an inspiration!
Kimber McQueen / Balance Pilates
balance-pilates.com
I am so lucky I found Michelle! I have owned a pilates studio for thirteen years and have worked with several other designers. So take it from me– – if you own a yoga or a pilates studio and are looking for a designer, look no further, you’ve found the right one! Not only is she an awesome designer, but she is also an avid yoga and pilates enthusiast herself which means she knows our business. She gets our demographic, our aesthetic, and she knows what your website needs to do—sometimes before you do. Love her!
Bernadette Birney / It’s about Yoga (sort of)
Working with Michelle was a fantastically positive experience! I felt confident the entire way through the process that I was in excellent hands. Because she took the time to get a sense of my personality, Michelle designed the site I would have designed for myself if I the skills. My site feels like me, and that’s important to me. I highly recommend Minima Designs, and Michelle.
Brian Monnier / California Yoga Company
Michelle, Michelle, Michelle. What can I say about her and her amazing services? I am business owner of 8 years who actually has some background in illustration. Which, I had used to do my own website for many years. It wasn’t fancy but it worked.
My business has grown and I needed a really clean website to reflect what I offer. Through an associate I was referred to Michelle and her team at Minima Designs. From being to end, she was a real joy to work with. I feel that she really listened to what I wanted and came up with a design that was spot on.
Her design work is super clean. When I got a look at the initial redesign my jaw dropped. She knocked it out of the park. Navigation is easier, design is cohesive and it is now a vital part of the brand that I am building.
She set up the site so that I can manage the content much easier that I used to. This is God send for me as I use daily updates to communicate with my customers. I can now be anywhere in the world and make an update if needed!
My customers love the new design. In fact, one of the main comments I get from new customers is that the website is really, really cool.
I highly recommend using this company for your web design needs.
Kyra Anastasia / Inspired Yoga
Minima Design has created three new and unique websites for my company. Each time, my expectations were exceeded. Michelle is very tuned in to all the latest trends of the market and has a very unique and creative approach to each site that she designs. I am continually impressed by her speed, thoughtful design and ability to convey my thoughts and the overall intention of my site. I would highly recommend anyone looking to boost their business appeal to work with Michelle and her team.
Chris Carson / Campus Tours
Interface Design for http://www.aoc.gov/
Michelle is a tremendous designer and her work is compelling, creative and professional.
Note: Architect of the capital won a 2011 Webby Award.
Maren Perry / Arden Coaching
As a first-timer to the world of website design, Michelle was the consummate guide. She was professional and reliable as well as personable and fun to work with. She allowed me the space to make my own choices, but also offered a gentle opinion if she had a suggestion based on her vast experience or thought my choice might take me away from what I really intended. I’ve already recommended her to others and will not hesitate to do so again – I know my colleagues and friends will be in good hands with her!
Michele Vennard / Bikram Yoga San Jose
Early in 2006, I knew it was time to recreate our website as it no longer captured who we are now at Bikram Yoga San Jose. After three years, we have really matured and the website is a very important tool that is the next best thing to the one on one, in the studio, communication we have with all our members. Working with Yoga Business Coach, Alon Sagee, helped to formulate an invitation that put words into the essence of who we are as a new student, member, staff member at BYSJ. He then introduced me to Michelle Martello of Minima Designs after combing through many websites and doing a sifting of the pros and cons. Right away, Michelle was super to work with as the three of us would conference call and put together ideas on an ideal website. Michelle was super receptive to my long list of wants. I drew up a draft of the items that I thought would make us unique and comprehensive. Michelle took those ideas and just ran with it. It is rare to find someone who can articulate and graphically depict the exact idea/vision that someone else is trying to convey. Michelle did so brilliantly and had many ideas of her own that were over the top in terms of the look, use, and ease. And, to make matters even more challenging, Michelle is located in Virginia with a three hour time difference. And, she was the one to stay punctual.
In the end, with the guidance of Alon and great photos from Kyle at Hands On Photo, the end result is such a high quality product that is getting such rave reviews. I tell everyone that we could not have created such a piece when we opened as it really describes so well who we have become in the 4 years. It respects Bikram and this method of yoga, it says expertise and reliability, it says community and welcome to any and all and it inspires. I am grateful.
Joy Burch / Inward Bound
Michelle combines artistic creativity with down-to-earth execution. Her level of professionalism and enthusiasm for the design process is beyond compare and even in stressful times she is a delight to work with. I will forever sing her praises!
