Independent creative studio, Davis, CA
Big ideas.
Launched locally.
I am Aaron Wedra. I help businesses and nonprofits in Davis make an impact through bold design, local marketing and community connections that you cannot buy.
- 1,000+businesses served
- 20+years in Davis
- $1.2M+helped bring to Davis small businesses
- $60K+helped raise for charity
- 3M+viewers reached
You could hire a designer, a marketer and an event planner.
Or you could work with someone who does all three, quickly and effectively, and who knows who to call. The printer who can make your vision real. The reporter who covers your launch. The partner who helps you grow. That is the difference. That is me.
Selected work
Local character.
Lasting impressions.
From an unmistakable logo to an event that brings a whole town together. A look at the creative behind familiar local projects.
All the work
Events and experiencesZombie Bike Parade Festival
I direct the Zombie Bike Parade Festival, Davis' Halloween day, and I build its brand end to end: identity, marketing, media and sponsors.
Logos and branding100+ logos for local businesses
Mosaic Tea and Coffee, the Davis Bike Club March Madness, the Noise Violation Rally Band, Rob the Tile Guy, Ravata Solutions and many more.
WebsitesThe Perlman Center for Eye and Eyelid Surgery
A rebuilt practice website with appointment requests, a team page and billboard-ready branding, maintained for years.
Events and experiencesThe APAPA Jupiter Train float
Coordinated the creation of the float and led the parade unit three times, in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators and 3 million viewers on ABC, Hulu and Disney+.
Games and playCoffee Time, the Davis board game
Davis' beloved board game: 1,000 copies distributed, featured on most local outlets and TV, and archived at UC Davis.
How I can help
Your idea.
A clear way forward.
A focused design project or a bigger community initiative. We find the right scope, then make every piece work together.
Identity and graphic design
Logos, print pieces and a visual language that feels like you.
- Logos, mascots and animations
- Flyers, banners and posters
- Social media graphics
- Brand guidelines
- Clothing and apparel design
Websites and digital
Clear, useful websites that carry your brand online and bring in business.
- Website design and refreshes
- Landing pages, forms and blogs
- Basic e-commerce
- Ownership of your site and files
Local marketing
Campaigns, newsletters and creative that connect with your community.
- Local advertising
- Social media campaigns
- Email newsletters
- Media relations
Events and experiences
A shared purpose, a memorable identity and the details to bring it together.
- Event branding
- Promotional graphics
- Outreach strategy
- Sponsor and partner recruitment
Networking and advocacy
Twenty years of relationships in Davis, put to work for your project.
- Access to local partners and vendors
- Strategic community outreach
- Introductions to media and civic leaders
Video game design lessons
Private Unreal Engine lessons for kids and teens who want to make games.
- 2D texture art and 3D modeling
- Character and level design
- Blueprint scripting
- No coding experience required
Need it fast? I am known for delivering high-quality design in real time.
- Need a flyer in 24 hours? I have got you.
- Launching a campaign and need eyes now? Let us cut through the noise.
- Planning an event but cannot get local media to show up? I will make the calls.
- From logos to websites, I build the visuals that get attention.
- From e-blasts to local ads, I help you reach the people who matter.
New: AI, put to work
I implement AI better than most.
Websites and SEO, campaigns, a dozen social accounts at once, media and fundraising outreach, email newsletters and more. I ran the 2026 Zombie Bike Parade Festival this way, and I can set it up for you.
How I work
Take the leap.
We build the wings on the way.
Great ideas gain energy when they start moving. So we put something real on the drawing board right away, then we polish it together. You bring the vision; I bring the enthusiasm and immediate implementation. You will see progress from our very first meeting.
- Real drafts in the first meeting
- Confident decisions, made together
- Launch, learn, then polish
- You own every file, account and key
Packages
Valuable packages.
Real results.
Choose the package that fits your goals and I will help you launch with bold design, strategic local marketing and powerful community connections. Every package can be adjusted; these are the starting points that work.
Compare all the packagesThe Launch Pad
For individuals or businesses that need a set of key design assets to get moving: fast, focused and effective.
- Timeline
- Delivered in 1 week (need it faster? let us talk)
- Revisions
- 1 round of revisions, in person or on Zoom
The Flight Plan
For businesses and organizations ready for a bigger push. Everything in the Launch Pad plus major assets and options to fit your goals.
- Timeline
- Delivered in 3 to 4 weeks
- Revisions
- 2 rounds of revisions, in person or on Zoom
The Campaign Blueprint
For businesses and organizations that want a blueprint to keep. Everything in the Flight Plan plus your choice of 6 starter assets and 4 major assets.
- Timeline
- Delivered over 3 months
- Revisions
- Monthly strategy meetings with your team and partners
The Legacy Mission
For those ready to leave a lasting impression in Davis and beyond. Professional event planning and everything in the Campaign Blueprint, plus all assets.
- Timeline
- Delivered over 6 months
- Revisions
- Twice-monthly strategy meetings with your team and partners
Aaron's character reflects the spirit of Davis. His leadership, creativity and tireless work have made a lasting impact, whether through design, marketing, event planning or fostering collaborations. Aaron brings vision, execution and the ability to unite people behind shared goals.Dave RosenbergCity of Davis, Former Mayor of Davis, former Yolo County Supervisor
Aaron listens and delivers!Kim EichornLyon Real Estate, Davis, CA
I have worked with Aaron at Smartz Graphics for many years now. He has done and maintained my website as well as advertising material for my business, including the logo and multiple billboard designs. Aaron is imaginative, responsive and very stingy with our budget!Dr. PerlmanPerlman Center for Eye and Eyelid Surgery, Davis, CA
Aaron at Smartz Graphics is a true community gem. He brings the creativity and design talent you would expect from a top-tier designer, paired with the responsiveness, work ethic and initiative of a dedicated business owner. His rates are fair, his turnaround is quick, and he goes above and beyond, not just for his clients but for the community at large. I recommend him wholeheartedly.Hiedy KellisonDowntown NorCal, Davis, CA
Festival director, Davis, since 2019
I direct the Zombie Bike Parade Festival.
I direct the festival and I build its brand end to end: the identity, the posters and guides all over Davis every October, the marketing, the media and the sponsor program. Eight Halloweens in, it is a regionally known brand.
- Festival director
- Brand and identity
- Marketing and media
- Posters, guides and graphics
- Sponsors and partners
We are officially a regional brand.
A Zombie Love Letter to Davis, the 2026 thank-you letter
- Nearly 2,500people came through Community Park and Mace Ranch Park
- 5,000+an estimated crowd served on Halloween day in Davis
- $60k+helped raise for charity over eight festivals
- 1M+impressions for the brand across the region
- 5Sacramento TV stations covered the festival
- 11,000website visitors, two and a half times last year
- 200+sponsors, partners and media friends
- 70volunteer shifts, every one filled
Website launched by Action Flipbooks, who also photograph the festival.
Meet your creative neighbor
A designer.
A connector.
A Davis person.
I am Aaron, the person you will talk to and the designer behind the work. My practice brings graphic design, marketing and event planning together with twenty years of showing up for this community.
News
What is launching now.
A Zombie love letter to Davis: the 2026 festival
Nearly 2,500 people, five TV stations, more than one million impressions, and the festival has helped raise more than $60,000 for charity over eight festivals.
Zombie Bike Parade VIII rides on Saturday, October 31
The eighth annual festival: monster run, festival at Community Park, the parade, a stunt show and a trick-or-treat trail. Free, all ages.
Now teaching video game design in Unreal Engine
Private lessons for kids and teens in Davis who want to build games, not just play them.
Ready when you are. Let's get to work.
Book a working consult and we start on your project the same day: a single flyer, a full campaign, an AI system or a community-wide event.
