Durable is a Portland-based creative studio rooted in the conviction that good design ages well.
Design Philosophy
At Durable, design is never mere decoration.
It’s structure. Foundation. The deliberate framework through which ideas take shape—and hold together—as life, business, and culture evolve.
We believe design should serve life, not complicate it.
It should function quietly, seamlessly, and with purpose—supporting growth without demanding constant reinvention.
Our work is anchored in care, clarity, and craft.
We build for timelessness, not spectacle. For utility, not noise. For lasting narratives, not fleeting moments.
And yes, we leave room for joy—for those small moments of surprise and delight that make design not just durable, but human.
We work best with entrepreneurs and teams who value quality over quantity, meaning over noise, and relationships over transactions.
Approach
We approach each collaboration as a partnership in creating something meaningful and enduring. Our process combines strategic vision with hands-on craftsmanship:
Listen deeply. Before designing, we immerse ourselves in your world—understanding your purpose, values, and aspirations.
Structure thoughtfully. We establish foundational systems and frameworks that can flex and grow with you.
Craft carefully. Every visual choice, every word, every interaction is considered with both immediate impact and long-term relevance in mind.
Build openly. We believe in transparent collaboration, bringing you into the process as a true partner rather than a distant client.
We work best with entrepreneurs and teams who value quality over quantity, meaning over noise, and relationships over transactions.
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Founder
Valerie Armstrong is a multidisciplinary designer, strategist, and creative leader with over a decade of experience bridging visual design, systems thinking, and strategic consulting.
Before founding Durable, Valerie served as a senior strategist at Context Partners and Interplay Collective, where she led creative direction for multi-stakeholder projects spanning public health initiatives, civic planning, and brand development for organizations like Nike, IKEA, and the City of Portland.
Her approach combines a craftsperson's attention to detail with a strategist's systems perspective—creating work that balances aesthetic sensitivity with organizational insight. Known for bringing form to ideas still taking shape, Valerie specializes in creating brand systems and communications that reflect intelligent calm rather than marketing noise.