Deatsdesign Receives Small Business Award

Diane and Stewart Deats , owners of Deatsdesign in Woodland Hills, were honored with the small business award by the Woodland Hills/Tarzana Chamber. The husband-and-wife team started their graphic and web design company in 1982. “We’ve changed through the years with different companies,” Diane said. When the Deatses started their home-based business, they had to perform graphics layout functions via typesetting machines. Once computers came along, they had to relearn their trade. “It all changed from 1980 to 1990,” she said. Other things have changed as well. In the 1980s, the Deatses designed record and LP covers. They now design packaging for compact discs. Today, the couple also designs print and digital brochures, book covers, Web site banners and ads. Their past and current clients include Johnson & Johnson, Hewlett Packard, Warner Music Group and AIG Sun America. During the Deatses first year in business, their gross sales were only $10,000. Since then, they have sold millions of dollars’ worth of graphic design products, Diane said. The couple still finds the time to give back to their community. They directed the Web site design for the Woodland Hills/Tarzana Chamber when the chambers merged, and they designed the program for the chamber’s inaugural celebration in January. Diane also serves as the chairwoman of the Public Relations and Marketing Committee for the chamber. As longtime parishioners of St. Bernardine of Siena in Woodland Hills, the Deatses donated part of the services for the church’s new brochure and dedication materials when the church was rededicated in 2001.