Sutherland Studios

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Sutherland Studios was started by Denise in December 1997. Initially we specialised in graphic and web design, but in recent years we have changed our focus to producing puzzles in a wide range of forms, from books to customised puzzles.

In earlier years we've worked with local, national, and international businesses and organisations on a variety of design projects, from logos and business cards to full corporate image jobs and web sites.

In 1998 Sutherland Studios designed the CD-ROM Reflections of Canberra. Images from the archives of the ACT Heritage Library for the Australian Capital Territory local government; it won an ACT Heritage Award, "for providing a valuable research and education tool on CD-ROM" in April 1999.

Nowadays we focus our efforts on writing high quality puzzles. We've written five specialist puzzle books to date (RSPCA, Royal Flying Doctors, Alice Springs School of the Air, two Canberra Puzzle Books). All research, writing, illustration, and layout is done in-house.

Currently Denise's regular weekly puzzles are syndicated through Auspac Media, and published regularly in various regional newspapers. You can discover more about how she writes her puzzles here.

We also design the covers for The Puzzle Wizard's World of Crosswords series (since Issue #30) and designed his new web site.

Denise was Technical Editor on Brain Games For Dummies, by Timothy Parker.

She is currently writing her first major book, Word Searches for Dummies, to be published by Wiley USA, due for release in April 2009 (USA/Canada).

Denise Sutherland

Denise has an Associate Diploma in Graphic Design (Canberra TAFE 1987), however science was her first love. She have most of a BSc from the Australian National University (suspended for medical reasons), won the 1983 Australian Institute of Physics Prize, and was a national finalist in the 1983 BHP Science Prize (Physics).

She has worked as a lab technician at CSIRO Plant Industry (1983-85), and was the internet resource developer and site manager for University of Melbourne's Bright Sparcs site, about the history of science and scientists in Australia, from 1996-97.

Denise is also an established collage and watercolour artist, with over 15 years' experience. A series of her coloured pencil food illustrations is syndicated through Image Zoo in Canada.

She is married to astrophysicist Dr Ralph Sutherland, and they live in Canberra with their two teenagers Rodger and Jenny. In her free time Denise enjoys knitting (to the point of obsession), middle eastern dance, BookCrossing, reading murder mysteries, gourmet cooking, and watercolour painting.

Client Testimonials

Denise worked with me to create a puzzle book for a major health insurance company in the United States. She was fast and very accurate in the puzzle materials that she supplied for our project. We couldn't have asked for better work or service. Denise pays attention to detail and is quality-minded in her work. We were very pleased with the end result, as well as with the entire process of working with Denise.

Cynthia Maniglia - Creative Director, Writer - The Copy Grove, Bensalem, PA, USA - 23 January 2007

I worked with Denise from Sutherland Studios on a puzzle book for a health care client. Although we are based on the East Coast USA and Denise is in Australia, it felt as if she were in the next room. She was creative, responsive and supplied us with on-target puzzles and illustrations. I would highly recommend using her services.

Joanne G. Lewis - Tango Vision, Inc. - 8 February 2007

Earlier this year, Denise worked with members of the community of Alice Springs School of the Air, to produce a puzzle book which could be sold as a fundraiser. Due to the geographical distance of our families, all communications took place by email, phone and fax. At all times, Denise was most accommodating, flexible and professional. She met all deadlines and was able to both accept and suggest changes as needed.

The finished product is of a very high standard. It is attractive and targets the audience we had in mind when we first contacted Denise. As a result the book is selling well and we receive many favourable comments.

Alice Springs School of the Air is very happy with the final product of the puzzle book, and I commend Denise for the work she contributed to ensure we now have something of which we feel proud.

Karen Blanchfield - Principal, Alice Springs School of the Air - 21 July 2004

The Fantastic Flying Doctors' Puzzle Book is an outstanding achievement and Denise should receive high commendation for her efforts.

Denise was always a delight to work with, responsive and creative in her interpretation of the brief. I have no hesitation in recommending Denise to others who might consider commissioning similar work from her.